A Decade of Economic Transformation
Startup India, launched in 2016, has in ten years transformed India into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 2.1 lakh recognized ventures, 120+ unicorns valued at $350 billion, and millions of jobs created across diverse sectors.
Over the past decade, Startup India has evolved from a policy initiative into a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation. It has shifted India’s identity from a nation of job seekers to one of job creators. The initiative has democratized entrepreneurship across Tier II and Tier III cities, breaking the dominance of metros and ensuring that innovation is not confined to a few regions. Women-led ventures have seen significant growth, reflecting a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
The CREST Confluence
CREST at IIT Madras is proud to host the upcoming “IIT-CREST Confluence Symposium on Start-ups and Innovation”, marking a decade of entrepreneurial transformation under the Startup India initiative. To celebrate this remarkable journey, CREST is unveiling its commemorative publication, The Start-up Decade, a tribute to ten years of innovation, resilience, and growth in India’s start-up ecosystem.
The publication offers valuable insights into the trends, learnings, and developments that have shaped the startup ecosystem over the years. Further, the symposium also honours CREST’s own achievement of completing 5 successful years of fostering innovation and research.
The symposium brings together a diverse community of thought leaders, practitioners, and ecosystem participants. It has been designed to deepen understanding of the factors influencing best practices, investments, and venture creation through meaningful engagement among stakeholders.
Beyond celebration, the event represents a renewed commitment to expanding CREST’s impact, attracting wider participation, and strengthening its role in shaping the ecosystem going forward.