National Startup Day 2024 is a transformative catalyst, going beyond an event to unveil a world where startups pioneer progress and innovation breaks bounds. It’s a celebration of stories echoing resilience, audacity, and the tenacity to convert dreams into reality. Technologies unveiled showcase a future shaped by imaginative minds, from groundbreaking AI to sustainable solutions. Shared insights serve as guiding lights in the intricate maze of startup endeavors. This day fosters collaboration, where partnerships become milestones in the collective journey of innovation. National Startup Day 2024 isn’t just a date; it’s a proclamation that the future is actively being shaped, molded, and sculpted by ideas, technologies, and collaborations sparked on this day.
Quotes from Visionaries: Delve into the minds of entrepreneurial trailblazers as we present their insightful quotes on National Startup Day, capturing the essence of innovation, resilience, and the boundless possibilities that startups bring to the forefront:
Eklavya Gupta, Co-founder and CO-CEO at Recur Club: “Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated January 16 as India’s National Startup Day, describing startups as the backbone of ‘New India’. Dominating the international market with its disruptive tech-driven solutions and services, India presents a host of opportunities for the country’s flourishing entrepreneurship sector today. Hence, the commemoration and celebration of startups by the government is indicative of its focused efforts to support Indian brands and businesses with favourable policies and regulations, increased accessibility to knowledge and guidance, and provisions to streamline financing. With digitalization and technology empowerment driving the startup revolution in India, this day is of special significance for ambitious and innovative ventures that solve real-world challenges for both customers and entrepreneurs, all over the country.”
Sandeep Gudibanda – CEO and Co-Founder of HealthPlix Technologies: “India is the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world, and its ranking on the Global Innovation Index has progressed to 46. This demonstrates that start-ups are driving innovation in India! It’s no secret that this culture of start-up innovation, which didn’t exist a decade ago, has put India on the global map and solving some of most difficult problems for Bharat! As the founder of a health tech start-up, I firmly believe 2022 will be a golden year for Indian healthcare system. Celebrating National Start-up Day will help to fuel the growth of start-ups, which will help us see through the pandemic era!”
Padmakumar Nair, CEO & Co-founder of Ennoventure Inc.: “According to a report by Invest India, the entrepreneurial landscape in India is thriving, with approximately 1,12,718 DPIIT-recognized firms dispersed across 763 districts as of October 3, 2023. This significant presence underscores the widespread impact of startups on the nation’s economic fabric. India has ascended to become the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, a testament to the innovation and resilience ingrained in our entrepreneurial community.
National Startup Day serves as a momentous occasion to acknowledge the contributions of Indian startups to the nation’s innovation ecosystem. As we rejoice in the entrepreneurial spirit that propels these ventures, it becomes imperative to collaborate with stakeholders within the startup community. Together, we can forge a path that empowers startups to be integral contributors to the nation’s development and economic prosperity. Our collective vision must extend towards positioning India as a global hub for skills and innovation, catalyzing positive transformations within the startup landscape.
At Ennoventure, we align ourselves with this dynamic ecosystem, contributing to the global change narrative by combating counterfeiting through our covert brand protection technology. On this National Startup Day, we renew our commitment to fostering customer trust, protecting brand integrity, and making substantial strides in our mission to end counterfeiting.”
Amol R Deshmukh, Founder and CEO, MedRabbits: “National Startup Day celebrates the dynamic spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation propelling growth across diverse sectors. In the domain of healthcare, startups stand as catalysts for change, ushering in transformative solutions to confront pressing challenges. Today, we find ourselves on the brink of a healthcare revolution where technology converges with compassion, giving birth to innovative approaches to patient care. According to recent study reports, India’s home healthcare market is projected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.40% from 2022 to 2030 and is expected to reach $295 million by 2030. This rising demand for home healthcare is attributed to the simultaneous growth of India’s geriatric population and dependency ratio.
The search for dependable and skilled healthcare providers for home care has brought to light a significant deficiency in the provision of high-quality healthcare. This situation has highlighted the considerable challenges faced by families managing the health requirements of their elderly relatives, underscoring the critical need for a solution that integrates expertise, reliability, and innovation.
