Global Connections Key Pillar Of Startup Mahakumbh 2025: DPIIT's Sanjiv

SUMMARY

The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh will be held from April 3-5, 2025 and as in the past edition, we can expect large pavilions dedicated to the major sectors driving innovation

DPIIT’s Sanjiv added that the potential presence of delegates from over 50 countries at the event underscores the fact that the Startup Mahakumbh is the largest startup congregation of its kind

Arti Bhatnagar, additional secretary and financial advisor for DPIIT and Startup India added the upcoming flagship event marks a significant milestone in India’s startup journey, where global collaboration takes centre stage

Emphasising that the Indian startup ecosystem has positioned itself as a formidable force across industries worldwide, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) joint secretary Sanjiv Singh said that the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh will help foster connections between startup ecosystem stakeholders across borders.

Speaking on the sidelines of an evening hosting ambassadors from 30 countries ahead of the upcoming Startup Mahakumbh, the DPIIT joint secretary added that the Startup Mahakumbh is the largest startup congregation of its kind in the world, and the event helped showcase India’s startup revolution on a global scale.

“Ambassadors, consulates, deputy high commissioners and many other official representatives from countries such as Italy, Spain, Brazil, South Korea, Sri Lanka among others will help in bringing global networks to Indian startups, and Indian startups will have the opportunity to foster collaboration with global stakeholders,” DPIIT joint secretary Sanjiv Singh added.

The Mahakumbh is the latest initiative from the DPIIT, which has held discussions to spur foreign direct investments (FDI) into Indian startups. The department has signed several MoUs in the past two months and has also met representatives of various pension funds, private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms to boost investment inflow into India.

With support from the DPIIT and other ecosystem stakeholders, the central government also launched the BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) platform for startups last year, which has seen over 5 Lakh registrations from 28 states.

The preview event saw key delegates from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ambassadors to the Argentinian and Azerbaijan’s Embassy, Head of the Economic and Innovation Department of Italy, Head of International Cooperation from Mexico, among many other dignitaries attended the event, where the organising committee behind the Startup Mahakumbh outlined the agenda for the event.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, cofounder and executive vice chairman, Info Edge as well as part of the organising committee of Startup Mahakumbh, added, “Startup Mahakumbh embodies India’s dynamic spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, helping Indian startups scale internationally. By inviting global innovators to explore the limitless opportunities in Bharat, is a powerful signal of the shared vision we hold for a truly interconnected startup landscape.”

The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh will be held from April 3-5, 2025 and as in the past edition, we can expect large pavilions for AI, deeptech and cybersecurity, healthtech, agritech, climate tech, D2C, fintech, gaming, and entertainment, B2B solutions, manufacturing, defence, spacetech, mobility, incubators & accelerators.

Arti Bhatnagar, additional secretary and financial advisor for DPIIT, added, “This marks a significant milestone in India’s startup journey, where global collaboration takes centre stage as thought leaders, investors, and innovators from over 30 countries have joined hands to foster deeper connections and exchange knowledge. As we move towards building a self-reliant and innovative Viksit Bharat by 2047, such engagements will play a crucial role in driving India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to new heights on the global stage.”

Stage Set For Startup Mahakumbh 2025

Organising committee member and Rukam Capital managing partner Archana Jahagirdar added that the second edition will look to plug the many gaps in the market today for Indian startups, including access to global markets, exposure to new avenues of growth and more. “Over the years, we have seen Indian startups visit tech shows around the world, but this is the first time that the leading startups from 50+ countries will potentially be under one roof in India,” she added.

Jahagirdar also mentioned that despite the clear trend in the market towards AI and deeptech, the Startup Mahakumbh will be a democratic platform for Indian startups across sectors, and no particular sector will be given preference at the upcoming event.

The inaugural edition of the government-backed flagship startup event saw close to 50,000 visitors engaging with more than 1,300 exhibitors including soonicorns, and unicorns. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators and 200+ leading angel investors, VC firms, and family offices.

“By fostering an innovation-driven culture, this evening will play an integral role in shaping the future of disruptive Indian entrepreneurs. With delegates from over 50 countries, Startup Mahakumbh will be an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the breadth and potential of India’s startup ecosystem on a global stage,” added Amardeep Singh Bhatia, secretary, DPIIT.

The Startup Mahakumbh is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA, NASSCOM and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation; and supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC and DPIIT Startup India.