India’s goal is to lead globally in startup trends, tech in coming decade: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a programme on the occasion of National Startup Day, in New Delhi on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

India has the third largest startup eco-system in the world, and the goal is for the country to lead globally in startup trends and technology in the coming decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an event to mark a decade of Startup India initiative on Friday.

The Prime Minister said Startup India was a “revolution” that had transformed India into the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem. The number of start-ups had grown to 2 lakh today from 500 in 2014. Today, India had nearly 125 unicorns, proving India’s entrepreneurial capabilities.

 “Our goal should be to lead the world in the next ten years in India’s new start-up trends and technologies,” he said.

Launched on January 16, 2016, Startup India aims to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and create a generation of job creators by providing support. Start-ups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) are eligible for benefits such as tax incentives, prioritisation of startups in public procurement, availing assistance of a self-certification compliance system with respect to labour and environmental laws and exemption from inspections of their place of business.

The PM noted that risk-taking had become mainstream and start-ups are increasingly driving employment, innovation, and global competitiveness.

“The reform express that India has embarked on has created a very conducive atmosphere for startups to venture into areas previously unthinkable, be it space, defence and more. I am proud that our Startups are playing a pivotal role in building an `Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. We remain committed to supporting our youth who want to take risks and become problem solvers,” Modi said in a social media post on `X’

India’s free trade agreements and partnerships with various countries and blocs would also help in helping startups grow further, Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. The Commerce Department  is looking at creating a separate segment for startups under the Export Promotion Mission to help budding entrepreneurs explore international markets for their products, Goyal said at a press briefing on Friday.

The government has approved a ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to help exporters increase shipments to new markets amidst high tariffs imposed by the US.

“We are looking at creating a separate pathway under the EPM for start-ups…Our efforts will be that all those who have registered with the DPIIT … will also be a part of exhibitions across the world,” he said.,” he said, adding that the Ministry is focusing on new products, new markets and new exporters.

Published on January 16, 2026