New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India’s startup revolution has become central to the nation’s idea of progress, noting that millions now see young innovators as the face of the future. Speaking at the National Startup Day event in New Delhi, he observed that people no longer need explanations on why startups matter – job creation, technology shifts, social transformation, and rising global ambition all offer the answer.
Modi emphasised that the ecosystem has become a national force, inspiring students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. What was once considered a risky career detour has turned into a mainstream aspiration as families increasingly encourage children to build companies, not simply chase salaried roles.
Reflecting on the decade-long transformation since the launch of Startup India, the PM said the initiative has democratised opportunity. Startups today are as likely to emerge from small towns as from major metros, he remarked, adding that the participation of women has reshaped the landscape and delivered new models of leadership. He stated that the surge of fresh ideas proves India is not only embracing innovation, but also rewriting who gets to innovate.
Modi also linked the success of startups to changing attitudes in governance, arguing that a country must be willing to take risks if it hopes to lead the world. He suggested that his administration has consistently pushed into new territory – whether in technology regulations, space and defence sectors, or digital reforms – so that young innovators find fewer barriers and more support, according to an official statement.
He noted that major policy measures have laid the foundation for this growth, partly through education and incubation programmes, and partly by simplifying processes that previously discouraged entrepreneurship. Government procurement reforms, liberalised market access, and a push for transparency, he said, have allowed thousands of new firms to compete and earn from public platforms.
The PM urged founders to continue thinking beyond incremental gains and to develop solutions that place India at the forefront of global competition. Calling startups a mirror of national confidence, he said the next leap will come through deep technology, AI, and manufacturing-led innovation – areas where India is now positioning itself for leadership.
Closing his address, Modi said the transformation of the last ten years proves that the country is capable of scaling new peaks. The next decade, he added, will show whether India not only nurtures startups but turns them into companies that shape markets worldwide.
