Big boost for start-ups! Modi government organised first-ever 'Startup India Innovation Week' starts from Monday: See what is on the agenda

The Narendra Modi led central government is set to organise the first-ever 'Startup India Innovation Week' from January 10, 2022 to January 16, 2022, reported Zee Business reporter Ambarish Pandey. 

See Zee Business Live TV Streaming Below:

The event aims to bring together country's key startups, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, funding entities, banks, policymakers etc under one platform to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation.

It has to be noted that the 'Startup India Innovation Week' is designed to showcase the spread and depth of entrepreneurship across India. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is organizing the first-ever Startup India Innovation Week from January 10 to January 16, 2022. 

This virtual week-long innovation celebration aims to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and is designed to showcase the spread and depth of entrepreneurship across India.

Interestingly, in the startup world, 2021 has been recognised as the 'year of unicorns,' with 40+ unicorns added in the year.

India is emerging as a global innovation hub, boasting the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. DPIIT has recognised more than 61,000 startups as on date. Our startups representing 55 industries, spread across 633 districts with at least one startup from every State and UT of the country have created over 6 lakh jobs since 2016. 45% of the startups are from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and 45% of them are represented by women entrepreneurs. Startups have the potential to accelerate India's integration into global value chains and create global impact.

This startup and innovation festival's primary goal is to bring together the country's key startups, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, funding entities, banks, policymakers, and other national/international stakeholders to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation. Furthermore, to exchange knowledge on nurturing startup ecosystems; to develop entrepreneurial ecosystem capacities; to mobilise global and domestic capital for startup investments; to encourage and inspire the youth for innovation and entrepreneurship; to provide market access opportunities to startups; and to showcase high-quality, high-technology, and frugal innovations from India.

With participation of States/UTs and various departments of Government of India, the week-long programme will address key aspects of the startup ecosystem through interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations based on themes such as Academia & Mentorship Support to Startups, Incubation and Acceleration Support to Startups, Market Access through Corporates & Government to Startups, and Funding & International Avenues to Go Global. In addition, based on the identified themes, there will be various parallel activities such as Experience Booths, Pitching or Reverse Pitching Sessions, and Innovation Showcases.

The highlights of the week-long celebrations are as follows: 

• Prime Minister’s interaction with startups
• Result Declaration of National Startup Awards 2021
• Launch of Doordarshan Startup Champions 2.0 show
• Roundtable with Global Investors and domestic funds
• Launch of Open Network for Digital Commerce Digital Strategy
• Launch of ‘Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge’ by Department of Fisheries

Furthermore, it has to be noted that on the sixth day, PM Modi is expected to interact with startups and address Startup India Innovation Week at 10.30 AM via video conferencing in closed-door event. 

For this interaction, 150+ startups have been divided into six working groups based on themes such as “Growing from Roots; Nudging the DNA; From Local to Global; Technology of Future; Building Champions in Manufacturing; and Sustainable Development. The aim of the interaction is to understand how startups can contribute to the national needs by driving innovation in the country and how government can assist them with the same. 

This day will also include the announcement of winners of National Startup Awards 2021, recognizing outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation, wealth creation, and social impact.