As India’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive, National Startup Day serves as a reminder of the country’s transformative journey. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global leader in entrepreneurship, India’s startup scene is full of promise and potential. The ever growing startup ecosystem is not only driving the economic growth but also shaping the future of Indian market.
This milestone moment offers a deeper look into the remarkable journey of India's entrepreneurs, as they continue to break barriers, tackle complex challenges, and craft pioneering solutions. Industry leaders from various sectors reflect on the growth, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead for startups. Here's a look at their insights which they shared with DT as we embrace the future of Indian entrepreneurship.
A Shift Towards User-Centric Innovation
Khadim Batti, Co-founder and CEO of Whatfix, highlights the exciting shifts happening in India’s startup ecosystem. He says, “I see 2025 as a year of 'userization'—a fundamental shift in how technology is designed to meet the unique needs of individual digital users. Putting the onus on the technology to be user-savvy and not the other way around. With EX and CX taking priority, and rightly so, the focus will increasingly be on building personalised, intuitive solutions that can adapt to real-world user requirements, even more so with the Gen-AI integration across technologies. Keeping users and customers first, 50% of our product roadmap is directly influenced by customer feedback. This shift toward user-first innovation—focusing on individual needs rather than broad cohorts—is not only reshaping existing industries but also creating entirely new categories. It is positioning India as a global leader in digital transformation.”
Job Creation and Innovation through Startups
Archana Jahagirdar, Founder & Managing Partner of Rukam Capital, points out the transformative role that startups play in job creation and market innovation. She states, “Startups have become key drivers of job creation and innovation, generating over 15.5 lakh jobs and reshaping employment trends in emerging sectors like quick commerce. Unlike traditional firms that primarily create replacement roles, startups pioneer entirely new business categories, redefining markets and fostering competition.”
Startup Movements that Make a Difference
Sameet Gupte, Co-Founder and CEO of EvoluteIQ, refers to Indian startups as “movements” that go beyond technology innovation to make a real-life impact. He comments, "To me personally, Indian startups are not just businesses—they are “movements”. Fueled by bold ideas and a fearless commitment by a new generation of entrepreneurs to create something extraordinary, they are “movements” with a purpose. These “movements” are not just about technology innovation or funding – these are about real life impacts. It’s about the audacity of the Indian entrepreneurs to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose. It is this new age spirit of innovation that is making the Indian startup ecosystem not just exciting, but also unstoppable. India’s startups are shaping the future, and I am proud to be part of this incredible journey."
Revolutionizing Industries through Web3 and AI
Vikram Subburaj, CEO of Giottus, notes that India’s startup ecosystem is a powerful engine of growth. He notes, “India’s start-up ecosystem, with over 1.50 lakh start-ups and over 100 unicorns, has emerged as a powerful engine of growth. Start-ups have not only created millions of jobs but also redefined industries through bold ideas and resilient entrepreneurship. As we celebrate National Start-Up Day 2025, start-ups in sectors like Web3, AI, and crypto are at the forefront of this revolution. As new companies solve new-age problems, there is a paradigm shift in the way business is transacted, and value is created. Effectively, the start-up revolution has enhanced transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency.”
Democratization of Entrepreneurship
Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Co-Founder of Marut Drones, highlights the increasing representation of non-metro cities in the startup landscape. He says, “A significant milestone in the evolution of the Indian startup ecosystem has been the rise of startups from non-metro cities, which now account for 51% of DPIIT-registered ventures. This shift highlights the democratization of entrepreneurship in India, driven by increased internet penetration, digital financial inclusion, and government-backed initiatives like Startup India, SMAM, and NAMO Drone Didi Scheme. Entrepreneurs from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are uniquely positioned to solve hyper-local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, mobility, and other critical sectors, creating lasting social and economic impact.”
A Growing Focus on Clean Energy
Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder & Director of Freyr Energy, is excited about the growing role of startups in driving India’s clean energy transition. She notes, “Startups are at the forefront of driving change in clean energy, and it’s truly inspiring to witness their impact. Solar energy has become a cornerstone of India’s sustainable development goals, with supportive policies like subsidies, tax incentives, and streamlined approvals playing a critical role in enabling their growth. The surge in climate tech investments is a testament to the potential of sustainable technologies, with private equity and venture capitalists stepping up to back these innovations. With the right support, startups can scale their efforts, significantly contributing to India’s clean energy transition and the achievement of global climate goals."
