Startup Mahakumbh Sparks Innovation Surge

Startup Mahakumbh, India's largest and first-of-its-kind startup event, registered record participation, serving as a vibrant platform for all stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem. The confluence of stakeholders and experts is expected to help further develop emerging sectors like DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, AI, Gaming, etc.

The event, designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across India, witnessed an unparalleled level of participation from leading investors, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs. The event is hosting over 2000 startups, 1000+ investors, 100+ unicorns, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference delegates, 10+ country delegations, 3000+ future entrepreneurs and 50,000+ business visitors from across the country. The event has witnessed vibrant discussions on way forward and networking between all the stakeholders.

The event is being organized jointly by the collaborative efforts of ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Incubation & Advisory Foundation, TiE and Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). It is supported by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Invest India.

Startup Mahakumbh pavilion leads include Zerodha and National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) with support from states including Bihar, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Kerala. Powered by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Zomato and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), Startup Mahakumbh has the state of Uttar Pradesh as state partner for the event.

Several important stakeholders including, Mr. Sivasubramanian Ramann, SIDBI; Mr. Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel; Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder, Info Edge; Mr. Sanjay Nayar, Founder, Sorin Investments; Mr. Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM; Ms. Archana Jahagirdar, Managing Partner, Rukam Capital, Mr. Deepak Sood, ASSOCHAM; Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Nasscom; Shri. Anil Kumar Sagar, Department of IT - Govt of UP; Ranjan Anandan, Peak XV and Rikant Pittie, Co-founder Easemytrip. Notably, renowned industry titans including Peeyush Bansal, Co-Founder and CEO, Lenskart, Aman Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO, boAt Lifestyle, Ashish Hemrajani, Book My Show actively participated in the event.

Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and Former CEO, NITI Aayog, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission and Mr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor, IIT Madras and Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, CEO, GeM, interacted with the participants on various government initiatives for the Start-ups.

Some of the highlights of the event are as follows:

• Keynote addresses: Renowned industry leaders and policymakers addressed the gathering, sharing their perspectives on the critical role startups play in India's economic growth and development
• Future Entrepreneurs Day: With a focus on cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit among students, the Future Entrepreneurs Day is expected to gather close to 3,000 individuals handpicked by colleges and incubators nationwide for their inclination towards entrepreneurship.
• 10 thematic pavilions: To showcase the variety and depth of the phenomena on - Deeptech, AI & SaaS, Fintech, Agritech, Biotech & Pharma, Climate Tech, Gaming & E-Sports, D2C, B2B & Manufacturing, and Incubators.
• Engaging Panel Discussions: Experts from diverse sectors engaged in thought-provoking discussions on a wide range of insightful topics on the future of Indian startups and the critical role they play in the country's economic growth. There were sessions around the strategies for fostering creativity and disruption in startups, what does the next decade look like for the ecosystem, how can startups build multi-generational businesses and what are the opportunities for key sectors like Agritech, AI & SaaS, Climate Tech, Gaming and Deep Tech among others. Additionally, enriching sessions were held around how startups can scale their businesses globally.
• Actionable Workshops: Attendees participated in practical workshops, pitch competitions, and a multi-track conference designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the competitive startup world
• Networking Opportunities: The event provided a unique platform for fostering connections between investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, laying the groundwork for potential collaborations and partnerships.
• Interaction with DPIIT officials: To provide valuable insights into various government initiatives aimed at supporting startups, including funding schemes, mentorship programs, and regulatory reforms
• Startup exhibitions: A dedicated exhibition area showcased innovative products and services developed by promising startups from across the country. This platform facilitated valuable interactions and potential collaborations between startups and investors
• Mentorship sessions: Seasoned entrepreneurs and investors provided valuable mentorship to aspiring founders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the startup journey at mentorship clinics