Atul Kriti
National Startup Day sparks a wave of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit across the nation, celebrating the ingenuity of innovative minds. On this day, aspiring entrepreneurs and established startups come together to showcase groundbreaking ideas, fostering collaboration, and inspiring the next generation of game-changers in the dynamic world of business and technology.
Here is how Indian industry leaders share their insights to commemorate 2024 National Startup Day.
Vishal Salvi, Chief Executive Officer of Quick Heal Technologies Limited stated, “As we celebrate National Startup Day, we reiterate cybersecurity’s pivotal role in fostering resilience within entrepreneurial ecosystems. As the very first Indian cybersecurity startup, we deeply understand the unique challenges startups face ranging from low awareness and budget constraints to seamless implementation and a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. Therefore, our solutions are carefully designed to be simple and sentient ensuring easy deployment, compliance, and robust protection enabling startups to focus on their mission to becoming ‘the next unicorn’.”
Nishith Rastogi, (Founder and CEO of Locus) mentioned, “National Startup Day is a powerful testament to the boundless potential of entrepreneurship, which is instrumental in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fuelling economic growth in India. As an entrepreneur, I am deeply thankful for the consistent support extended by the Government of India to our entrepreneurial landscape. The success story of the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is particularly inspiring in the logistics field, demonstrating how innovative startups can transform entire industries. We actively promote a culture that nurtures entrepreneurship and innovation for the greater good.”
Prateek Jain Associate Director ADIF said, “India is a land of opportunities and possibilities, where startups are not just creating solutions, but also solving problems. We, at ADIF, are committed to supporting the startup ecosystem by advocating for fair business practices, policy reforms, and collaboration. We appreciate the government’s support and guidance to emerging businesses, through initiatives such as the Startup India programme, the National Startup Awards, and the Startup India Innovation Week. However, there is a need for the government and other stakeholders to ensure fair business practices and collaboration to create an even more conducive environment for startups.”
Parag Khurana, Country Manager, Barracuda Networks (India) Pvt Ltd added, “National Start-up Day is a great opportunity to help emerging businesses understand how to protect their fledgling operations, assets, and customers in a world of dynamic and increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats. Essential security technologies including email and network protection, robust authentication and access measures, effective back-ups and data protection should form an integral part of any IT environment. This should be coupled with education for employees on threats to look out for and what they should do if they spot something suspicious. Good habits last a lifetime, and start-ups have a chance to embed cybersecurity awareness and principles from the get-go.”
Deepak Sharma, CEO and Co founder (MedLern) says, “India’s startup ecosystem has undergone considerable expansion, solidifying its standing as the third-largest globally, as highlighted in the Economic Survey 2021-22. HealthTech startups in India are at the forefront of revolutionising the healthcare sector through technological innovation. These ventures leverage cutting-edge technologies to address challenges in healthcare delivery, making services more accessible, efficient, and personalised.
Additionally, startups are actively seeking streamlined regulatory processes and a reduction in bureaucratic obstacles. Simplifying compliance requirements would significantly improve the business environment, making it easier for startups to operate.”
Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder & CEO of IG Drones remarked, “As the startup ecosystem continues to thrive in the country, the Indian drone industry has experienced a remarkable ascent, with a 60 percent growth in 2022. The government’s ambitious target of achieving a $1 billion drone industry by 2025 is supported by various measures, prominently driven by tech startups specialising in drone technology.”
Neeraj Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO, PeakMind says, “A noteworthy surge in the number of mental health startups in the country reflects a positive trend in prioritising mental well-being and adopting innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of the population. However, despite the enactment of mental health legislation and increased awareness of the condition, government funding for mental health falls short. To foster a more conducive regulatory environment, government initiatives and policies supporting mental health will play a crucial role.”
Dr. Debojyoti Dhar, Co-founder & Director, Leucine Rich Bio observes, “India stands among the top five countries with the largest number of startups, a feat made achievable through robust government support. However, considering reduced funding recently, our focus is on securing adequate budget allocation for the healthcare sector. Such an allocation would go a long way in making innovative healthcare and life sciences products accessible to a broader population.”
As the sun sets on National Startup Day in India, a beacon of hope emerges. In the tapestry of entrepreneurial dreams, each thread represents a vision for a brighter future. The collective energy of startups ignites optimism, paving the way for economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements. With innovation as our compass, the nation stands poised for a journey where startups illuminate the path to prosperity, shaping a hopeful and transformative tomorrow.
