Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Goyal Urges Investment in 120 Indian Startups
Piyush Goyal, the Indian minister for commerce, told a big audience in New Delhi that he would have put his own money into 120 startups if he weren’t in government.
He talked about a program called Bharat Innovates that helps startups meet investors and big companies.
Goyal said companies should use their profits to research new technology, like quantum computers and biotech.
He also mentioned that India’s exports grew 15% even with tough politics.
Finally, he shared a saying from JRD Tata that money grows when it’s spread out, not piled up, to encourage people to invest more.
Piyush Goyal urged Indian investors to back domestic startups, saying he would have invested in 120 startups if not in government.
He highlighted the government‑backed Bharat Innovates program that connects startups with global investors and industry partners.
Goyal called for companies to reinvest profits into R&D, deep technology, quantum computing, and biotechnology under the “Made in India” brand.
He noted India’s merchandise exports grew 15% amid geopolitical challenges and highlighted nine new free trade agreements covering 38 economies.
Goyal cited JRD Tata’s observation that “money is like manure—it stinks when you pile it up, but grows when spread” to encourage spreading capital.
- Who
- Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister of India
- What
- Urged domestic investors to back Indian startups and highlighted Bharat Innovates, export growth, and new free trade agreements
- When
- During the 22nd JRD Tata Memorial Lecture
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, promote manufacturing, and expand export opportunities
- Speaker
- Piyush Goyal
- Program
- Bharat Innovates
- Number of startups mentioned
- 120
- Export growth
- 15%
- Free trade agreements
- 9
- Covered economies
- 38
- GDP covered
- $60 trillion