Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday celebrated the 10-year milestone of the Startup India mission, praising Indian youth for tackling real-world challenges and driving innovation across the country. Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, he lauded startup founders for boosting India’s global image and shaping a self-reliant, resilient economy.

Modi highlighted the dramatic growth since 2014, when India had fewer than 500 startups and just four unicorns. Today, the country boasts over 2,00,000 startups and more than 125 active unicorns, working across sectors such as deep tech, space tech, AI/ML, drone technology, agritech, and quantum tech. He noted that these ventures are creating jobs, launching IPOs, and positioning India as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.

Recalling the challenges of a decade ago, Modi said startups were once seen as a path to failure and largely limited to the wealthy, but the Startup India initiative opened doors for youth from tier-2 and tier-3 cities and villages, promoting inclusive growth. He emphasized the significant role of women, with around 45% of recognized startups having at least one woman director or partner, making India the second-largest ecosystem for women-led startup funding.

Looking ahead, Modi urged startups to focus more on manufacturing, creating world-class products, and leading in technological innovation. He assured the government’s continued support for young innovators and their ventures, calling the 10-year journey a testament to the dreams and determination of India’s youth.