Startup India was launched on 16th January 2016 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India as a clarion call to the innovators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers of the nation to lead from front in driving India’s sustainable economic growth and create large scale employment opportunities. Startup India laid the foundation for building a self-reliant India and harness the potential of a nation bestowed with the largest youth population in the world. Five years since the launch of the initiative, India is witnessing a golden chapter in the history of Indian entrepreneurship, with it being counted amongst the largest startup ecosystems in the world with over 50 unicorns and more than 49,000 recognized startups from various States and Union Territories.

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To celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and India’s formidable position in global startup ecosystem, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India organised Prarambh – Startup India International Summit on 15th and 16th January 2021. The first day of Prarambh was dedicated to Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (‘BIMSTEC’) and saw participation of leadership from all BIMSTEC member states and host of plenary discussions engaging renowned startup ecosystem stakeholders from BIMSTEC member states. The second day of Prarambh was special and historic for Indian startup community. It brought together the champions of Indians startup ecosystems on one platform engaging in range of discussions for role of ecosystem for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Some of the key highlights of Prarambh are as under:

• Over 1.2 lakh registrations from over 56 countries across 24 targeted and focused sessions.
• The Hon’ble Prime Minister addressed the Grand Plenary of Prarambh and unveiled Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Startup India: The Way Ahead, Evolution of Indian Startup Ecosystem and Startup Champions program on Doordarshan.
• Closed-door roundtables with active participation of 150+ renowned domestic and global private equity and venture capital firms from various time zones for mobilizing capital for Indian startups. The roundtables were chaired by the Hon’ble Finance Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry.
• Participation from States and UTs showcasing their success stories to the world.
• Over 1100 startups from India and other BIMSTEC member states exhibited their products and services at virtual booths across 25 pavilions which witnessed footfall of over 12,000 visitors as part of the virtual startup showcase.