At MedRabbits, we’re reshaping healthcare by bringing innovation home. Our unwavering commitment to excellence is reflected in the careful selection, training, and background verification of our dedicated care providers. Leveraging advanced technologies, we ensure a seamless and professional home healthcare experience. Addressing the essence of what makes time and health invaluable, MedRabbits aims to be your steadfast healthcare ally, revolutionizing home healthcare with compassion, one innovative service at a time.”
Vishal Salvi, Chief Executive Officer, of Quick Heal Technologies Limited: “In today’s digitized landscape, cybersecurity is vital for all businesses, especially for startups where digital dependency is quite high and is also key to their scalability and success. As we celebrate National Startup Day, we reiterate cybersecurity’s pivotal role in fostering resilience within entrepreneurial ecosystems. As the very first Indian cybersecurity startup, we deeply understand the unique challenges startups face ranging from low awareness and budget constraints to seamless implementation and a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. Therefore, our solutions are carefully designed to be simple and sentient ensuring easy deployment, compliance, and robust protection enabling startups to focus on their mission to becoming ‘the next unicorn’,”
Nishith Rastogi, Founder, and CEO, of Locus: “National Startup Day is a powerful testament to the boundless potential of entrepreneurship, which is instrumental in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fueling economic growth in India. As an entrepreneur, I am deeply thankful for the consistent support extended by the Government of India to our entrepreneurial landscape. The success story of the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is particularly inspiring in the logistics field, demonstrating how innovative startups can transform entire industries.
At Locus, we firmly believe that the government’s visionary initiatives, exemplified by programs like Digital India, act as ideal launchpads for Indian entrepreneurs. These initiatives encourage them to push boundaries, making a significant impact continually. We actively promote a culture that nurtures entrepreneurship and innovation for the greater good.”
Prateek Jain, Associate Director ADIF: “India is a land of opportunities and possibilities, where startups are not just creating solutions, but also solving problems. We, at ADIF, are committed to supporting the startup ecosystem by advocating for fair business practices, policy reforms, and collaboration. We appreciate the government’s support and guidance to emerging businesses, through initiatives such as the Startup India programme, the National Startup Awards, and the Startup India Innovation Week. However, there is a need for the government and other stakeholders to ensure fair business practices and collaboration to create an even more conducive environment for startups. On this National Startup Day, we laud budding businesses across the nation for their innovation and resilience, and we also urge the government to further extend its support to these startups by creating a level playing field for them through policy reforms and regulatory measures.”
Dr. Jay Prakash Co-Founder & CEO of Silence Laboratories: “National Startup Day reflects India’s commitment to nurturing an ecosystem where technology and entrepreneurship are not just encouraged but are also aligned with global standards of data integrity and privacy. India’s remarkable journey in digitalizing public infrastructure, especially through initiatives like the UPI, Account Aggregation and ONDC exemplify this commitment. These platforms have not only democratized financial transactions but have also set a global precedent in efficient and secure digital payment systems and collaborations.
As we advance, the focus on privacy and secure data collaboration becomes increasingly critical. The rapid digital transformation in India necessitates a paradigm shift towards ‘privacy by design’ – integrating privacy at the foundational level of technological development.
India’s unique position in this digital era is not just about adopting new technologies but about pioneering in building next-generation digital public infrastructure that inherently respects and protects user privacy. By championing secure data collaboration frameworks across financial institutions and other sectors, India can set a global example of how to balance innovation with data protection.
National Startup Day, therefore, is a reminder and a commitment to a future where technological advancements are synonymous with enhanced privacy and security, paving the way for a digital ecosystem that is not only cutting-edge but also inherently safe and user-centric.”
Vinod Nair, President – Noventiq India: “Since its opening in 2014 with just 2 employees, Noventiq India has transcended to become a leader in digital transformation and cybersecurity. Our growth trajectory is not exactly a story of a startup but it is a testament to our integration into the vast and dynamic Indian market of technology, which offers incredible opportunities. With over 3,200 employees in India and 6,400 globally, our technical workforce is at the heart of our success, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit we cherish and innovating constantly to help companies digitally transform. The Startup ecosystem in India has contributed immensely to Noventiq’s growth in India and today, as we commemorate Startup Day, we reflect on our unique journey – one that is fueled by innovation and a steadfast commitment to fortifying the digital realm. In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, We are not just adapting but redefining the boundaries of security. Today, as we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship, we also acknowledge the immense potential that India offers. Our unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that each innovation not only contributes to a safer digital world but also harnesses the vast potential of our presence in India.”
