Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged Indian startups to focus on manufacturing and advanced technology over the next decade, with a clear goal of achieving global leadership. Speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Startup India Mission, he said this shift would help create more jobs at home and strengthen India’s role in the global value chain. He added that homegrown startups have already shown strong performance in digital and service sectors.
“Now, it is time for our startups to focus more on manufacturing. Work on new ideas, solve problems. We have to make new products of the best quality in the world. Our goal should be that in the next 10 years, India leads the world in new startup trends and technologies,” the Prime Minister said.
His remarks come at a time when there is a strong push for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He pointed out that nations leading in AI innovation will gain a strategic edge. Referring to the IndiaAI Mission, he said more than 38000 GPUs have been onboarded to reduce high computing costs. The government, he added, is also encouraging the development of indigenous AI on Indian servers, along with efforts in semiconductors, data centres and green hydrogen.
The Prime Minister said sectors such as defence and space technology have been opened to new players. He cited the drone sector as an example where regulatory reforms and trust in innovators have reshaped the industry.
Expressing confidence in the “courage, confidence and innovation” of Indian entrepreneurs, he assured them of continued government support. Calling Startup India a “revolution”, he said it has turned India into the world’s third largest startup ecosystem. The number of startups has grown from fewer than 500 in 2014 to over two lakh today, including nearly 125 unicorns.
“I have always emphasised risk taking. The work that no one is ready to do, and which previous govts avoided…, I take up as my responsibility,” Modi said. “If there is a loss, it will be mine. If there is a gain, it will benefit millions of families in my country.”
He also highlighted that the government has invested Rs 25000 crore through schemes such as the Startup India Seed Fund, Space Seed Fund and NIDHI Seed Support Programme. A Rs 1 lakh crore research, development and innovation scheme has also been launched to support sunrise and deep tech sectors.
Praising women entrepreneurs, Modi said over 45 percent of startups have a female director or partner. “In women led startup funding, India is the second largest ecosystem in the world.”
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