Startups are the drivers of innovation and economic development, and their disruptive spirit, flexibility, and commitment to addressing real-world issues are defining India's future, said S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Krishnan said this while speaking at the 'STPI SANGAM' event in New Delhi, which saw the convergence of startups, investors, mentors, and industry leaders.

According to Arvind Kumar, Director General of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), which operates as an autonomous body under MeitY, approximately 44% of the startups it supports are led by women entrepreneurs, many of whom hail from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

As part of the IT Ministry's Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS), 685 startups, including 136 provided with seed funding, have been supported by STPI, and over 7,000 jobs have been created.

S. Krishnan stressed that government initiatives through programs like NGIS and forums like STPI SANGAM are not just about supporting startups but also about building an ecosystem wherein innovative concepts can be converted into effective businesses. He also assured that the government is keen to support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses, promoting innovation, and making India more competitive globally.

One of the highlights of the event was the inauguration of the 'Open Challenge Programme (OCP) 6.0' at STPI MedTech Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Lucknow, with collaboration from SGPGIMS Lucknow, STPI, AiMeD, and AMTZ. The initiative seeks to equip health-tech start-ups to drive solutions in medical equipment, electronics, and health informatics.

Kumar emphasized the need for inclusivity to develop a robust innovation ecosystem. "Each startup, no matter from big cities or small towns, should have the opportunity to succeed. We need to encourage their dreams and provide them with the support they require. Here, today, we are not only celebrating startup success stories but also thinking about how we can enhance our policies, spread our reach, and enable our startup ecosystem to unlock its full potential," he added.

K.K. Singh, Joint Secretary, MeitY, also emphasized the importance of a strong innovation ecosystem, noting that speeding up the growth of startups could unlock new possibilities, generate employment, and result in economic self-sufficiency. He also noted the pivotal role that STPI has played in the speedy growth of India's startup ecosystem, stressing how the NGIS initiative has been pivotal in offering necessary funding, mentorship, and market access to budding startups.

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