SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF STARTUP MAHAKUMBH 2025: MY EXPERIENCE AS AN ECOSYSTEM VISITOR

From April 3rd to 5th, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a business and ecosystem visitor. The event truly lived up to its name – a grand confluence of innovation, entrepreneurship, and national ambition.

A WORLD-CLASS PLATFORM FOR STARTUPS

Startup Mahakumbh 2025 was an exceptional platform for showcasing India's thriving startup ecosystem at both national and global levels. With over 3,000 startups participating, the event offered a window into the country’s entrepreneurial energy, innovation, and resilience. The scale and scope were impressive, and the networking opportunities were unmatched.

BHARAT MANDAPAM – A SYMBOL OF INDIA'S ASPIRATIONS

This was my first visit to Bharat Mandapam, and I was genuinely impressed. The venue reflects international standards in both infrastructure and management. Its vast, modern space provided an ideal setting for an event of this magnitude. The facility stands as a testament to India’s commitment to hosting global-standard events and promoting innovation.

STARTUP PODS – INNOVATION ON DISPLAY

One of the highlights for me was the startup pods. With thousands of stalls, it was inspiring to see such a diverse range of innovations across sectors—healthcare, agritech, fintech, edtech, and more. Each startup had a unique story, and their passion was contagious. The energy in these pods was truly electrifying.

AN ECOSYSTEM UNDER ONE ROOF

For the first time, I witnessed the entire startup ecosystem under one roof. From unicorns to early-stage ventures, from policymakers to investors, the synergy was palpable. I had the privilege to visit pavilions of leading organizations such as DPIIT, GeM, Digital India, Bhashini, Coffee Board of India, PayTM, and leading banks. The presence of these entities shows the government’s strong support and the ecosystem's maturity.

Notably, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) played a pivotal role during the event. As a strategic presenting partner, GeM engaged with a wide range of startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. Their pavilion saw massive footfall, resolving over 2,500 queries and facilitating more than 1,000 startup registrations and cataloging. Additionally, GeM hosted over 1,500 interactive sessions, including one-on-one mentoring and group engagements focused on onboarding and skilling through their Learning Management System (LMS).
Source: PIB Press Release

RISE JHANSI INCUBATION CENTER – PROUD REPRESENTATION

What made the event even more special for me was the participation of our startups from the Rise Incubation Center, Jhansi. Four of our incubated startups—

• Marsallime,

• Bekar Ko Aakar,

• Panther Info, and

• SOWL

—had their own stalls and showcased their innovative work. Seeing them represent our region at a national platform was a proud and fulfilling moment.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Startup Mahakumbh 2025 was not just an event—it was a celebration of India’s entrepreneurial spirit. It brought together visionaries, changemakers, and innovators, all working toward a common goal: a self-reliant and globally competitive India. I return from the event inspired, connected, and hopeful for the future of our startup ecosystem.

For more detailed insights, you can refer to the official press release by PIB.