Efforts are on to ensure all startups are registered on DPIIT portal for govt support: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, highlighted the crucial role that startups play in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the Startup Awards & State Ranking Awards function in New Delhi, Goyal outlined key initiatives to further support startups, including the categorization of startups into different sectors for more focused interactions and the sanitization of data to track their development stage and locations.
One of the significant measures is the effort to ensure that all startups are registered on the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) portal, allowing them to avail government support and schemes. Goyal stressed the importance of collaboration and mentoring through the MAARG portal, which stands for Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth of Startup India.
The minister also highlighted the simplification of the process for onboarding startups with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). He encouraged startups to take advantage of reduced fees for patent, copyright, and trademark protection.
To foster innovation and promote startup growth, Goyal announced the upcoming ‘Startup Maha Kumbh’ to be organized in March 2024. The event aims to provide a platform for startups to showcase their ideas and connect with potential investors and collaborators.
Goyal commended the remarkable progress made by the startup sector over the last eight years, emphasizing that it has become an integral part of the national mainstream. He acknowledged the diverse sectors in which startups are making substantial contributions, including MedTech, FinTech, AgroTech, aviation, drones, simulators, and tourism, which he believes holds significant untapped potential.
The minister encouraged startups to explore innovative ideas in sustainable tourism and take inspiration from initiatives like Wed-in-India, as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Goyal emphasized the importance of New Age Skills, Futuristic Tech, AI, and innovation, as highlighted by the Prime Minister during the Vibrant Gujarat event.
Goyal expressed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of both the young and old and urged individuals from all age groups to actively participate in the startup ecosystem. He reiterated that age should not be a barrier to engagement with new ideas and innovation.
Considering India’s emergence as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, Goyal appreciated the achievements in sectors such as millets and food processing. He urged startups to focus on new areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and encouraged them to come up with ideas that simplify life and revolutionize existing ways of working.
In conclusion, Goyal reassured entrepreneurs of continued government support for the startup ecosystem and urged them to leverage India’s vast consumer market. He called for collaborative efforts to transition from an emerging startup system to a developed one, ultimately contributing to India’s growth as a developed nation.
