The Startup Mahakumbh event, organised by ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), was an astounding success. The event was successfully conducted at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from 18 to 20 of March. The Government of India said that the event was attended by over 2000 startups, 1000 investors, 100 unicorns, 300 incubators and accelerators, 3,000 conference delegates, 10 country delegations, 3000 future entrepreneurs and 50,000 business visitors from across the country. Startup Mahakumbh was also supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Invest India.
Narendra Modi, prime minister of India, who inaugurated the event said that the youth of the country need to be applauded for developing the entrepreneurship mindset, and becoming job creators instead of job seekers. “India is the third largest startup ecosystem with 1.25 lakh startups involving 12 lakh youth who are directly linked with them” said the prime minister at the event. The Prime Minister underlined the contributions of the youth of India in making it the fifth largest economy in the world from the 11th position and also highlighted the role to be played by startups in fulfilling the guarantee to make India the third largest economy in the third term.
What Attendees Got to Witness at Startup Mahakumbh
The event featured a plethora of activities, including keynote addresses from industry leaders and policymakers emphasizing the pivotal role of startups in India’s economic development. The Future Entrepreneurs Day aimed to instill entrepreneurial spirit among 3,000 selected individuals from colleges and incubators nationwide. Ten thematic pavilions showcased diverse sectors such as:
- Deeptech.
- AI and SaaS.
- Fintech.
- Agritech.
- Biotech and pharma.
- Climate tech.
- Gaming and e-sports.
- D2C.
- B2B and manufacturing.
- Incubators.
Engaging panel discussions explored various topics such as fostering creativity in startups, the future of the ecosystem, and scaling businesses globally. Actionable workshops, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities connected investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, fostering potential collaborations. Interaction with DPIIT officials provided insights into government initiatives supporting startups, while dedicated exhibitions facilitated interactions and collaborations between startups and investors. Mentorship sessions from seasoned entrepreneurs equipped aspiring founders with necessary skills for the startup journey
