Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, convened a review meeting to evaluate the Startup India Fund of Funds 1.0 and 2.0, aiming to bolster India's startup and innovation landscape. The meeting highlighted crucial strategies to enhance support for deep-tech and innovation-driven startups, expand access to capital, and promote inclusive growth, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Goyal emphasized the need for greater private sector participation and improved institutional mechanisms to foster a more robust startup ecosystem.
In his remarks shared on X, Goyal noted, "We discussed measures to strengthen the startup ecosystem through improved institutional frameworks and strategic sector focus." The government has recently reported a remarkable achievement, recognizing more than 55,200 startups in the financial year 2025-26, marking the highest number in a single year since the inception of the Startup India initiative. This surge reflects the growing entrepreneurial spirit in India and the government's commitment to fostering innovation.
- Creation of direct jobs — Recognized startups have generated over 23.36 lakh direct jobs.
- Women in startups — More than 1.07 lakh startups include at least one woman director or partner.
- New funding initiatives — The government launched Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
As of March 31, 2026, the total number of recognized startups in India has surpassed 2.23 lakh. These startups have collectively created over 23.36 lakh direct jobs, showcasing their vital role in the economy. Notably, over 1.07 lakh recognized startups have at least one woman director or partner, accounting for nearly 48% of the total, highlighting the increasing participation of women in entrepreneurship.
The government's ongoing support is evident through various schemes such as the Fund of Funds for Startups, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups. By the end of FY26, more than ₹7,000 crore had been disbursed to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn have invested over ₹26,900 crore in more than 1,420 startups. Building on this momentum, the government has also launched the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, designed to provide additional support with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore, ensuring continued growth in India's startup ecosystem.
