India Becomes 3rd-Largest Startup Hub! 157000 Recognised Ventures, 73000 Women-Led Startups Drive Innovation

India's startup ecosystem is booming with remarkable achievements. As of December 25, 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized 157,066 startups, and 759,303 users have registered on the official portal. Among these, over 73,000 startups are led by women, showcasing the growing role of women entrepreneurs in shaping India’s innovation landscape.

Let’s explore how India is emerging as a global startup powerhouse.

Indian Startups: The World’s 3rd Largest Ecosystem

India has cemented its position as the third-largest startup hub globally, with over 100 unicorns leading the charge. Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have become epicenters of innovation, attracting talented entrepreneurs with groundbreaking ideas.

In 2024, 13 startups went public, raising an impressive ₹29,200 crores through IPOs. This included ₹14,672 crores from fresh issues and ₹14,574 crores from Offer for Sale (OFS). These milestones highlight the growing financial strength and global competitiveness of Indian startups.

Innovation Powered by Technology

Indian startups are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address local and global challenges. Sectors like fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce are thriving, thanks to affordable internet access and a dynamic workforce.

The Indian Startup Ecosystem Report highlights the extensive use of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) by startups. These innovations are solving critical problems, reinforcing India’s status as a hub for technology-driven growth.

Strong Government Support Boosting Startups

The government has played a pivotal role in fostering the startup ecosystem. The Startup India programme, launched in 2016, has been instrumental in providing resources and support to entrepreneurs.

Initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) offer infrastructure and financial aid to innovators. Additionally, the SAMRIDH scheme is set to support 300 software startups over four years with a ₹99 crore outlay, offering funding up to ₹40 lakhs per startup to scale their operations