Archive · 26 Aug 2026
India’s Startup Ecosystem Reaches Nearly 250,000, Minister Says
Piyush Goyal spoke to startup founders in Tokyo about India’s businesses.
He said India had only about 400 to 500 startups roughly 10 years ago.
Now, India has nearly 250,000 startups.
He also said the country has more than 130 unicorns.
Unicorns are private companies valued at over one billion dollars.
Goyal said young people are increasingly creating jobs instead of only looking for jobs.
He said entrepreneurs are willing to take risks, learn from failure and try again.
He described this change as something India can be proud of.
Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s startup growth at a Tokyo roundtable.
India’s startups increased from about 400–500 to nearly 250,000 in 10 years.
Goyal said young Indians are increasingly becoming job creators, innovators and risk-takers.
India now has more than 130 unicorns and several hundred soonicorns, he said.
He described the ecosystem’s growth and willingness to learn from failure as a source of national pride.
- Who
- Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Indian startup representatives.
- What
- Goyal highlighted the growth of India’s startup ecosystem to nearly 250,000 startups and more than 130 unicorns.
- When
- Over the 10 years since the launch of Startup India; the exact roundtable date is not stated.
- Where
- Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- To discuss India’s startup ecosystem and emphasize the shift toward entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.
- Speaker
- Piyush Goyal, India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister
- Setting
- A startup roundtable in Tokyo
- Startup growth
- From approximately 400–500 startups to nearly 250,000 in 10 years
- Unicorns
- More than 130
- Soonicorns
- Several hundred, according to Goyal
- Entrepreneurial shift
- Young Indians are increasingly described as job creators, innovators and risk-takers
- Program referenced
- Startup India