Parliament Question: Startups India Initiative

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2648. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 05TH AUGUST, 2025. STARTUPS INDIA INITIATIVE 2648. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री (a) the details of the total number of startups recognised under the Startup India initiative since its inception State-wise and year-wise; (b) the details of the initiatives that have been taken to support women-led startups and promote inclusive entrepreneurship; (c) the details of the international partnerships to enable cross-border collaboration between Indian startups and global investors, incubators, and accelerators; (d) the details of the steps being taken to create an Al-driven National Startup Registry with real-time tracking of regulatory compliance, mentorship needs and investment readiness; (e) whether the Government has introduced or plans to introduce credit guarantees or alternative financing models to assist startups in accessing non-equity capital, if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether any studies have been conducted to measure the socio-economic impact of Indian startups in terms of innovation, income generation and digital inclusion, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a): As of 30th June 2025, a total of 1,80,683 entities have been recognised as startups under Startup India initiative by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The State/Union Territory (UT)-wise and year-wise number of entities recognised as startups by DPIIT is placed as Annexure-I. (b): The Government is implementing certain specific schemes/programmes which are supporting women-led startups and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship. The details of such Government initiatives are placed as Annexure-II. As a result of such efforts, of the total of 1,80,683 entities recognised as startups, 87,285 have at least one-woman director/partner, as on 30th June 2025.(c): The Government has undertaken multiple initiatives for international partnerships with the aim to enable cross-border collaboration between Indian startups and global stakeholders. These include hosting flagship events like Startup Mahakumbh and Global Venture Capital Summits to connect startups with investors, incubators, and other stakeholders. Bilateral initiatives (such as Startup Bridges) to support cross-border knowledge exchange and help Indian startups expand internationally through mentorship, incubation, and networking. Furthermore, through multilateral forums, such as the Startup20 Engagement Group established during India's G20 Presidency, the Government fosters global collaboration for Indian startup ecosystem. Also, delegations are led to prominent international startup events, providing a platform for showcasing innovations, building networks, and gaining global visibility. (d): Startup India portal (https://www.startupindia.gov.in/) is the national portal for startup ecosystem which is implemented as part of the Startup India Action Plan. It is a comprehensive portal for startups to stay up to date on policy matters, regulations, and access various initiatives, and Schemes. Through a blockchain- based certificate verification platform, certificates are issued to recognized startups through the Startup India portal which can be utilized by various stakeholders to verify the authenticity of the information submitted by startups, for availing support under different Schemes/programs of the Government. Startup India portal also enables and promotes Application Programming Interface (API) with various stakeholders including startup portals of States/UTs, National Single Window System and Government e-Marketplace (GeM), etc. thereby synchronizing startup recognition and authenticity verification mechanisms. The Startup India portal also includes various microsites to enable interconnectedness amongst larger startup ecosystem. Major national programs under Startup India initiative such as States’ Startup Ranking (SRF) exercise, National Startup Awards, Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth (MAARG) mentorship program, etc. are hosted through such micro-sites. Startup India portal also hosts and assists in managing innovation challenges for various line Ministries/Departments and partner institutes. (e): The Government has introduced credit guarantees and alternative financing models to assist startups in accessing non-equity capital. The Government is implementing Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to provide credit guarantee against credit instruments extended by Member Institutions (MI) to finance eligible DPIIT recognised startups. This Scheme enables collateral free debt funding to startups. Further, funding in the form of grants and debt is enabled through Schemes/initiatives such as the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), IN- SPACe Seed fund, Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development programme, National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) programmes, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) programmes, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), TechnologyDevelopment Fund (TDF), TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs) Scheme, and Research Development and Innovation (RDI) amongst others. (f): Under the Startup India initiative, impact assessment studies have been undertaken for the flagship Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme and the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). The studies note that FFS has supported seeding domestic fund managers, multiplier effect on capital raise by AIFs through FFS, and employment generation and diversity in startups. The studies have also highlighted the contribution of the FFS in the development of a strong talent pool in fund management by anchoring funds, nurturing fund managers and promoting good governance practices within AIFs. Aggregate revenues of the supported startups have grown over the period, which is expected to have been accompanied with a corresponding increase in employment as well. For SISFS, the impact assessment study highlights the Scheme’s role in providing much-needed seed capital for startups which is catalyzing the startup ecosystem in the country. Further, a considerable number of surveyed startups in the study reported increase in their annualized turnover and employees count, following their receipt of funding from the SISFS, indicating a growth in their business operations and revenue generation. *******ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2648 FOR ANSWER ON 05.08.2025. The State/Union Territory (UT)-wise and year-wise number of entities recognised as Startups by DPIIT, as on 30th June 2025 are as follows: State/UT 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Andaman and 0 1 2 8 5 13 9 13 20 6 Nicobar Islands Andhra Pradesh 4 103 161 179 235 298 381 585 606 598 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 2 2 0 4 9 18 13 24 Assam 10 35 68 71 119 190 285 361 347 261 Bihar 1 47 148 158 265 390 526 813 842 576 Chandigarh 9 22 27 41 55 69 81 126 102 59 Chhattisgarh 11 57 121 166 155 167 237 362 460 236 Dadra and Nagar 0 4 1 3 5 12 12 11 16 10 Haveli and Daman