India’s 2025 startup surge shows a 24% rise in startups and growing incubators. Maharashtra, Karnataka, UP, and Delhi lead, while DPIIT recognition climbs. Government programs propel 2026 growth.
Startup Ecosystem Statistics and Trends (2024–2025)
As we move into 2026, it’s time to take a closer look at the growth trajectory of India’s startup ecosystem from 2024 to 2025. The statistics reveal promising advancements, showing how both the overall number of startups and the role of incubators are evolving across various regions of India.
1. National Overview: Startups and Incubators
The total number of startups in India saw a significant rise from 157,066 in 2024 to 194,854 in 2025, marking a growth of approximately 24%. This surge underscores the country’s increasing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Alongside this growth, the number of incubators also saw an increase, from 1,277 in 2024 to 1,375 in 2025, further strengthening the support system for new businesses.
National Startup Statistics:
- 2024 Total Startups: 157,066
- 2025 Total Startups: 194,854
- Growth Rate: +24%
Incubators:
- 2024 Incubators: 1,277
- 2025 Incubators: 1,375
- Growth in Incubators: +7.7%
2. Regional Trends: A Closer Look at Key States
The growth in startup numbers is not only evident at the national level but also across specific states. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi continue to lead the charge, with significant increases in both the number of startups and the supporting incubators.
# Maharashtra:
Maharashtra remains the frontrunner with a total of 33,545 startups by December 2025, up from 25,984 in 2024. This represents a healthy growth of 29%, making it the highest among major states.
Maharashtra Startup Statistics:
- 2024: 25,984
- 2025: 33,545
- Growth: +29%
# Karnataka:
Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, continues to be a hub for tech startups. The state saw an increase in startup numbers from 15,305 in 2024 to 19,499 in 2025, a growth rate of approximately 27%. Additionally, Karnataka’s incubator numbers rose from 127 to 135.
Karnataka Startup Statistics:
- 2024: 15,305
- 2025: 19,499
- Growth: +27%
# Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Uttar Pradesh also showed a notable increase, with startups growing from 13,999 in 2024 to 19,113 in 2025. This represents a growth of 36%, marking it as one of the most rapidly growing startup ecosystems in the country.
Uttar Pradesh Startup Statistics:
- 2024: 13,999
- 2025: 19,113
- Growth: +36%
# Delhi:
Delhi saw moderate growth with the number of startups increasing from 14,861 in 2024 to 18,306 in 2025. While it continues to perform well, its growth rate of 23% was slightly lower compared to other states.
Delhi Startup Statistics:
- 2024: 14,861
- 2025: 18,306
- Growth: +23%
3. Emerging Cities and Their Growing Startup Ecosystems
Smaller cities across India are starting to see a rise in entrepreneurial activity, with several cities showing strong growth.
# Nashik:
Nashik’s startup scene has flourished, growing from 694 in 2024 to 784 in 2025 — a growth rate of nearly 13%. This highlights a growing trend of startups emerging from tier-2 cities.
# Sambhaji Nagar and Solapur:
Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) and Solapur are also showing promise. Sambhaji Nagar’s startups grew from 463 in 2024 to 527 in 2025, while Solapur’s numbers increased from 132 to 152.
4. DPIIT-Recognized Startups: Year-on-Year Growth
The DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognition is a significant benchmark for startups, indicating credibility and support from the government. In 2025, the number of DPIIT-recognized startups surged to 194,852, a 32.4% growth from the previous year (147,083 in 2024).
The state of Maharashtra again led the way, with 33,545 DPIIT-recognized startups by the end of 2025. The growth in recognized startups across key cities like Pune (10.8%), Mumbai (7.8%), and Nagpur (11.9%) reflects the ongoing rise of startup ecosystems in these areas.
DPIIT-Recognized Startups — YoY Growth:
- PAN India: 32.4% growth
- Maharashtra: 29% growth
- Pune: 10.8% growth
- Mumbai: 7.8% growth
- Nashik: 12.96% growth
- Sambhaji Nagar: 13.8% growth
5. Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the startup ecosystem in India is expected to continue expanding in 2026 and beyond, driven by increased government support, venture capital investment, and a rising entrepreneurial culture. With the number of incubators and accelerators steadily increasing, the foundation for nurturing innovative startups is stronger than ever.
Sectorwise Startup Growth in Nashik
Key Drivers for Future Growth:
- Government Initiatives: With programs like the Startup India initiative, the government continues to provide funding, resources, and infrastructure for budding entrepreneurs.
- Access to Capital: Venture capital and angel investors are becoming more active, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, allowing more startups to scale.
- Sectoral Growth: Technology, healthcare, fintech, and clean energy are some of the sectors that are expected to dominate the startup landscape in 2026.
To strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, both the Government of India and various state governments have introduced several initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth. The Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, has provided tax exemptions, easier compliance norms, and a host of funding schemes to boost startups across the country. Stand Up India, aimed at supporting women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, provides financial assistance and training. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Atal Tinkering Labs focus on nurturing young minds and fostering an innovative mindset from school level. More recently, the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the National Start-up Advisory Council have enhanced infrastructure and provided a more structured approach to policy-making for startups. Students in colleges and universities can contribute significantly to the ecosystem by leveraging these initiatives — joining incubation centers, seeking government grants, and participating in accelerators. As a startup mentor, I suggest students focus on developing skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and resilience. Networking with experienced entrepreneurs, seeking internships in startups, and engaging in hackathons or innovation challenges are great ways to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, students should actively participate in government-backed programs like Innovative Startups and Student Start-up Innovation Hub (SSIH), which offer mentorship, funding, and resources to student-run startups. By connecting with local incubators and taking advantage of mentorship programs, students can play a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.
