Over 73,000 Indian startups have at least one woman director', says govt report

Over 73,000 Indian startups have at least one woman director, the "Indian Startup Ecosystem Report" says.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which shared the report, credits this to the easy availability of affordable internet, coupled with a young and dynamic workforce in the past decade.

The report said that nearly 1.57 lakh startups are supported by the government of India. Of these, nearly half are led by women.

A vibrant startup ecosystem

Over the last decade, cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR, have become key innovation hubs. A young and tech-savvy workforce, coupled with the widespread availability of affordable internet, has helped fuel this growth. 

The report said that many of these startups are using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to address both local and global challenges.

This culture of innovation is strengthened by incubators, accelerators, and mentoring networks, which help startups bridge grassroots challenges with modern tech-based solutions.

Government initiatives boost growth

The Indian government has taken several steps to nurture this thriving ecosystem. The flagship Startup India program, launched in 2016, has been central to these efforts.

As of December 25, 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized 157,066 startups, with over 759,303 users registered on its portal.

Other key initiatives include:  

1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Offers infrastructure and grants to innovators.  
2. National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI): Provides financial support to emerging businesses.  
3. Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH): Launched in 2021 with a budget of Rs 99 crore, aiming to support 300 software product startups over four years. Selected startups can receive up to Rs 40 lakh through accelerators.

Expanding global footprint

India has become the world’s third-largest startup hub, with over 100 unicorns—startups valued at more than $1 billion.

According to the Startup India International Guide, Indian startups are increasingly partnering with global corporations and entering international markets. India’s leadership in affordable technology solutions, such as UPI and Aadhaar-enabled services, is inspiring similar innovations globally.

Additionally, India’s unicorns are outpacing global peers in valuation growth, proving that the ecosystem’s foundation is robust and scalable.