Marking the 10th anniversary of the Startup India Initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on the nation’s startup ecosystem to focus on manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that India must assert global leadership in emerging technologies over the next decade. Speaking at the National Startup Day event, Modi highlighted the transformative journey of India’s startup sector since he launched the initiative on January 16, 2016, with the vision of turning India into a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.

“Now is the time for our startups to focus more on manufacturing,” Modi said, reflecting on the significant evolution of the startup ecosystem. “In just 10 years, the Startup India Mission has become a revolution. Today, India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The last 10 years have proven the country’s capabilities. Our goal should be that India must lead the world in new startup trends and technologies in the next 10 years.”

Modi emphasized that courage is the first condition for enterprise, acknowledging the risks undertaken by Indian youth that have been pivotal to the success of Startup India. “Earlier, risk-taking was discouraged in the country, but today it has become mainstream. Those who think beyond monthly salaries are not only accepted but respected,” he said. He noted that ideas once considered fringe are now gaining traction, drawing a parallel to his own approach in politics. “I am always willing to undertake tasks that are good for the nation, irrespective of adverse political fallout. Considering them ‘high political risks’, previous governments avoided these issues for decades out of fear of losing elections or power. Like innovators, I also believe that if something is necessary for the nation, I must take the risk.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted the strategic importance of AI, noting that nations leading in this technology will have a considerable advantage on the global stage. He underscored that India’s startups carry the responsibility of ensuring the country remains at the forefront of AI innovation. Acknowledging challenges such as high computing costs, Modi noted that solutions are being facilitated through the India AI Mission, which has already onboarded more than 38,000 GPUs to ensure access to advanced technology for smaller startups while fostering indigenous AI development by Indian talent on Indian servers.

Beyond AI, Modi pointed to other emerging sectors where startups are being encouraged to innovate, including semiconductors, data centres, and green hydrogen, emphasizing that startups will play a critical role in India’s economic and strategic autonomy in the years ahead. “Startup India is not just a scheme; it is a rainbow vision connecting diverse sectors with new opportunities,” he said.

The Prime Minister also elaborated on government measures to open strategic sectors to startups. Through the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme, startups are now competing with established players in defence manufacturing, with new procurement pathways being opened in key sectors. In space technology, nearly 200 startups are now active after the government opened the sector for private participation, while the drone industry has also been liberalized after removing outdated restrictions that had previously hindered innovation.

To provide market access, particularly in public procurement, the government has expanded the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Modi noted that about 35,000 startups and small businesses have onboarded the platform, receiving around half a million orders worth approximately ₹50,000 crore, highlighting the importance of GeM as a facilitator of growth for emerging companies.

The government has also launched a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme, reflecting Modi’s belief that “today’s research becomes tomorrow’s intellectual property.” In addition, a deep-tech fund of funds has been created to support long-term investments in sunrise sectors, enabling startups to work on high-impact ideas that will define future technologies and drive economic security.

Modi underscored that the momentum of growth in startups will continue to accelerate, as today’s entrepreneurs become unicorns, launch IPOs, and create new employment opportunities. “These figures testify to how India’s startups are driving employment, innovation, and growth,” he said.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also spoke at the event, emphasizing that Indian startups are now active in over 50 sectors, ranging from deep-tech, AI, and machine learning to quantum computing, agri-tech, space technology, drones, aerospace, and rocket technology. Goyal highlighted that startups are now emerging from every corner of the country, with nearly 50% originating from tier-II and tier-III cities, demonstrating that the startup revolution has become a truly national movement.

The Commerce Minister noted that the international community is taking notice of India’s startup ecosystem. During bilateral trade discussions, several countries expressed interest in establishing startup bridges with India, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. He estimated that nearly 100 countries are exploring partnerships with Indian startups through platforms facilitating inter-startup coordination.

In conclusion, both Modi and Goyal emphasized that India’s startup ecosystem is no longer just a domestic phenomenon but a global engine of innovation, employment, and economic growth. By encouraging startups to take bold steps in manufacturing, AI, and strategic sectors, the government aims to ensure that India not only consolidates its position as the world’s third-largest startup hub but also emerges as a global leader in next-generation technologies over the coming decade.

The Prime Minister’s message was clear: courage, innovation, and strategic thinking are essential for India’s startups to shape the future and secure the nation’s place on the global stage.