Piyush Goyal launches Bharat Startup Knowledge Registry portal to bring success for entrepreneurs

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently announced the launch of the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) portal in New Delhi under the Startup India program. 

The new digital platform aims to unify and empower India’s growing startup ecosystem by providing a one-stop solution for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

According to a press release, the name “BHASKAR,” meaning "Rising Sun," has been chosen to symbolize enlightenment, growth, and hope for the future of entrepreneurship in the country.

Goyal explained that BHASKAR aims to bring together "dreamers, doers, and disruptors" in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He emphasized the platform’s role in fostering collaboration, competition, and cooperation among entrepreneurs, promoting India as a global hub for innovation.

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Promoting inclusivity and innovation

During his keynote address, Goyal highlighted the government’s efforts to democratize the startup ecosystem, making it accessible and visible on a global stage.

“Technology and interconnectivity will help Indians build ‘Brand India’ as a tool to market our products and services across the world.”

He also said that a successful startup is the combination of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The BHASKAR portal is set to drive this by supporting entrepreneurs across all regions, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities, ensuring that innovation and opportunities are inclusive.

"The platform will help bring hope, aspirations and success for the entrepreneurs to kickstart ambitious revolutions," he said.

Empowering entrepreneurs

Goyal said the Indian government is focused on encouraging entrepreneurs to create jobs and treating failures as stepping stones to success.

He also suggested creating a Section 8 company to incorporate the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) into the new startup company. He said that handing out shares of the new company to recognise and encourage unicorns would encourage and empower the entrepreneurs. 

The Minister expressed the government’s aim to help startups reach global standards while maintaining integrity and quality, hoping that the next iteration, BHASKAR 2.0, would include further technological enhancements.

Catalyst for collaboration and growth

Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Amardeep Singh Bhatia, praised the BHASKAR initiative as a “laudatory step” that will unify stakeholders and startups from various regions, particularly smaller cities.

He said that the platform would enhance connectivity between startups and act as a catalyst for the Indian economy, ensuring that no region is left behind in the innovation-driven growth process.

"The Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry will act as a catalyst for innovation and will foster greater connectivity between startups, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, ensuring that innovation is inclusive and opportunities are accessible to all. This will enable regional startups to collaborate, grow, and contribute to the nation’s economic progress," Bhatia said. 

Key features of BHASKAR

The BHASKAR portal offers a range of features designed to support the startup ecosystem. It facilitates industry alliances by bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, technologies, and regions, fostering opportunities for cross-collaboration.

The platform also provides dynamic networking options, enabling startups to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals through personalized dashboards and peer-to-peer interaction tools.

Additionally, entrepreneurs can enhance their visibility by creating profile cards, allowing them to be easily discovered within the startup community.

The portal also assigns a personalized BHASKAR ID, which facilitates seamless access to services and efficient collaboration with other members.