(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah kicked off the two-day Startup Conclave and Exhibition-2025 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Tuesday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined him for the event, which drew entrepreneurs, investors, and officials eager to boost India’s booming startup scene.
After cutting the ribbon on the exhibition, Shah strolled through the stalls, chatting with young founders and offering encouragement. Gujarat’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Rushikesh Patel and Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput also attended, adding to the lively atmosphere.
In his keynote speech, Shah highlighted how the conclave brings Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “mind to market” vision to reality. He pointed out that under Modi’s guidance, India’s startup ecosystem has exploded with over 380% growth in the last decade, making it the world’s third-largest hub for startups and digital innovation.
Shah praised the nation’s young entrepreneurs for reshaping the landscape. Back in 2014, India had just around 500 startups and only four unicorns—those rare companies valued at over $1 billion. Today, thanks to Modi’s incentives and support, the country counts more than 192,000 startups and over 120 unicorns, with a combined value topping $350 billion. “Our youth are shifting from job seekers to job creators,” Shah said, urging industrialists and investors to tap into this massive potential.
The event features seven sessions over two days, focusing on tackling challenges to help India lead in every sector and improve lives for all citizens. Building on the success of the 2023 edition, organizers expect this one to spark even more ideas for a stronger future.
Shah also shared impressive progress on the Global Innovation Index. India ranked 91st in 2014 but has climbed to 38th in the 2025 report, thanks to Modi’s bold policies. He predicted the conclave could help push India into the top 10 within three years by nurturing the talent of its youth. Drawing from India’s rich heritage in health, science, math, and philosophy, Shah said these roots will fuel the next wave of homegrown startups.
Echoing Modi’s words, Shah noted that while India faces millions of problems, it has billions of problem-solvers. Events like this speed up innovation and let young creators shine, moving beyond profits to build a self-reliant Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that startups now thrive in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with 37% of all Indian startups coming from these areas— a big change from pre-2014 days.
Women entrepreneurs are leading the charge too, founding 48% of India’s startups. “Entrepreneurial women bring prosperity,” Shah remarked. In the North-East alone, about 900 women-led startups are driving the self-reliance push.
Since 2014, Modi’s government has backed startups with financial aid, infrastructure, policies, and banking support. A Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds helps get them off the ground, while loan limits have doubled to Rs 20 crore and tax breaks ease the way. Gujarat’s state government chips in with extra help, letting every founder build their dream business.
Through initiatives like Make in India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 14 key sectors, the government pours in crores for projects. Global investors are flocking in, aided by reforms to over 3,400 outdated laws.
Shah touched on recent GST simplifications under Modi, which merged 16 taxes into one system. Collections started at Rs 80,000 crore across states but now hit Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 2 lakh crore monthly, fueling economic growth. “Taxes build the nation, not burden it,” he said. The reforms have bridged the gap between taxpayers and government, with exemptions now up to Rs 12 lakh in income—double the 2014 limit of Rs 2.5 lakh. Honest payers get relief, and programs like Digital India, GEM portal, and BharatNet (connecting 200,000 gram panchayats to the internet) supercharge startup growth.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel echoed these themes, telling young entrepreneurs that Modi’s Make in India, Made for the World vision turns India into a global manufacturing powerhouse, powered by its democracy, young population, and skilled workers. Initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat have turbocharged industries, the economy, and startups. In defense, demand for Made in India weapons and parts is surging worldwide, with exports reaching 80 countries last year.
The event wrapped up with seven MoUs signed in Shah’s presence. He launched the NEP-2020 Dashboard alongside other leaders, released a coffee table book on its five-year rollout, a compilation on the Indian Knowledge System, and more. Winners of the Cyber Rakshak Natya Utsav got awards, and investors received cheques for backing startups.
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