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Startup India at 10: Modi Marks National Startup Day, Sets AI–Deep Tech Push

The government outlined a next phase prioritizing deep tech and AI through targeted funding with closer corporate–startup partnerships.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 10th‑anniversary event in New Delhi, calling Startup India a “revolution” and engaging founders at Bharat Mandapam.
  • Nearly 44,000 startups were registered in 2025, the highest annual addition since the initiative began, according to the Prime Minister.
  • India now counts over 200,000 DPIIT‑recognised startups, about 2.1 million jobs and roughly 120–125 unicorns valued at more than $350 billion.
  • DPIIT signaled a pivot toward deep tech and AI and is formalizing corporate tie‑ups, with officials urging companies to route problem statements to startups for supply‑chain solutions.
  • Funding tools are being steered to this shift, with the ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds’ next phase focused on deep tech alongside the Seed Fund Scheme and reported gains in tier‑2/3 and women‑led entrepreneurship.