Ravinder Goyal, Co-founder, Erekrut HR Automation Solution Pvt Ltd: “On this National Startup Day, amidst a funding winter, India’s HR tech landscape shines with resilience. Despite global headwinds, 2023 witnessed nearly 1,000 HR tech startups raising over $11 billion, underscoring the vast potential in transforming workplace operations. This success is attributed to a focus on fundamentals, with 60% of founders reporting increased revenues, validating the resilience fostered by timely innovations such as AI in recruiting and flexible work policies.
However, challenges persist, including regulatory hurdles and the need for guidance in navigating market access and scaling funds. Addressing these could solidify India’s position as a global HR tech powerhouse. The future blueprint involves the nimble evaluation of emerging work models and addressing ecosystem-specific pain points. As work paradigms and employee expectations evolve, HR tech must drive disruption while enhancing organizational health.
At such a crucial juncture, the key to innovation lies in understanding and responding quickly to the unique needs of India’s startups. By learning from the past year’s progress and strategically investing in problem-solving for tomorrow, we can reshape global workforces.”
Ms. Zaiba Sarang, Co-founder of iThink Logistics: “Innovation and entrepreneurship are the key drivers of growth and development in the country. Startups are crucial for the economy and society, as they create jobs, solve problems, and drive innovation. Over the last decade, there has been unprecedented growth and impact of many startups in various sectors and domains, revolutionizing business as we know it. On this National Startup Day, we, are proud to celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and support to all the entrepreneurs who are working hard to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.”
Mr. Rohan Shravan, Founder and CEO of Tresa Motors: “India has demonstrated tremendous entrepreneurial talent, with startups at the forefront of transformative change across industries. National Startup Day celebrates this spirit of innovation that enables ideas to become reality. We at Tresa Motors applaud India’s vibrant culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. As pioneers in the EV sector, we are proud to be part of the startup ecosystem that is propelling our nation towards a $5 trillion economy.
Our mission aligns with the promise of this day – to revolutionize and lead India’s medium and heavy commercial EV market while also setting global benchmarks for auto sector innovation. We firmly believe startups will steer India’s journey to becoming a cardinal leader on the world stage. We hope this day serves as an inspiration to turn promising visions into tangible ventures that elevate India. Together, we can unleash the power of startups and shape the future of our nation.”
Mr. Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX: “In the crypto space, there’s a collective belief in the pivotal role startups play in shaping Digital India’s future. Recognizing entrepreneurship’s vital importance, January 16th is now celebrated as National Startup Day following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement. He emphasized startups as the backbone of a new India, especially as the nation approaches its centenary of independence. India stands as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 98,000 startups acknowledged by April 2023 under the Startup India scheme. Government initiatives like the Fund of Funds for Startups, Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, and Credit Guarantee Scheme offer comprehensive support. Embracing this era of rapid industry evolution, entrepreneurs are urged to contribute to realizing India’s 5 trillion-dollar economy vision.”
Parag Khurana, Country Manager, Barracuda Networks (India) Pvt Ltd: “National Start up Day is a great opportunity to help emerging businesses understand how to protect their fledgling operations, assets, and customers in a world of dynamic and increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats. Cybersecurity underpins long term business growth and success, and it doesn’t need to be resource intensive or complicated. Essential security technologies including email and network protection, robust authentication and access measures, effective back-ups and data protection should form an integral part of any IT environment. This should be coupled with education for employees on threats to look out for and what they should do if they spot something suspicious. There are service providers and vendors who can support new businesses in implementing and managing the security that is right for them. This is increasingly important because in today’s digital age, where threats are persistent and target organizations at any time of day or night, round-the-clock protective services provided by a specialist partner can make all the difference. Good habits last a lifetime, and start-ups have a chance to embed cybersecurity awareness and principles from the get-go.”