and Diu Delhi 74 742 1190 1451 1816 2216 2580 3160 2852 1840 Goa 2 20 44 43 67 81 107 98 125 87 Gujarat 29 299 449 644 881 1728 2282 3295 3444 2168 Haryana 28 270 488 730 831 1071 1335 1743 1731 1178 Himachal Pradesh 0 9 17 31 41 56 120 144 145 83 Jammu and 2 15 47 38 64 131 170 246 275 222 Kashmir Jharkhand 2 35 88 89 165 191 239 337 331 229 Karnataka 67 889 1212 1746 1776 2157 2568 3034 3173 2105 Kerala 25 172 333 669 710 923 1078 1296 1155 786 Ladakh 0 0 1 0 1 1 5 5 5 1 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 Madhya Pradesh 7 108 297 335 427 562 898 1267 1194 789 Maharashtra 93 1107 1662 2227 2736 3736 4812 5816 5736 3745 Manipur 0 4 7 6 13 37 31 26 55 32 Meghalaya 0 0 2 6 0 9 10 18 17 10 Mizoram 0 0 2 1 1 2 6 13 16 11 Nagaland 1 4 2 2 5 7 7 22 35 18 Odisha 4 115 168 187 280 397 451 620 547 392 Puducherry 0 3 16 11 14 17 30 43 27 30 Punjab 7 31 70 99 146 244 294 443 406 273 Rajasthan 14 140 246 358 503 622 992 1445 1246 899 Sikkim 0 1 0 2 1 4 2 2 0 4 Tamil Nadu 52 272 459 632 772 1107 1811 2816 2656 1447 Telangana 20 328 512 620 819 994 1381 1760 1809 1404 Tripura 0 0 4 7 23 12 27 23 45 23 Uttar Pradesh 28 414 789 905 1401 1980 2582 3434 3487 2449 Uttarakhand 4 45 69 98 114 162 236 271 269 211 West Bengal 8 181 276 320 405 692 1002 1174 1107 771 Total 502 5473 8980 11885 14852 20282 26596 34842 34294 22977 ****ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2648 FOR ANSWER ON 05.08.2025. Programs implemented to support women-led startups and promote inclusive entrepreneurship: 1. To promote flow of both equity and debt to women led startups, 10% of the fund in the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme operationalized by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is reserved for women-led startups. 2. Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) led by women are eligible to be considered for a higher level of management fee (0.1% per annum). The same benefit is also extended to AIFs which are focused on women led startups. 3. Under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), for availing the guarantee cover, the Member Institution pays Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF) of 2% p.a. of the disbursement/outstanding amount. For units from the North East region as well as those of women entrepreneurs, the Member Institution pays a standard rate of 1.5% p.a. of the disbursement/outstanding amount. 4. Women Capacity Development Programme (WING), a unique Capacity Development Program for women-led startups, to identify and support both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs in their startup journeys. The workshops open to variety of business sectors including Tech, Construction, Product, Machine, Food, Agriculture, Education, etc. serve as a platform for emerging women entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss the key challenges facing women entrepreneurs. WING workshops create a conducive environment to share best practices and experiences in overcoming challenges and to gain insights learned from the business models adopted in the Indian context. 5. A Virtual Incubation Program for Women Entrepreneurs was conducted to support women-led tech startups with pro-bono acceleration support. 6. Startup India Hub: A webpage dedicated to women entrepreneurs has been designed on the Startup India portal. The page includes various policy measures for women entrepreneurs by both Central and State Governments. 7. ASCEND Startup Workshop Series and Women for Startups Workshops: The Government organized a series of startup workshops - ASCEND (Accelerating Startup Calibre & Entrepreneurial Drive), for the entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, and students from North-eastern region. In addition, the workshops are conducted with a specific focus on women entrepreneurs across the northeastern States. 8. SuperStree Podcast: With a vision to inspire a greater number of women across all regions in India to become entrepreneurs, the SuperStree video podcast series has been launched on women in the Indian Startup Ecosystem. The podcast spreads awareness related to innovations from women and to further strengthen women entrepreneurship in the country. 9. Startup Learning Program for Women in Technology and Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs Program were conducted to support women entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, business support, product and market support, and investor connect.10. Through various awareness programmes and capacity building programmes organized by the Government, and through print media and social media platforms, the Government also creates awareness about the existing schemes which support micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs. 11. Women For Startups: State Workshops for Women Entrepreneurs held across States to build the capacity of aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs. The workshops focused on government scheme awareness, mock pitching, and finance-related training. 12. President's Interaction with Women Entrepreneurs: As part of the “The President with the People” initiative, women entrepreneurs had the opportunity to interact with the Hon’ble President of India. The interaction highlighted the role of women- led startups in driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to India’s growing startup ecosystem. The Hon’ble President acknowledged their efforts in turning ideas into ventures and emphasized the importance of their success in inspiring future generations. 13. The States’ Startup Ranking on support to startup ecosystems is primarily an exercise to identify good practices across all the Indian states. The evaluation includes a specific provision to gauge the formulation and implementation of policies and special incentives to promote women-led startups in each State/UT. 14. To identify the depth, quality and spread of innovation, inclusivity and diversity, and entrepreneurship in country, the Government instituted the National Startup Awards (NSA). NSA recognizes and promotes startups across sectors and special categories including a special category and award for women-led startups. 15. Pitch Forward, an initiative to provide women entrepreneurs, especially from non-metros, a platform to connect with marquee investors. It offers startups across various stages and sectors the opportunity to pitch directly to venture capital funds. 16. Other Ministries and Departments are also implementing various programmes and initiatives to support women entrepreneurship and capacity building such as Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship Development for Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs), Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY), SANKALP: HEW (Supportive Action for Nurturing and Knowledge-Based Advancement, Last-Mile Delivery and Potential Realization of Women : Hub for Empowerment of Women), Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WEDP), Science and Technology for Women (STW) programme, Swavalambini - Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), Skill Upgradation and Mahila Coir Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), as well as awareness programmes and incentives in public procurement amongst others. *******