Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan in the national capital is set to host the Mahakumbh of startup companies. This three-day event, dubbed as the Startup Mahakumbh, is poised to catapult Indian startups onto the global stage.

Background:

• Ranjan Anand, Managing Director of Peak 15, highlights India’s burgeoning innovation landscape, positioning it as a global innovator.
• Despite India’s ascent in the startup world, recent investment figures show a decline, signaling a need for renewed investor interest.
• Investment in Indian startups plunged by 72 percent in 2023, marking the lowest in seven years.

Government’s Vision:

• Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, underscores India’s rising stature in the global startup ecosystem.
• India aims to elevate its innovation ranking from 40th globally, showcasing ambition to foster an environment ripe for startups.
• Startup Mahakumbh is envisioned as an annual flagship event aimed at catalyzing the growth of India’s startup ecosystem.

Event Highlights:

• Over 1,000 startups, 50 unicorns, 500 incubators, and numerous investors are expected to participate, fostering networking and collaboration.
• An estimated 5,000 delegations from 23 countries and 50,000 business visitors are anticipated, amplifying the event’s global impact.
• Sanjay Nair, former CEO of KKR India, emphasizes the maturation of India’s startup ecosystem and the event’s role in facilitating investor-startup connections.

Theme and Activities:

• The main theme of the event, ‘Bharat Innovates,’ underscores India’s innovative prowess.
• Activities include mentorship clinics, pitch competitions, leadership talks, panel discussions, workshops, and activities by startups and future entrepreneurs.
• The event is inclusive, featuring startups not only from metropolitan cities but also from small and medium cities and districts across India.

Industry Collaboration:

• Led by prominent industry organizations like ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Incubation and Advisory Foundation, TiE, and Indian Venture and Alternative Capital Association.
• Prashant Prakash, partner at Essel, highlights the importance of showcasing regional diversity within the Indian startup ecosystem.

Startup Mahakumbh embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration, showcasing India’s startup prowess to the world. With government support, industry collaboration, and a diverse lineup of participants, the event promises to be a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global startup powerhouse.