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- ‘Startup Maha Rathi Challenge’ at Startup Maha Kumbh: A Flagship Initiative to Support Early and Growth Stage Startups Across Across 10 Key Sectors
New Delhi6 minutes ago
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India is included in the world’s top 3 startup ecosystem. Today, around 1.70 lakh startups are recognized by DPIT. The country has made its special identity in the world of startups in the last few years. Many Indian Starpups have become unicorn today.
India’s Startup Ecosystem continued its strong growth in the first quarter of 2025, leading to funding of $ 2.5 billion. Startup Mahakumbh will play a big role in promoting startup ecosystem in the country.
Startup Mahakumbh, which is going to be held in Delhi between April 3 and April 5, is set to shape the future of India’s Startup Ecosystem. In this event, the startup maharathi is a challenge that gives a golden opportunity to the startups of the country’s early stages to move forward.
The “Startup Maha Rathi” Challenge has been presented in the second edition of the Startup Mahakumbh in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion (DPIIT), Latsvanchar, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, Awana Capital and other industry stakeholders.
This is a major initiative that aims to provide Indian startups funding, mentalship and strategic guidance in every corner of the country. This challenge is in line with India’s long -term approach to becoming a developed economy by 2047. Under this challenge, funds of up to ₹ 30 crore, mentorship from industry experts and networking opportunities from global investors will be available. In addition, there will also be special awards for innovative startups of emerging states and union territories.
Startup Maha Rathi – Growing steps towards developed India – This program 10 major sectors such as Deeptech, Biotech & Healthtech, Gaming & Sports, Fintech, Incubators & Accelerators, Mobility, Agritech, B2B & Precision Manufacturing, D2C, Climetech, and Spacecetech Will open opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs. It aims to provide necessary resources to startups to increase their operations and contribute to India’s technical and economic progress. Under this initiative, selected startups will get access to the global market through Startup India, guidance from experienced experts in the industry, and will be recognized by DPIIT at the national level.
Selected startups will win prizes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh The competition, which started with the launch of the application on 26 February 2025, is being followed by a very well -organized, several stages. The competition will end after a 4-step process at a special live pitching finale at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on April 3-5, 2025.
Each startup selected for the Grand Jury Round will get a guarantee of ₹ 1 lakh, while the top two startups of each field will be rewarded with ₹ 10 lakh respectively, while the next five will get ₹ 5 lakh. In each track, the next 5 startups will get access to ₹ 3 lakh.
In addition to financial grants, participating startups will get special guidance and investors through a jury through a jury through 100+ leading VCs, Angel investors and domain experts of organizations such as Awana Capital, Latswanchar, KDEM, IVCA, HDFC and Startup India.
The initiative has been appreciated by the stakeholders associated with the industry veteran leaders and startup maharathi initiative.
India’s Industries and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Appreciating this initiative, he said, ‘Startup Maha Rathi initiative is an important step towards India’s’ developed India 2047′. This initiative will enable the country’s most promising startups to bring, innovation and significant changes by providing strategic financial support and expert guidance, which will strengthen the position of India’s global leader. ‘
Secretary of Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade Department, Amardeep Singh Bhatia According to, ‘India’s startup ecosystem is at a significant turn, and such initiatives play an important role in ensuring that high -capacity enterprises get correct support. This initiative will play an important role in strengthening innovation-based culture and will be helpful in advancing the next generation entrepreneurs.
Commenting on the initiative, the Joint Secretary, Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, said, “Our mission focuses on bridging the gap between startups and investors, and this initiative will provide startups a structured, high -influence plate to display their innovations and get access to direct funding and mentarships.”
Founding and managing partner of Rukam Capital, Archana Jahangidar She says, ‘Startup Maharathi Challenge is a unique attempt of its kind. As part of the second edition of the Startup Mahakumbh, there is a golden opportunity for all founders who aspire to do something new and unique. In India’s entrepreneurs who want to make their mark globally, whether they are AI, Dippec, Agritech or any sector, many types of verticals are available for them. Not only this, a huge amount of 30 crore rupees is to be distributed among these successful participants.
Excel India founding partner Prashant Prakash Talking about the Startup Maharathi Challenge, “Through this initiative, not only the eligible and successful startups will get a grant from a funding of Rs 30 crore but will also get access to thousands of investors. This is a golden opportunity for startups making products in 11 sectors such as AI, Deeetak, Agritech, Sports, Fintech. For the purpose of evaluating more than 5000 startups, the Startup Maharathi presents a unique opportunity that helps identify and invest the startups that have the ability to motivate India’s economic change. We are proud to cooperate in this initiative and help entrepreneurs with the right financial and strategic support. ‘
Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Awana Capital, Said, “Initiatives like Startup Maharathi provides significant support to Indian entrepreneurs who are working for India’s important priorities – green development, stability, energy infection, food systems, agriculture and deep technology. This program not only shows India’s entrepreneurship strength, but also helps in promoting our competent solutions globally, which is a permanent and global competition to India, which also helps in globally promoting our competent solutions. Helps in moving faster in the direction of ‘developed India’. “
‘Whether you are an early or growth stage startups of any sector like AI, Fintech, Healthtech, Cleantech, Energy, Startup Maharathi Challenge is a platform for you to move forward. It goes beyond funding and connects your venture capital firms, mentorship and investors. This ensures your presence on a huge stage like Bharat Mandapam. ‘ Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM)
