Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India’s startup culture has transformed the country over the past decade, noting that those who take risks are no longer discouraged but are now respected, as Startup India completed 10 years.
India’s Startup Ecosystem Sees Explosive Growth
Addressing the “Startup Pe Charcha” programme at Bharat Mandapam, PM Modi said the Startup India initiative has given young entrepreneurs an “open sky” to innovate. He highlighted that the number of startups has grown from around 500 a decade ago to over two lakh today, while unicorns have increased to nearly 125 from just four in 2014. India, he added, is now the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with youth-driven ideas solving real-life problems at scale.
From Elite Access to Mass Participation
Recalling the programme’s beginnings, the Prime Minister said Startup India was launched 10 years ago at Vigyan Bhawan with 500–700 young participants. Today, the event has outgrown that venue, reflecting the movement’s scale and momentum. He noted that earlier, starting a business was largely limited to children of big industrial families due to easier access to funding, while middle-class and poor families mostly dreamed of salaried jobs. Startup India, he said, has changed this mindset.
Tier-2, Tier-3 Cities and Women Lead the Change
PM Modi stressed that entrepreneurs are now emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities and even villages, working on grassroots problems. He underlined the strong participation of women, stating that over 45 percent of recognised startups today have at least one woman director or partner. He also pointed out that in 2025 alone, nearly 44,000 new startups were registered, many of which are creating jobs, turning into unicorns, and launching IPOs.
Risk-Taking Becomes Mainstream
The Prime Minister said India has moved from discouraging risk-taking to celebrating it. People who think beyond monthly salaries are now not only accepted but respected. Drawing from his own political journey, PM Modi said he has always believed in taking bold decisions, even when they carried political risks. He told young entrepreneurs that someone must take risks for the country’s future, adding that while losses may be personal, the benefits reach millions of Indian families.
