World Entrepreneurs Day 2023: India's Way To Largest Startup Economy
The startup ecosystem in India has been rapidly expanding, particularly in the past decade. A large and growing pool of tech talent, rising investment from domestic investors, and favourable government regulations are driving this expansion. Young entrepreneurs have ventured into every industry across the country. Over the last decade, India has seen over 100 unicorns. When a startup's valuation exceeds USD 1 billion, it is referred to as a unicorn.
With over 90,000 startups, India has become the hub of startups. Around 110 unicorns are collectively valued at USD 347 billion and have raised over USD 99 billion. As far as the number of startups is concerned, India is preceded by the USA and China.
From producing its first unicorn, InMobi, in 2011, to reaching the century mark of unicorns in India by 2022, the Indian startup ecosystem has had a long and dramatic ride. The country is experiencing an unprecedented rise in venture capital investment and IT entrepreneurship, and startup-friendly initiatives have played a key role in this. However, several challenges remain, such as a lack of financial access, regulatory barriers, and a shortage of competent talent across the country. On the occasion of World Entrepreneurs Day 2023, industry players shared their experiences, perspectives, and recommendations for shaping India's future as the largest startup ecosystem in the coming decades.
Where does India stand as the third largest startup ecosystem as compared to five years ago?
"This growth can be attributed to a myriad of factors such as increased government support, access to funding, and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. Moreover, the startup count has multiplied across the tech, e-commerce, and fintech sectors, leading to numerous billion-dollar unicorns," says Kavinder Khurana, Managing Director, Tesla Power USA.
"Motivated by our government policies and the successful stories of some big names in startups, the registration numbers of the startups grew five times in the past five years. But the success of this ecosystem is more evident from the number of unicorns that India is producing every year, highlighting the business success of the startups. As per reports, we produce three unicorns per month, which is unmatchable in any other country," says Prabhjot Kaur, Director and Co-founder of Esmito.
What are the macro-factors driving the unicorn culture in the Indian startup ecosystem?
"The rise of digital businesses in India got a boost from the work-from-home trend during the pandemic, leading to more unicorn startups. Incubators and accelerators are vital in our startup world, offering resources, funding, and connections. Funding from venture capital, angels, and crowdfunding is a big help. India loves entrepreneurship, and more people now consider it a career option. With government backing, a growing talent pool, and a culture that values startups, India is on track to be a top global startup hub," says Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace.
"An emerging mindset that prioritises entrepreneurship above traditional job pathways has fueled ambitious endeavours. Entrepreneurs now possess best practises and broad perspectives thanks to global exposure gained through education and collaboration. Last but not least, India's problems, whether they be in healthcare, agriculture, or pet care, offer special opportunities, transforming hurdles into creative crucibles," says Anushka Iyer, Founder and CEO, Wiggles.
"Two predominant macro-factors fueling the unicorn culture within India's startup ecosystem are the growing inclination of Indian youth towards entrepreneurship as a viable career path and the phenomenon of the "4-Minute Mile" effect on the unicorn culture, marking a paradigm shift towards the unstoppable pursuit of ambitious goals," says Krishna Reddy, Co-founder, Nourish You.
What challenges lie ahead?
Anirudh A Damani, Managing Partner, Artha Venture Fund, highlights regulatory ambiguities, banking infrastructure, and access to capital as the most concerning challenges for startups.
For Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, Okaya Electric Vehicles, one of the challenges is, "Navigating India's complex regulatory landscape, including taxation, foreign investment, and most importantly, dealing with new laws and compliances and also ensuring everything is compliant, can be daunting for startups, creating uncertainty for businesses."
"While the startup ecosystem of India has managed to capture global imagination and interest, challenges like intense competition, regulatory complexities, and talent retention need to be addressed to retain the momentum. Overcoming these hurdles demands strategic differentiation, focusing on business sustainability and innovation to compete in the global marketplace," says Hari Krishnan Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning.
India has the highest number of working young entrepreneurs. How can startups leverage it?
"Startups can partner with young entrepreneurs to develop new products or services. Young entrepreneurs are often tech-savvy and have a modern perspective, which can be valuable for startups. Moreover, to help them develop their businesses and achieve their goals, startups can get involved in the startup community by attending events, networking with other entrepreneurs, and providing support to new businesses," says Dinesh Arjun, CEO and Co-founder of Raptee Energy.
"The demographic dividend is a huge positive for us, as recently articulated by the PM on the occasion of Independence Day. The vibrancy and raw energy of youth need to be harnessed and channelled effectively. Keeping young talent engaged meaningfully would be a challenge," says Neogi, Executive Director and Co-founder, Escrowpay.
"India's abundance of young entrepreneurs presents a unique advantage for startups to tap into fresh perspectives, dynamic energy, and innovative thinking, fostering a thriving ecosystem that capitalises on this demographic dividend," says Param Bhargava, Co-founder, The Ayurveda Company.
