India’s next wave of economic growth will be powered by a ‘startup-linked economy’, according to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Speaking at the launch of Chandigarh University’s ‘Campus Tank’ initiative, the minister stressed that strong industry partnerships are the key to sustaining the country’s booming startup ecosystem.
Dr Singh acknowledged that the government has successfully built a supportive environment for innovation, but he emphasized that startups need early and deep industry engagement to thrive. “We have prioritised industry linkage. This is startup funding,” he said, explaining that ideas from campuses must connect with industry to gain financial backing, market access, and the ability to scale.
The minister pointed out that while India’s startup story has so far been fueled by energy and bright ideas, the focus must now shift to building businesses that can last in highly competitive markets. He cited success stories in sectors like biotechnology, agriculture, and space where government support combined with industry collaboration has already produced significant results.
In encouraging news, Dr Singh highlighted that India’s startup revolution is spreading far beyond major metro cities. Smaller towns and a diverse range of sectors are now actively contributing to new ventures, signaling the rise of an ‘aspirational India’ eager to use innovation for growth.
India’s global innovation standing has seen a dramatic rise, jumping from 81st to 39th on the Global Innovation Index in under ten years. Another standout achievement is the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs—nearly 60% of registered startups in India are now women-led.
Dr Singh also celebrated the growing participation of women in leading high-profile missions, such as Aditya L1 and Chandrayaan-3, calling it a testament to the inclusive nature of India’s scientific and entrepreneurial landscape. He added that India is seeing a surge in homegrown innovation, with the majority of recent patent filings now coming from resident Indian innovators.