Here’s a list of key government initiatives and their respective websites from various ministries that students and budding entrepreneurs can explore to strengthen the startup ecosystem:
1. Startup India (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
- Website:
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/
- Benefits: Provides tax exemptions, funding opportunities, self-certification for compliance, and ease of doing business. The initiative also offers resources for incubators, accelerators, and mentorship.
2. Stand Up India (Ministry of Finance)
- Website:
https://www.standupmitra.in/
- Benefits: Aimed at providing financial assistance for setting up greenfield enterprises, especially for women, SC, and ST communities. Offers bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for new ventures.
3. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) (NITI Aayog)
- Website:
https://aim.gov.in/
- Benefits: Promotes innovation through programs like Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools, Atal Incubation Centers (AICs), and the Atal New India Challenges (ANICs) to address national challenges with innovative solutions.
4. Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) (Ministry of MSME)
- Website: https://kviconline.gov.in/pmegpeportal/
- Benefits: Provides financial assistance for setting up micro-enterprises, especially in rural areas, by offering subsidies and bank loans for the creation of employment-generating projects.
5. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) (Department of Science and Technology)
- Website:
http://www.nif.org.in/
- Benefits: Encourages innovation at the grassroots level by providing recognition, support, and funding for innovative ideas. It focuses on ideas that have been developed at the local level but can be scaled for commercial purposes.
6. Digital India (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology)
- Website:
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/
- Benefits: Aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It offers various schemes for digital literacy, e-governance, and technology innovation, providing a fertile ground for tech-based startups.
7. Skill India (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)
- Website:
https://www.skillsindia.gov.in/
- Benefits: Focuses on providing skill development training to youth, enabling them to contribute effectively to the startup ecosystem. Various training and certification programs are available for entrepreneurship and business skills.
8. Make in India (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
- Website:
https://www.makeinindia.com/
- Benefits: Promotes manufacturing and innovation in India by attracting foreign investment, fostering startups in manufacturing, and providing support for product development, technology integration, and business scaling.
9. Student Start-up Innovation Hub (SSIH) (State Governments & AICTE)
- Website:
https://www.aicte-india.org/
- Benefits: Aimed at providing a platform for students to start their own ventures. It includes funding, mentorship, and resources to incubate innovative ideas and support students with entrepreneurial aspirations.
10. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
- Website:
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/
- Benefits: Provides financial assistance to early-stage startups, offering seed capital to help entrepreneurs develop their ideas into scalable businesses.
11. MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd.) (Ministry of Finance)
- Website:
https://www.mudra.org.in/
- Benefits: Provides micro-financing to small and medium-sized businesses through banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions, helping entrepreneurs with loans up to ₹10 lakh for business expansion and development.
12. MSME Champions Scheme (Ministry of MSME)
- Website:
https://msme.gov.in/
- Benefits: Supports small and medium enterprises with digital tools, capacity building, and creating market linkages. It offers recognition, funding, and promotional support for MSMEs and startups.
13. Technology Development Board (TDB) (Department of Science and Technology)
- Website:
http://www.tdb.gov.in/
- Benefits: Provides financial assistance for the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in the form of equity, loans, or grants to innovative startups.
14. Startup Academy (Ministry of Human Resource Development & AICTE)
- Website:
https://www.aicte-india.org/
- Benefits: A platform designed to nurture student entrepreneurship by providing training, mentorship, and resources to turn ideas into viable businesses.
15. National Start-up Advisory Council (NSAC) (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
- Website:
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/
- Benefits: Advises the government on policies and programs aimed at fostering startups. It offers recommendations and guidelines to further enhance the startup ecosystem in India.
16. Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme (Ministry of MSME)
- Website:
https://kviconline.gov.in/
- Benefits: Supports the setting up of small enterprises through venture capital funding, helping startups with access to equity capital, business strategy, and scaling.
Suggestions for Students:
1. Engage with Incubators and Accelerators: Participate in programs like Atal Incubation Centers or Startup India Hub to get hands-on mentorship and seed funding.
2. Leverage Government Grants and Schemes: Explore SISFS, PMEGP, and MUDRA for financial support, especially at the early stages of your startup.
3. Take Advantage of Skill Development Programs: Use platforms like Skill India to acquire business and technical skills necessary for running a successful startup.
4. Network Actively: Join entrepreneurship events, innovation challenges, and startup competitions to build connections and gain exposure.
By utilizing these platforms and government-backed schemes, students can significantly contribute to and benefit from India’s flourishing startup ecosystem.
In conclusion, India’s startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving, driven by robust government support and a growing network of resources for entrepreneurs. With initiatives at both the national and state levels, aspiring startups have unprecedented opportunities to innovate, grow, and contribute to the country’s dynamic economic future.
If any entrepreneur or student seeking mentorship or startup help, please contact Top Ranked Startup India Mentor — CEng. Shreekant Patil for guidance and support.
CEng. Shreekant Patil, Brand Ambassador for Wallonia – Belgium, is a seasoned Startup India mentor and entrepreneur with extensive experience guiding startups, MSMEs, and export-oriented ventures through government programs and incubation networks. Shreekant mentors in major initiatives such as MAARG, BHASKAR, Startup Setu and Startup India, with collaborations spanning IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, T-Hub, Wadhwani Foundation, and other international platforms. Known for strategic guidance on business planning, funding, and global market expansion, he leads PARENTNashik, a robotics-focused venture, and champions digital transformation and leadership in mentoring across national and global ecosystems. His work centers on nurturing entrepreneurship, especially for students and early-stage startups, by providing structured mentorship and access to government schemes.
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