Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called every participant at Startup Mahakumbh a “Maharathi” — a skilled warrior driving India’s startup revolution. “Each of the 2,400 participants and 3,000 exhibitors is on the path to success,” he said. His message was clear: the ecosystem thrives on collective effort.
He urged young founders to aim higher and break past current limits. He expressed faith in their ability to shape India’s “Amrit Kaal.” “Let the Startup Mahakumbh ignite aspirations that go beyond the current realm of reality,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the massive jump in footfall — from 3,000 last year to 2.3 lakh this year — as a sign of India’s growing innovation momentum.
A major announcement was the launch of a Startup India Desk under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. This will act as a national helpline for startups — a simple 4-digit toll-free number, available in regional languages.
Goyal said the startup helpline will give budding entrepreneurs a direct way to voice concerns, suggest changes, and report challenges. It’s part of the government’s push to make it easier for startups to grow.
The goal is clear: give founders a direct line to flag issues, suggest reforms, report harassment or corruption, and get help on regulatory questions. “If you face any problems with government officials, have a suggestion for regulatory reform, call that helpline,” said Minister Goyal. He added that the desk could also help when a new technology falls outside the scope of existing laws.
Multilingual access will make the service more inclusive, reaching founders across the country.
Second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)
The government has approved the Second Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) with a ₹10,000 crore corpus. This year, ₹2,000 crore will be disbursed to SIDBI as the first instalment.
A large share of the fund is earmarked for seed funding, especially for small startups and deep-tech ventures. It will focus on cutting-edge areas like AI, robotics, quantum computing, machine learning, precision manufacturing, and biotech.
The goal is to back early-stage founders working on disruptive tech, helping them scale prototypes, fund R&D, and speed up go-to-market efforts. “Through this fund, we aim to foster the development of cutting-edge technologies,” said Minister Goyal.
The move is also meant to mobilise patient capital for research-heavy startups with long gestation cycles and high capital needs.
Minister Goyal reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the startup journey, stating, “The Government is here to support your journey, not control it.”
Minister Goyal pointed out that 40% of the applicants for the Maharathi Grand Challenge came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities indicating a clear sign that entrepreneurial energy is spreading beyond metros. He also highlighted the rise of women-led startups, saying, “Women are taking a lead in India’s development and contributing with great enthusiasm.”
He urged SIDBI to set up at least one support centre in every state, offering shared infrastructure for early-stage founders. Referring to a startup that had to buy its own 3D printer, he stressed the need for accessible prototyping tools. “We must unlock India’s full potential through facilitation, not regulation,” he said.
Call for Focus on Deep-Tech and National Priorities
Minister Goyal called upon India’s youth to lead the way in emerging sectors like AI, semiconductors, and deep-tech, aligning with the nation’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision. The allocation from the FFS for deep-tech reflects the government’s intent to shift focus towards these critical areas.
At the Startup Mahakumbh, Minister Goyal’s made comments expressing concern that Indian startups were predominantly focused on sectors like grocery delivery and ice cream rather than high-tech areas. He questioned, “Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls… Is that the destiny of India?” and drew comparisons with China’s focus on robotics, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing.
The remarks drew mixed reactions from the startup ecosystem. Some welcomed the comments, while others called the comparison unfair. Zepto cofounder and CEO Aadit Palicha noted that his quick commerce startup contributes over ₹1,000 crore in taxes annually and employs 1.5 lakh people. Aarin Capital chairman T.V. Mohandas Pai also weighed in, saying that comparing Indian startups to their Chinese counterparts isn’t a fair benchmark.
