Startup Mahakumbh Unveils Startup maha Rathi Venture With Rs 30 Crore prize Pool



In an enormous flow to reinforce India's start-up ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched the Startup maha Rathi venture under the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh.


This flagship initiative, launched in collaboration with Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, the karnataka wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital Economic System Venture (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, and others, aims to empower startups with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance.


The task aligns with India's long-time period vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' fostering innovation throughout eleven key sectors, together with AI & DeepTech, BioTech & HealthTech, Gaming & sports activities, Fintech, Mobility, Agritech, B2B & Precision production, D2C, ClimateTech, and Defence & SpaceTech. With a prize pool of as much as Rs 30 crore, the program will provide a decision to begin in the united states of America with financial offers, networking opportunities with global traders, and mentorship from enterprise leaders.


Multi-phase choice process


The software window for the challenge opened on february 26, 2025, and the beginning can apply till march 7, 2025. The choice method consists of:


- wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital jury presentations from march 15-25, 2025.


- Stay pitching finale from april 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.


Each shortlisted start-up that accomplishes the grand jury round will receive a minimal grant of Rs 1 lakh. The top start Americans in every area could be provided Rs 10 lakh each, while the subsequent five will receive Rs 5 lakh each. Additionally, the subsequent five begin in the U.S. in every region and will cost Rs three lakh each.


Industry Leaders Weigh In


Union minister for Commerce and Enterprise, Shri piyush Goyal, emphasized the initiative's transformative effect: "The Startup maha Rathi initiative marks a pivotal stride toward reaching India's imaginative and prescient of 'Viksit Bharat 2047.' With the aid of providing strategic monetary aid and professional mentorship, this initiative will empower the kingdom's most promising startups to scale, innovate, and drive transformative exchange, strengthening India's role as a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation."


DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia noted that the undertaking would play a critical position in riding India's startup surroundings ahead: "By way of enabling a strong innovation-driven subculture, the initiative will play a pivotal function in shaping the next generation of disruptive marketers."


DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjiv highlighted the initiative's assignment: "Our aim is to bridge the space between startups and buyers, supplying a structured, excessive-impact platform for startups in the united states of America to exhibit their innovations and benefit from direct access to funding and mentorship."


A Platform for India's Destiny Unicorns


The venture is predicted to assess over 5,000 start-ups, presenting them a unique opportunity to scale with the backing of 100+ leading VCs, angel traders, and area professionals.


Anjali Bansal, founding partner at Avaana Capital, emphasized the significance of the initiative: "Tasks like Startup maha Rathi provide catalytic assistance to marketers fixing for India's critical priorities—green increase, sustainability, electricity transition, meal structures, agriculture, and deep tech. The programs not only show off India's entrepreneurial power but also reinforce our capacity to broaden scalable solutions aligned with countrywide priorities and role india as a worldwide leader to accelerate in the direction of a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive Viksit Bharat."


Prashant Prakash, founding associate at Accel, said, "Aimed at comparing greater than 5,000 startups, Startup maha Rathi provides a unique opportunity to discover and invest in startups that have the ability to drive India's financial transformation. We are proud to collaborate on this initiative and help entrepreneurs in scaling their corporations with the proper monetary and strategic backing."


A way to apply


Programs for the Startup maha Rathi 2025 will open on february 26, 2025, with a cut-off date of march 7, 2025.


The subsequent round for start-ups, which can be shortlisted after a preliminary screening, will need to provide a jury panel between march 15 and 25.


Eligible start-ups ought to be DPIIT-identified, of their early or increase tiers, and operating as a private constrained company, LLP, or partnership company in India.


Applications are open until march 7, 2025, and fascinated start-ups can follow through the legitimate Startup india website: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/ams-



Find out more: