PM declares 16 January as Startup Day; They say the golden age of startups has just begun

Interaction with over 150 Startups, EV Charging Infrastructure, Defense Manufacturing, Chip Manufacturing Offers and Drone Industry during Startup India Innovation Week organized by Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

“In order to take this culture of start-ups to the remotest parts of the country, it has been decided to observe January 16 as National Startup Day”, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying. .

Noting that 42 startups became unicorns last year, Modi said: “Today India is fast moving towards hitting the century of the unicorn. I believe the golden age of India’s startups is starting now.” At present, there are around 82 unicorns in India.

The startups categorized under six groups made presentations to the Prime Minister on six themes – ‘Growing from the Roots’, ‘Minning DNA’, ‘From Local to Global’, ‘Technology of the Future’, ‘Championing in Manufacturing’ and ‘Sustainable Development’. .

He talked about data collection mechanisms in agriculture, making India a preferred agri-business hub, promoting healthcare through the use of technology, tackling the issue of mental health, travel and tourism through innovations such as virtual tourism, ed-tech Shared views and inputs on various areas including promotion of and job recognition, the space sector, among others.

During the meeting, Modi also outlined the steps taken by the government to support startups in the country, including Startup India, addressing the problems of ‘angel tax’, simplification of tax process, system of government funding, nine self -Includes programs such as permitting certification. Removal of labor and three environmental laws and compliance with more than 25 thousand.

He also pointed to indicators and numbers that show growth in the startup ecosystem. Modi said 4,000 patents were granted in 2013-14, while over 28,000 were granted in the last one year alone. In the year 2013-14, around 70000 trademarks were registered, in 2020-21 over 2.5 lakh trademarks were registered, the Prime Minister added, among other parameters.

He also mentioned that India has now moved up from 81st rank to 46th position in the Global Innovation Index.

The Prime Minister was of the view that Indian startups can easily reach the global stage and reach out to other countries and told young entrepreneurs: “Don’t just keep your dreams local, make them global. Remember this mantra – Let’s innovate for India, let’s innovate from India”.

Modi also suggested several areas where the startup fraternity can play a major role, including EV charging infrastructure, defense manufacturing, chip manufacturing offers and the drone sector.

Noting that the new drone policy has generated interest among many people on drone centric startups, the Prime Minister said that the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have given Orders worth Rs 500 crore for drone startups. He also talked about concepts including ‘walk to work’, integrated industrial estates and smart mobility as potential areas.

“From the rural economy to ‘Industry 4.0’, both our needs and our potential are limitless,” he said. Investment in research and development related to future technology is a priority of the government today.