India’s Youth Is Ready to Take Risks, Piyush Goyal Calls on Startups to Go Global, Go Deep-Tech at ‘Startup Pe Charcha’

Addressing concerns around traditional sectors such as handicrafts, the Minister underlined the need to integrate technology-driven inventory management to help artisans access digital and e-commerce platforms.

India’s startup revolution is being powered not just by policy reforms or capital inflows, but by a newfound self-confidence among the country’s youth, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal said while addressing the “Startup Pe Charcha” interaction at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Highlighting one of the most visible shifts in a resurgent India, the Minister said young Indians today are far more willing to take risks, pursue entrepreneurship and experiment with bold ideas, marking a decisive break from earlier career hesitations. “This growing self-confidence reflects a deeper transformation in India’s mindset—towards innovation, aspiration and future-ready growth,” he said.

High-Growth Sectors: Tourism, Skills and Tech Convergence

Interacting with founders and achievers at the event, Shri Goyal identified tourism and skill development as sectors with immense untapped potential, both for national development and entrepreneurial success. He emphasised that technology-led solutions can dramatically expand access and impact, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

He stressed the urgent need for training, re-training and re-skilling India’s workforce to prepare for disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cyber security, calling this essential for sustaining India’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global economy.

FTAs Open Global Doors for Indian Startups

On India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developed economies, the Minister said these partnerships create certainty, investor confidence and new global market access for Indian startups.

He encouraged founders to explore startup-to-startup collaborations, cross-border partnerships and overseas expansion, highlighting strong opportunities across services, mobility, digital payments, sustainability, renewable energy and advanced technologies. “FTAs are not just trade instruments—they are growth platforms for India’s startups,” he said.

Big Push for Deep-Tech Innovation

Expressing optimism about India’s deep-tech trajectory, Shri Goyal said recent policy discussions have brought sharper focus on deep-tech innovation, supported by growing engagement from incubators and academic institutions nationwide.

He highlighted that the Government’s second ₹10,000-crore Startup Fund of Funds will play a critical role in backing early-stage and high-risk deep-tech startups, helping them navigate the most challenging phases of growth and commercialization.

Digitising Traditional Sectors, Empowering Artisans

Addressing concerns around traditional sectors such as handicrafts, the Minister underlined the need to integrate technology-driven inventory management to help artisans access digital and e-commerce platforms.

He said the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is ready to support artisans and small producers through onboarding, inventory digitisation and enhanced market access, including integration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)—opening new national and global sales channels.

India’s Space Startups Gain Global Lift-Off

Shri Goyal also highlighted the rapid rise of India’s space startup ecosystem, noting that over 350 startups are currently active in the sector, driven by deep-tech innovation. The sector has already crossed a USD 2 billion valuation, and the government aims to support the emergence of multiple space-tech unicorns in the coming years.

Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains

Concluding the interaction, the Minister emphasised the importance of building strong domestic supply chains by connecting startups and small enterprises with large investors, manufacturers and anchor customers.

He said institutions such as Invest India and DPIIT are actively facilitating these linkages to help startups access captive demand, capital and scale, enabling faster commercialization and sustainable growth.

“India has unmatched talent and an enabling ecosystem. Startups must seize emerging opportunities, take calculated risks and think big—not just for India, but for the world,” Shri Goyal said.

The interaction was attended by Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia; Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv; Co-founder and CMO, boAt, Shri Aman Gupta; Founder & Group CEO, OYO Rooms, Shri Ritesh Agarwal; and Co-founder, Minimalist, Shri Mohit Yadav, among other leaders from India’s startup ecosystem.