Startup India marked its 8th anniversary with its ‘Startup India Innovation Week 2024’ on January 10, to foster innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem. The week-long program features eight virtual Ask Me Anything (AMA) live sessions, running from January 10 to 17, engaging with key stakeholders to impart insights and celebrate the entrepreneurial journey in India.
AMA Session Focuses on ‘Opportunities for Budding Startups through Incubators’
The inaugural AMA session on January 10 delved into ‘Opportunities for Budding Startups through Incubators’. Livestreamed on Startup India’s social media channels, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, the session provided valuable insights into seed funding sources, guiding startups through the various stages of their journey from conception to market entry. Watch the session here.
MAARG Mentorship Series Begins with ‘From Idea to Execution – Building a Solid Business Plan’
Simultaneously, the MAARG Mentorship Series kickstarted with a mentorship session focusing on ‘From Idea to Execution – Building a Solid Business Plan’. This session engaged participants on the MY Bharat portal, offering in-depth insights into transforming entrepreneurial ideas into structured business plans, utilizing case studies to illustrate fundamental concepts.
‘Startup Shala’ Accelerator Program Launched for Scaleup Stage
Adding to the excitement, Startup India introduced ‘Startup Shala,’ a flagship Accelerator Program designed for extensive handholding of startups in the scaleup stage. The three-month program aims to provide early-stage startups in the clean-tech sector access to knowledge, networks, funds, and guidance required to scale up. Applications for the first cohort are open on the Startup India portal from January 10, 2024.
Piyush Goyal Highlights India’s Startup Landscape at India-UAE Business Summit
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, seized the opportunity at the India-UAE Business Summit during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 to spotlight India’s booming startup landscape. He outlined the future growth trajectory of the startup ecosystem, emphasizing its significance on a global scale.
International Exposure and Startup Bridges Emphasized by DPIIT Joint Secretary
Joint Secretary of DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv, echoed the importance of international exposure for Indian startups during various engagements. He emphasized the role of startup bridges in facilitating international market access, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering global collaboration.
Startup India: Startup Incubators Host Events Across the Country
As part of the nationwide celebration, startup incubators organized engaging events in seven different states across nine cities on January 10. These events, attended by over 845 entrepreneurs, featured startup showcases, mentorship sessions, and panel discussions, creating valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Secretary DPIIT Highlights E-commerce and Fintech Growth at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
On January 11, Secretary DPIIT, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, delivered the inaugural address at the ‘Startups Unlocking Infinite Potential’ seminar during the Tenth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. He underscored the significant growth in the e-commerce and fintech sectors, attributing it to increased internet penetration and the rising popularity of digital payments.
Second AMA Session Explores ‘Innovation at the Intersection’ with Corporate Engagement
The second AMA session centered around ‘Innovation at the Intersection,’ with leading corporates actively engaging with startups. The panel discussed current trends, offering insights on tapping into new market opportunities. Following this, shortlisted startups will receive one-on-one mentorship sessions with corporates in domains such as financial lending, operations, sustainable innovations, and disruptive technology.
MAARG Mentorship Series Continues with ‘Understanding Business Structures and Processes’
Simultaneously, the MAARG Mentorship Series continued with a session on ‘Understanding Business Structures and Processes to Incorporate an Entity.’ Aspiring entrepreneurs actively participated, gaining valuable insights into different business structures and the necessary steps to embark on their startup journey.
Nationwide Events Showcase Innovations Across 9 States
On January 11, events showcasing innovations unfolded physically in 12 cities across nine states, featuring an ideathon for student entrepreneurs, a showcase of women-led startups, and a panel on exploring deeptech frontiers and IPR strategies. The events witnessed enthusiastic participation from startups and entrepreneurs alike.
What’s Next: More AMA Sessions and Mentorship Series Throughout the Week
The celebration continues with more insightful AMA sessions featuring ecosystem enablers and sessions under the MAARG Mentorship Series planned throughout the week. Check out the full schedule of events at Startup India’s official website for an exciting lineup of activities. Stay tuned as Startup India leads the way in fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth in the vibrant Indian startup ecosystem.
