Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah kicked off the two-day Startup Conclave 2025 in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, drawing founders, investors, and policymakers from all over India to Mahatma Mandir. The event spotlights India’s booming startup scene, from fresh ideas to big business opportunities.
Shah, joined by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Higher Education Minister Rushikesh Patel, praised the nation’s young people for shifting from job seekers to job creators. He pushed investors to support early-stage startups, pointing out that these ventures have already created jobs for about 1.79 million people. Even more impressive, women lead 48% of new startups, showing the sector’s strong push for social and economic growth.
“The Startup Conclave turns India’s knowledge and innovation into real jobs and businesses,” Shah said. He encouraged investors to fuel these startups’ growth, promising they’ll deliver big returns in the long run.
Over 170 startups filled the exhibition halls, showcasing products in key areas like technology, healthcare, agritech, fintech, and green energy. Attendees got hands-on looks at prototypes and live demos. The agenda includes a round-table where founders chat directly with industry experts, plus seven sessions diving into topics like scaling innovations, smart financing options, and stronger ties between universities and businesses.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel hailed the conclave as a boost for Gujarat’s role as a top hub for entrepreneurs. Higher Education Minister Rushikesh Patel stressed how universities and research centers can guide young companies and turn academic breakthroughs into marketable products.
Founders at the event appreciated the chance to gain visibility and make connections, but they raised real hurdles. “Getting early funding and test customers is still a major roadblock for many of us,” one startup exhibitor shared.
Investors echoed the call for better support, especially clearer paths to government pilots and targeted incubation programs for climate tech and health startups. A side discussion focused on practical fixes, like better beneficiary lists, mixed funding for green tech, and perks to get institutions buying from startups.
Organizers aim to deliver solid policy ideas to state and central governments, plus launch a new platform to match startups with investors and buyers. As the conclave wraps up on Wednesday, its success will hinge on turning talk into action—think firm investment pledges, government pilot projects, and rules that speed up growth from idea to market.
For the founders hustling on the floor, the big win would be simple: transform this spotlight into the funding, customers, and deals that keep their ventures thriving past the prototype stage.
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