Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Friday said that Startup India has evolved from a government initiative into a defining national movement, shaped by millions of dreams and the aspirations of young Indians. Addressing startup founders, innovators and entrepreneurs at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the occasion of National Startup Day, the Prime Minister said the initiative reflects the spirit of a confident New India focused on solving real-world problems through innovation.
The Prime Minister noted that in just ten years, India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with the number of startups rising from fewer than 500 in 2014 to over 2 lakh today, while unicorns have grown from four to nearly 125. Indian startups, he said, are increasingly launching IPOs, generating employment and attracting global attention. He highlighted that nearly 44,000 startups were registered in 2025 alone, the highest ever in a single year.
Interacting with young innovators from sectors such as agriculture, fintech, mobility, healthcare and sustainability, the Prime Minister said their confidence and ambition signal a new India driven by solutions, not limitations. He added that Startup India has provided young entrepreneurs the freedom and ecosystem to dream big and innovate boldly.
Addressing the event, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal said that Startup India has fundamentally transformed India’s economic and entrepreneurial landscape. Recalling the launch of the initiative in 2016, he said India had around 400 startups at the time, compared to over 2 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups today, which have collectively generated around 21 lakh jobs.
