Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon Indian startups to focus on manufacturing, deep technology and global leadership, asserting that the next decade of Startup India must place the country at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement.
Speaking at a programme at Bharat Mandapam to mark the 10th anniversary of Startup India, the Prime Minister said startups will play a decisive role in shaping India’s economic and technological future.
Hailing Startup India as a “revolution”, Modi said the initiative has transformed India into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, growing from fewer than 500 startups in 2014 to over 2 lakh today, including nearly 125 unicorns.
He said risk-taking has now become mainstream in India and that startups are increasingly driving employment, innovation and global competitiveness.
“The Government is with you in all your efforts. I have faith in your capabilities. Your courage, confidence and innovation are shaping India’s future,” the Prime Minister said.
Stating that the past decade has demonstrated India’s entrepreneurial strength, Modi added, “Our goal should be to lead the world in the next 10 years in India’s new startup trends and technologies.”
Launched on January 16, 2016, the Startup India initiative aims to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship and create a generation of job creators. Over the past decade, it has helped build a robust ecosystem of more than 2 lakh startups across sectors and regions.