Health-Tech Startups Transforming Healthcare
Dr. Harshit Jain, Founder & Global CEO of Doceree, sees the healthcare sector as a key area for startup growth. He emphasizes, “The emergence of 211 new healthcare startups and a 28.03% growth in health-tech investment size in 2024 highlights the growing confidence investors have in health-tech, driven by its relentless demand from both businesses and healthcare requirements of patients. In 2025 and beyond, sustainable and impactful growth will be the cornerstone of attracting investor interest. Success will strongly lie on leveraging technology and enablement to align with the goals of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, particularly its emphasis on digital health records, as this initiative holds the potential to significantly enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. Nonetheless, as over 4,000 startups are now using AI and ML technologies, healthcare leaders in India are breaking old moulds and are driving a significant shift in the healthcare business landscape in 2025 and beyond.”
Celebrating Resilience and Innovation
Atul Luthra, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at 5Tattva, underscores the importance of cybersecurity in driving innovation. He commented, “Startups are not just businesses; they are the catalysts for transformation, solving real-world problems with agility and creativity. At 5Tattva, we believe in empowering businesses with robust cybersecurity solutions to protect their innovations and ensure sustainable growth. On this day, we encourage budding entrepreneurs to prioritize security as they scale and embrace technology as a lever for resilience. The startup ecosystem in India is thriving, and with continued support from the government, investors, and industry stakeholders, we are confident that the nation will emerge as a global leader in innovation. Let’s celebrate the visionaries who dare to dream and work tirelessly to turn their dreams into reality.”
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of National Startup Day
Sanandan Sudhir, Founder & CEO of On2Cook, sees National Startup Day as a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and economic growth. According to him, “My heart swells with pride every time I see a new spark of innovation in our country. National Startup Day isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s a reminder of the tremendous potential that lies in our 1.4 billion-strong population. Even if a tiny fraction of us embrace entrepreneurship, the ripple effects could reshape our economy and our place in the world. From my own journey, I’ve learned that turning a promising idea into a thriving business requires more than just determination. It takes a fail fast and never-give-up attitude, mentors, investors, supportive policies, and a nurturing environment—one where people aren’t afraid to dream big and where failure is seen as a stepping stone rather than a dead end. I believe it’s about time for all of us—policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and everyday citizens—to stand together and bolster our startup ecosystem.”
Disruption in 2025
San Banerjee, Co-Founder & CEO of ADDA.io, believes that 2025 is a year primed for disruption. San says, “2025 is a perfect year for disruption. With a newly corrected funding scene, focus on profitability, balancing the costs of AI with the potential cost savings it brings, and new problems that have become solvable with greater compute power. National Startup Day celebrates the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines India's startup ecosystem. At ADDA.io, we are proud to contribute to building smarter, safer, and more connected communities across the country. This day is a reminder that every idea, when nurtured, has the potential to create a lasting impact. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and grow together to shape the future of living in India. Rise High!”
Empowering Startups in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities
Karun Tadepalli, CEO and Co-founder of ByteXL comments on the importance of supporting India’s growing startup ecosystem. He points out, “Startups are not just businesses; they are revolutionary visions that address critical problems, generate employment, and stimulate the economy. From revolutionizing digital payments through UPI to achieving breakthroughs in space technology, Indian businesses are at the forefront, showcasing the strength of fortitude, creativity, and vision. As we move towards a future powered by creativity and technology, it is essential that we support this growing ecosystem with policies that support accessibility, foster innovation, and elevate talent across the country. By harnessing the huge talent pool and promoting equitable development, startups in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, in particular, have the opportunity to completely rewrite our growth story.”
Shift Towards Manufacturing to Boost Employment and Growth
Murali Bukkapatnam, Chair, TiE Global Board of Trustees 2025 celebrates the remarkable growth of India's startup ecosystem, noting, “Most of these startups primarily cater to the service industry in India and abroad. With the right mentorship, investments, and government subsidies, startups can shift their focus from service-driven growth to manufacturing, which will help boost the economy in the long run and create more employment opportunities. Skill development programs to develop technical and managerial skills along with public-private collaborations to bridge the gap between the services and manufacturing sector, are the need of the hour. As of 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized 1,40,803 entities as startups. Since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016, DPIIT-recognized startups have created over 15.53 lakh direct jobs. We have to ride the wave and utilize the youth population of the country.”
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