ET Soonicorns Summit 2023: Experts from MEITY Startup Hub and TiE Delhi-NCR to unveil blueprints for Indian startup success and rise of future unicorns

Over the past decade, India has masterfully harnessed the startup frenzy, fostering an ecosystem characterised by versatility, collaboration, and a robust entrepreneurial spirit. This dynamic landscape transcends industry boundaries, embraces local nuances, and reflects a multitude of ambitions and intersectional identities. A key driving force behind this ecosystem is the synergy between the public and private sectors, providing a fertile ground for emerging entrepreneurs to thrive. As a result of these collective efforts, India has emerged as a global leader in the startup domain, with a staggering count of over 92,000 startups, collectively valued at $350 billion. Notably, India ranks third worldwide in the number of startups and boasts a growing list of over 100 unicorns, accompanied by more than 100 soonicorns — startups swiftly approaching the coveted $1 billion valuation mark.

These high-growth startups, often credited as category creators, have introduced entirely new industry segments, positioning them as critical players in India's ambitious goal of reaching a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and achieving full-fledged developed nation status by 2047. Startup20 Vision that aims to empower Indian startups as the catalyst for global economic advancement" and the rapidly growing deeptech startup prospects that are fosterting the emergence of future unicorns from sunrise sectors are among the central themes in this thriving ecosystem, propelling innovation, expansion, and global economic impact.

At the Delhi-NCR edition of the ET Soonicorns Summit 2023 – an Economic Times initiative to track the next frontiers of growth for the Indian startup ecosystem – Startup20 Vision and the Deeptech sector will be in focus, with a Keynote Addresses by Jeet Vijay, CEO , MEITY Startup Hub and Geetika Dayal, Executive Director. The Summit – scheduled to be held on November 3, will bring together key policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem stakeholders in Delhi-NCR. It also features the launch of the ET 30 Future Unicorns of Delhi-NCR report.


Register now for the ET Soonicorns Summit

Jeet Vijay, the CEO of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) Startup Hub, will inaugurate the event with an insightful keynote presentation titled ‘Startup20 Vision: Enabling Indian Startups to Become the Engine for Global Economic Growth. During his address, he will offer a visionary perspective on the strategies required to transform Indian startups into significant contributors to the global economy. He will also discuss the pivotal role of MEITY Startup Hub in establishing a favourable startup ecosystem in India by reducing regulatory barriers, improving access to funding, and nurturing innovation. Additionally, he will emphasise the importance of international collaboration and integration for Indian startups to scale globally, the promotion of research and development, and the support for emerging technologies as drivers of economic growth. Furthermore, VIjay will also delve into how we can leverage the Digital India initiative to provide startups with digital infrastructure and connectivity.

Geetika Dayal, Executive Director of TiE Delhi-NCR, will also be giving a keynote address on the theme of India's Deeptech Startup Opportunity: Enabling the Rise of Future Unicorns from Sunrise Sectors. Dayal’s address will shed light on the promising prospects of deeptech startups in India, with a particular focus on their potential to revolutionise sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and more. She will identify emerging sectors in the Indian economy where deeptech startups can thrive and instigate transformative changes. Dayal will also discuss the supportive role of organisations like TiE Delhi-NCR in nurturing deeptech startups through mentorship, funding, and the creation of a robust community. Additionally, she will underscore the importance of original innovation and in-depth research in developing valuable products and services that can effectively compete on a global scale.

The ET Soonicorns Summit 2023 serves as both a celebration of India's startup achievements and an invaluable platform for gaining insights into the future of entrepreneurship in the country. Given the increasingly influential role of startups in global economic growth, India stands on the cusp of becoming a global leader in this domain. The summit will foster collaboration, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to share experiences and work collectively towards a more promising future for the Indian startup ecosystem.

To know more about the ET Soonicorns Summit, visit the website and sign up to participate for the Delhi-NCR edition of the event scheduled for Nov 3.

Register now for the ET Soonicorns Summit