Priyanka Tiwari
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Hall 14 at Bharat Mandapam saw crowds gather—not for celebrities, but for a flying taxi prototype by Sarla Aviation. Elsewhere, a defence tech startup demonstrated a battlefield-grade drone to a DRDO official, while a medtech company showcased its 3D bioprinter crafting artificial skin. A Gujarat-based team offered a collaborative chat: “We do something similar with bones.”
These spontaneous connections captured the spirit of Startup Mahakumbh 2024, themed ‘Startup India @ 2047—Unfolding the Bharat Story’. Over 3,000 startups and representatives from 50+ countries took part across 10 sector-focused pavilions covering AI, deeptech, agritech, deftech, gaming, and more.
No Unicorn Hype, Just Ground-Up Innovation
This year’s event marked a shift. Gone were unicorn showcases and sky-high valuations; instead, the buzz centered around deeptech and early-stage startups. From autonomous marine rescue systems to AI-driven robotics, founders emphasized product-driven innovation.
“It felt like a build-it-ground-up moment,” said one startup founder in rural supply chain logistics. The sentiment was echoed by Sanjay Nayar, Assocham President, who said, “Let’s stop counting unicorns and start building startups ready for new-age sectors like AI and defence.”
Big Names, Bigger Crowds
While the vibe was serious, the excitement peaked whenever personalities like Aman Gupta (boAt), CarryMinati, or Bhuvan Bam appeared. Students mobbed their sessions, and security had to restrict entry at points. “Mai bhi ek startup hoon—views kamaata hoon,” joked an attendee.
Meanwhile, Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma energized the audience with an impromptu product launch, reviving “old-school startup energy.”
Ministerial Presence and Provocation
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended all three days. In one session, he criticized the gig economy, saying, “Are we building food delivery apps that turn youth into cheap labor, or startups that push tech innovation like China’s electric mobility?”
The comments sparked debate. Some founders felt criticized, others saw it as a challenge. “He was more visible and involved this year,” said a startup mentor, noting the Minister’s active presence in multiple halls.
Showcasing Tribal and Global Innovations
A standout highlight was the ‘Dharti Aaba Tribepreneurs 2025’ arena—featuring 45 tribal ventures in bamboo crafts, climate tools, and natural farming. It was one of the largest tribal entrepreneur delegations at a national event.
Countries including South Korea, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam also showcased innovations, while Indian states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Assam sponsored hundreds of startup booths.
AI, Hype vs. Value
AI dominated Hall 5, but enthusiasm was tempered by realism. “Why does every pitch mention AI?” one founder asked. A panelist in agritech added, “Too many AI+Bharat decks lack true differentiation or IP.”
Still, genuine breakthroughs stood out. As one attendee put it, “From sea-based rescue vessels to robotics in remote fields—this was frontier tech.”
Gaming Pavilion Goes Student-First
In Hall 6, gaming took center stage with student-focused events like GamePlan, a challenge hosted by Digital India Foundation to combat illegal betting. WinZO and others hosted interactive booths, while cash prizes of up to ₹50,000 were awarded to winners.
The industry leaned into responsible gaming, marking a shift post regulatory scrutiny.
Engagements, Grants, and Ground Realities
Dinner mixers by Startup Policy Forum and Digital India Foundation created space for relaxed, impactful dialogue. Booths by DPIIT, DRDO, SIDBI, and GeM stayed crowded, as founders sought info on grants, IP filings, and startup policies.
Two key competitions—Startup Maharathi and Futurepreneurs—gave away on-ground grants to standout ideas, with a focus on startups outside established networks.
Final Take: Buzz vs. Breakthroughs
Not everyone left impressed. One social media user wrote:
“Expected disruption, found ChatGPT wrappers and MSME-grade pitch decks. More fair, less frontier.”
But others saw value in the chaos:
“Even if 90% is noise, that 10%—like a bone-regeneration startup meeting a bio-printed skin venture—makes it worth it.”
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