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When the Indian government launched its Startup India Mission in 2015, it planted the seeds of an entrepreneurial breakout that soon flourished all over India — in cities of ambition and the towns of quiet possibility.
Over the past nine years, an effort that began as a modest campaign to encourage entrepreneurship has blossomed into a successful ecosystem that brings to life big ideas and ambitious plans and creates profitable, disruptive businesses.
On the anniversary of Startup India, we reflect on its incredible journey — celebrating the stars who lit up the stage in 2024 and identifying the rising contenders poised to break through in 2025.
Featured at Techstory: A journey of the Texan girl in the Indian Startup ecosystem.
It is one step and then another towards an everlasting chase of the disruptive, and to the forward-looking innovations of tomorrow.
Milestones achieved: 9 years of growth & impact
The Startup India Mission has been a juggernaut for generating employment, technological innovation, and broad economic benefits.
Empowering 60,000+ startups
From entrepreneurship seeking to take off, to businesses in various stages of their growth.
Startup India has helped many realise their dreams by providing access to funding, mentorship and resources.
Mobilizing 1.5 Trillion plus investments
This mission has sent breakout new markets, as well as comet unicorns into orbit with programs, like the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which show a steadfast dedication to building the most promising early-stage companies.
Creating millions of jobs
Startups proved vital in tackling unemployment on the ground by bringing new energy and innovative ideas to industries across-forum.
Building a strong international front
Indian startups aren’t just making headlines at home — they’re on strong trajectories of international expansion, too, each one garnering the world’s attention.
The Startup India Mission launched nearly a decade ago – still stands as the keystone of the country’s entrepreneurial renaissance, paving ways for paradigm-shifting innovation and strength of economic growth.
2024 Hot Startups: Emerging pioneers
The headline-making breakout ventures and the game changing companies appeared last year across all industries.
Although “top” lists are always a bit subjective, all of these ventures have shown significant momentum — be it via funding milestones, market expansion or product breakthroughs.
These are based on information available to the public:
Zepto
Industry: Quick-Commerce (Grocery Delivery)
What it does: Zepto runs a 10–minute grocery delivery service, emphasizing logistics and local “dark stores” to get orders out quickly.
Recent highlights (2023–2024):
In August 2023, became one of the youngest unicorns in India with a $200 million Series E fund raising led by StepStone Group.
Plans to expand to more tier-1 and tier-2 cities by the end of Q1 2024, targeting a larger position in the ultrafast grocery delivery market.
Skyroot Aerospace
Category: Aerospace & Space Technology
What they do: Skyroot is a private space start-up working to develop vehicles that can launch small satellites.
Their emphasis on cost-effective, flexible rocket systems dovetails with India’s burgeoning private space sector.
Key highlights (2023–2024):
Launched India’s first private rocket Vikram-S (November 2022), to carry out more such commercial launches.
Arranged critical investments including those from top investors such as GIC to support more launches in 2024–25
BluSmart
Sector: Electric Mobility (Ride-Hailing)
What they do: BluSmart is a clean ride-hailing app that is working to reduce carbon emissions in urban transportation by going fully electric.
They own and control their own EV fleet, which distinguishes it from other aggregators, which are driver-owned.
Most recent info (2023–2024):
Company Information: A total of $42 beneficiaries filled both the equity and venture debt buckets in 2023, with most recent growth being planned into additional metros in India in 2024.
Major automakers and charging infrastructure providers seal partnerships to scale EV adoption
Mensa Brands
Sector: E-commerce (Brand Aggregation)
What they do: Mensa Brands buys and scales D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands that are consumer-facing in fashion, beauty, and home. Known as a “house of brands,” it specializes in marketing, supply chain and product development aimed at increasing online sales.
Recent Highlights (from 2023–2024):
Achieved unicorn status in November 2021 (. in close to six months of operations) and, till date, has acquired more than 20 D2C brands
The company continued to focus on enhancing international expansion in 2023–24 by investing in supply chain optimization and market entry into certain international markets for key portfolio brands.
Yulu
Industry: Micro-Mobility (Electric Two-Wheelers)
What they do: Yulu offers dockless electric bikes and scooters in major Indian cities. Through the Yulu app, users can rent vehicles for short-distance travel, to help reduce congestion and pollution.
Notable highlights (2023–2024):
Towards the end of 2023, Yulu received another $9 million in funding from existing investors, to support fleet expansion.
Ongoing collaborations with city municipal corporations regarding dedicated parking zones and superior battery-swapping stations to further augment its role in last-mile mobility.
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Most promising innovators are already on their way to seize the market in the near future, for instance.
This list covers various industries—from healthcare to e-commerce to AI to fintech—reflecting the diversity of India’s budding startup ecosystem.
PharmEasy
Industry: Healthtech & E-pharmacy
They connect patients with pharmacies and diagnostic centers and provide doorstep delivery of medicines and health products.
Why to watch in 2025:
However, the growth in telemedicine and pharmacy sectors post-COVID.
Let me tell you little about centers, hospitals or diagnostics lab can join us with more services and can work as a partner.
KEY MILESTONE ACQUISITION: Thyrocare (one of the largest diagnostic chains in the country) acquired in 2021 for considerable vertical integration
Dream11
Industry: Fantasy Sports & Gaming
For cricket, football, basketball, and more, sports fans can create fantasy teams on Dream11. The team competes in both daily and season-long contests.
Why to watch in 2025:
A giant cricket-loving population fuels steady user growth in India.
Expanding its product lines and targeting international sports markets.
Last Milestone: Regular partners with leading sports leagues (IPL, ISL), further strengthening market leadership.
