New Delhi, April 5, 2025 —
Day two of Startup Mahakumbh at Bharat Mandapam brought together government officials, startup founders, investors, and global guests for a packed schedule of keynote talks, panel discussions, and startup showcases.
With the theme “Startup India @2047 – Unfolding the Bharat Story,” the event spotlighted India’s growing ambitions in deeptech, manufacturing, space, defence, climate tech, fintech, and mobility.
Key Highlights from Day 2
1. Amitabh Kant’s Opening Address
India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant called for central and state governments to adopt startup-led solutions.
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He emphasized that governments should act as the first buyers of disruptive tech.
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Citing the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), he said, “Startups need early customers, and the public sector can be that support.”
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He noted the need for patient capital in deeptech sectors like AI, blockchain, and analytics.
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Kant also warned that global VC funding may slow down due to supply chain disruptions and new tariffs from the US.
Key Discussions and Themes
Space and Defence
Arjun Rao, partner at Speciale Invest, said India can create global leaders in these sectors but must address unique startup challenges.
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He urged VCs and government to back these capital-heavy fields.
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“Every rupee must create impact. We can’t afford waste,” he said.
Artificial Intelligence and Deeptech
Abhishek Singh, additional secretary at MeitY, said India must:
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Build its own foundation models
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Develop top-tier AI talent
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Increase research investment
“This is a marathon. We need long-term support for deeptech success,” Singh added.
Climate Tech
Juhi Joshi from Climate Collective urged for urgent action on climate issues.
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She called for more research funding and infrastructure for clean tech.
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“Breakthrough solutions exist. But they need the right backing to scale,” she said.
Mobility and EVs
CarDekho CEO Amit Jain proposed a three-step plan:
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Improve public transport
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Support shared mobility
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Build EV infrastructure, starting with metros and expanding to smaller cities
He also emphasized alternate fuels like green hydrogen.
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Branding
boAt cofounder Aman Gupta gave practical advice to D2C startups:
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Focus on product-market fit
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Understand your audience
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Invest wisely in marketing
He encouraged founders to start small and be frugal. “Execution matters more than ideas,” Gupta said.
Consumer Trends
Aloke Bajpai, CEO of ixigo, said India’s Gen Z is more aspirational and demands better experiences.
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He believes tech startups will shape India’s journey toward becoming a developed country by 2047.
Showcasing Startups and Solutions
Startup Mahakumbh is hosting:
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Over 3,000 startups
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More than 1,000 investors and incubators
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10,000+ delegates from over 50 countries
Thematic pavilions and startup booths allowed startups to present their work to investors, accelerators, and government bodies.
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Launch of India Fintech Foundation
The India Fintech Foundation was launched in the presence of:
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Amitabh Kant
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DPIIT joint secretary Sanjiv
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Former RBI deputy governor NS Vishwanathan
The foundation aims to promote a sustainable and self-regulated fintech sector in India.
Who Attended Day 2?
Key figures included:
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Sachin Bansal, executive chairman of Navi Group
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Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm
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Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finland’s ambassador to India
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Arun T Ramchandani, EVP, L&T
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also visited the mega exhibition on Day 2.
What’s Next: Day 3 Preview
The final day will feature key sessions on India’s quick commerce sector.
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Speakers include Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge), Albinder Dhindsa (Blinkit), and Shanti Mohan (LetsVenture)
Other speakers:
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Panneerselvam Madangopal (MeitY Startup Hub CEO)
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Sanjeev Kumar Gupta (KDEM CEO)
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Paavan Nanda (WinZO)
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Satya Prakash Singh (SIDBI GM)
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Vikram Gupta (IvyCap Ventures)
The event will end with the announcement of:
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Winners of the Startup Maharathi Challenge — a search for India’s top early and growth-stage startups
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Winners of the Futurepreneurs Programme — a platform nurturing student innovators from leading colleges
Why It Matters
India is betting on its startups to drive growth, create jobs, and build global influence. With platforms like Startup Mahakumbh, it’s creating the environment and exposure young companies need to succeed.
Are we ready to see India become a global startup superpower by 2047?
Stay tuned for more from the final day of Startup Mahakumbh.