Day 1 of Startup Mahakumbh: A Launchpad for Innovation and Collaboration
The capital city of New Delhi witnessed an extraordinary gathering of minds at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, marking the first day of Startup Mahakumbh, the largest celebration of startup culture in India. This grand event highlighted the vital role of startups in shaping the future of Vikasit Bharat, offering a platform for insightful discussions, showcasing innovations, and fostering unparalleled networking opportunities among the startup ecosystem’s luminaries.
Initiating the event was a panel discussion focused on the expansive influence of startups in realizing the vision of a fully developed India. Esteemed panelists underscored the importance of the Startup Mahakumbh as an essential catapult for nurturing the burgeoning Indian startup ecosystem.
The event drew notable dignitaries such as Shri Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa & Former CEO of NITI Aayog, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh from the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and several other key figures who have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for startups in India.
Emphasizing the significance of startups in the nation’s economy, Shri Amitabh Kant remarked, “India’s thriving startup ecosystem has indirectly generated over 10 million jobs and spurred a dynamic gig economy. This growth trajectory not only showcases job creation but also positions India on the path to becoming a global leader in the startup domain.”
The day was packed with keynote sessions, interactive panel discussions, and fireside chats featuring industry stalwarts. Among the luminaries were Sivasubramanian Raman of SIDBI, Info Edge’s Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Prashant Prakash from Accel, and Debjani Ghosh, the President of NASSCOM, sharing their insights on nurturing creativity, disruption in startups, and strategies for international expansion.
Highlighting the home for startups, the event showcased various thematic pavilions focused on emerging sectors like DeepTech, AgriTech, AI, Climate Tech, Gaming and more, offering a peek into the future of these dynamic fields. This setup not only facilitated in-depth discussions but also enabled startups to display their innovative solutions to a global audience.
Startup Mahakumbh saw the participation of over 21,000 stakeholders from the startup ecosystem, connecting them with silver partners such as Dalmia Bharat & Google, and bronze partners including Acko and Tally, among others. The event featured session partners like IAN & Blume Ventures and was supported by academic insights from the Indian School of Business (ISB).
Day one of the event culminated as a resounding success, promising even greater achievements in the days to follow. As the pavilions closed and the lights dimmed, the participants left inspired, fortified with new connections and insights, ready to contribute more significantly to India’s startup narrative.