Nykaa
Climate: Industry Player (Environmental Vegan)
Nykaa is India’s largest beauty and lifestyle retailer, which retail products through online and offline channels.
Why to watch in 2025:
Brisk expansion of product lines for fashion, accessories and home essentials
After domestic IPO success late in 2021, potential international growth.
Key development: It listed on Indian stock exchanges successfully, twinning its founder, Falguni Nayar, among the richest self-made female billionaires in the country.
Supersourcing
Sector HR Tech & Talent Sourcing
In fact, Supersourcing fills the tech talent gap by connecting companies looking to hire remote software developers with those dastardly skilled tech talent.
Why to watch in 2025:
Ongoing trend in favor of remote-work, which have made talent-feeding pool larger borderless across countries.
Exponential increase in tech talent pool in India makes Supersourcing, a bridge reality between Indian clients and international customers.
Recent milestone: Opening North American and European markets and winning clients in both SaaS and enterprise verticals
Worth AI
Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Data Solutions
Worth AI is an intelligent automation software that empowers businesses to perform better by automating operations, analyzing data, and making predictions.
Why to watch in 2025:
Increased interest in generative AI and data analytics across all sectors
Alliances with larger enterprises looking for AI-based operational efficiencies.
Latest succes: Closed a new funding round with tech-oriented VCs to make innovative ML models available to healthcare and financial services
Mirador Therapeutics
Industry: Healthcare & Biotechnology
INDEPTH-01 Solution for Infections and Other Potential ApplicationsAre you involved in this field?
Why to watch in 2025:
India has a fast-growing biotech sector, and government initiatives encourage positive R&D investments.
If clinical trials of and regulatory approvals for their lead drug candidates succeed, would have potential for global impact.
Recent milestone: Expansion of R&D facilities and collaborations with academic institutions, indicating strong pipeline development.
CuspAI
Sector: AI & Robotics
CuspAI focuses on AI-based robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning, providing customers with manufacturing and supply-chain solutions.
Why to watch in 2025:
With manufacturing speeding up its digital transformation, innovative solutions that improve efficiency are in strong demand.
Possibly scaling up into Industry 4.0, working with OEMs and industrial giants.
Display and implement advanced robotic solutions at Trading expos. We secured a pilot project with Multinational Manufacturing companies.
SkillsWave
Industry : Edtech & Skill Development
SkillsWave partners with employers to provide short-term professional courses and upskilling programs in areas like data science, digital marketing, and UI/UX design, among other things.
Why to watch in 2025:
Given the shift to remote/hybrid work, upskilling continues to be a key focus area in India’s job market.
Strengthening links with colleges and corporations, to ensure that curricula have real-world relevance.
Signed new partnerships with tech giants to certify graduates, expanding job placement opportunities.
Figure Markets
Sector: Fintech & Investments
Figure Markets is an online brokerage and wealth management platform that specializes in fractional investing, robo-advisory, and blockchain-based asset trading.
Why to watch in 2025:
Retail investing in India has exploded, and platforms providing a new spectrum of investment options (crypto, fractional stocks, etc.) are mushrooming.
Long way ahead for blockchain tech usage in capital markets – regulatory hurdles exist but growth potential high
Recent milestone: including digital gold and crypto-based smart contracts in its trading suite, catering to tech-savvy investors.
These businesses, some already unicorns and others potential disruptors, reflect India’s vibrant start-up ecosystem.
From healthcare and artificial intelligence to fintech and e-commerce, their innovative products and services are primed to gain even further traction come 2025.
The evolution of their growth trajectories can usually be tracked in their funding news, product rollouts and partnership announcements, so keep an eye out!
Molding the future: What is coming next
As 2025 comes into play, India’s startup scene continues to accelerate.
More than just an enabling platform the Startup India Mission has ensured that entrepreneurs have the runway to experiment, collaborate, and overturn convention. Here’s where these companies are going:
A rallying call to democratize technology and services
Innovative sustainable solutions Expanding global footprints Nurturing user experience through innovative technology
Resilient business model building Encouraging ongoing learning and flexibility
FocusStartup: A New Era in Startup Ecosystems
Over the past nine years, the Startup India Mission has opened new paths for growth and bereft traditional ways of working.
However, as any founder will tell you, vision and passion will only take you so far—real world success requires strategic thinking, long0term planning and trusted mentorship.
FocusStartup gives you just that.
This niche business advisory provides customized strategies, capital raising support, compliance knowledge, and a strong focus on sustainable growth.
For mentorship: Book an appointment with us.
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Rajeev – Digital Evangelist | Startup Consultant | Entrepreneur
With 20+ years in SEO, digital marketing, and data analytics, Rajeev has been instrumental in shaping successful online strategies for global brands. As the former Practice Head – SEO & Analytics at WPP/GroupM India, he led high-impact search and analytics teams for over 14 years.
Beyond corporate leadership, Rajeev is a Startup Consultant & Digital Trainer, helping early-stage ventures scale through digital strategies, investor readiness, and technical consulting. He has also been a lead trainer at Digital Vidya and associated with Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, where he empowered students with practical digital marketing knowledge.
An early-stage investor, he has backed Bihar-based startups like Mostech Softwares and Delhi Foods. His expertise spans SEO, SEM, media planning, mobile app distribution, and website development, ensuring businesses establish a strong digital presence.
He is also very passionate about his mother place or state Bihar and currently, he is working with local entrepreneurs to ensure more digital and e-commerce penetration and want to take it to the next level.
🚀 Exciting new venture coming soon! Stay tuned.
