India celebrates National Startup Day on January 16, marking a decade under the transformative Startup India initiative.
Over the years, Startup India has helped boost innovation, enabled job creation and positioned India as a global hub for startups building world-leading solutions. Despite the challenges, the Startup India initiative has helped entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, capital and technical expertise.
We asked a few startup founders what they thought about National Startup Day, and their hopes and experiences from it. Here’s what they had to say:
Anurag Gupta, Co-founder of Stemrobo Technologies
“On National Startup Day, we are reminded that the future is shaped early, inside classrooms, where curiosity is encouraged and learning is hands-on. When students are given the freedom to question, experiment, and learn from failure, they develop resilience and problem-solving skills that will matter far more than any single technology. For us, entrepreneurship is about enabling this mindset at scale, empowering young minds with the confidence, creativity, and skills to shape a future we are committed to building responsibly, because after all we are empowering the generation who will shape the future of India.”
Nikul Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of IndieSemiC Pvt Ltd
“National Startup Day is an opportunity to reflect on how policy can shape India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. India accounts for nearly 20% of the global chip design talent, yet a large share of intellectual property is still commercialised overseas. Schemes such as the Design-Linked Incentive have helped early-stage design startups move from concepts to prototypes, but the next phase requires deeper support. This includes access to affordable EDA tools, shared prototyping and validation infrastructure, and stronger alignment between academia, startups and large manufacturers. Consistent policy execution and long-term funding visibility will be critical to help design-led startups scale, protect IP domestically and contribute meaningfully to India’s goal of building a self-reliant and globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem.”
Shetal Mehta, Co-Founder of Suchi Semicon
“National Startup Day is a reminder of how India’s startup ecosystem is moving beyond digital platforms into deep-tech and manufacturing-led innovation. Today, India has over 1.6 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups and has created more than 16.6 lakh direct jobs, with a growing share coming from hardware, electronics and advanced manufacturing. In sectors like semiconductors, startups are addressing critical gaps in assembly, testing and supply chain localisation, which are essential for reducing import dependence. The India Semiconductor Mission, with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore, has helped bring focus to these areas, but long-term success will depend on execution, skilled talent and global integration. As the ecosystem matures, startups that combine technology with manufacturing discipline will play a key role in building resilient, globally competitive industries for India’s future
Deepak Agrawal, Co-founder and CBO, Proventus Agrocom Limited (ProV)
“India today is uniquely positioned to build not just for its own consumers, but for the global market. From our position as a startup company focusing on healthy snacks, we see a considerable transition in the Indian food & beverage marketplace; consumers are now making food choices based on health rather than just taste. Modern retail, e-commerce, and quick commerce have opened powerful new channels, allowing young brands to reach consumers faster and more transparently than ever before. With advancements in food science and supply chain tech, Indian startups are now building scalable, clean-label products that meet global standards while staying rooted in local preferences. At Prov Foods, we truly believe that the demand for healthy snacking is becoming mainstream and is an everyday part of consumers’ lives today. Sustainable innovation in better-for-you products will drive growth within India and that there is no limit to what we can offer as a result”
Rohan Dewan, Co-founder of LeafyBus
“On National Startup Day, we reflect on whether innovation is moving us forward, or simply moving us faster. By reimagining mobility through clean electric transport, we hope to make movement gentler on the planet and fairer for people. Entrepreneurship, at its best, is an act of care, for communities, for future generations, and for the systems we depend on. When startups choose responsibility alongside ambition, growth becomes meaningful, and progress becomes something we can be proud to pass on.”
Mukesh Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO, MaxVolt Energy Industries Limited
“India’s electric mobility sector is at the forefront of technology, eco-friendly practices and excellent manufacturing, and the new ventures are the main contributors to the speed of the EV transition. The cooperation of the manufacturer and user communities, along with the government, is going to be the key factor in reaching India’s ambitious net-zero and EV adoption targets. Today, we declare our commitment to the support of the smart transport solutions innovation that will make more intelligent transportation, a reduction in carbon emissions, and electric mobility for the entire population. The future of today’s EV Startups will be the determining factor in the blueprint of the world to be cleaner, stronger, and more sustainable.”
<p>The post Leading Entrepreneurs reveal what National Startup Day means for them first appeared on Hello Entrepreneurs.</p>
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