Startup Mahakumbh Floats INR 30 Cr Startup Maha Rathi Challenge To Boost Startups

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, IVCA, HDFC and others to launch Startup Maha Rathi Challenge, as a part of the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh.

This initiative aims to empower Indian startups with funding, mentorship and strategic guidance.  

The challenge will offer INR 30 Cr in funding, mentorship from industry experts and networking opportunities with global investors.

The programme will support startups across 11 key sectors, including AI and deeptech, biotech and healthtech, gaming and sports, fintech, incubators and accelerators, mobility, agritech, B2B and precision manufacturing, D2C, climatetech, and defence & spacetech.

The competition began with applications launched yesterday (February 26), leading to a live pitching finale from April 3-5 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal said, “The Startup Maha Rathi initiative marks a pivotal stride toward achieving India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ By offering strategic financial support and expert mentorship, this initiative will empower the nation’s most promising startups to scale, innovate, and drive transformative change, strengthening India’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation.”

The Startup Mahakumbh is scheduled to be held from April 4 to 6 at Bharat Mandapam. Stakeholders which include policymakers, government bodies, entrepreneurs, investors, academic and research institutes, and industry leaders, will be attending the event.

DPIIT, under the aegis of ministry of commerce, is the nodal agency that promotes industry and internal trade in India.  Under the Startup India initiative, 157,066 startups have been recognised by the DPIIT, with 759,303 users registering on the portal to date. 

Last month, DPIIT also said that the cumulative funding for Indian startups has grown exponentially to $155 Bn in 2024 from $8 Bn in 2016.