In the realm of fostering entrepreneurial endeavors, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have emerged as exemplar states, showcasing commendable prowess in the promotion of startup ecosystems. The year 2022 witnessed these states taking noteworthy strides to support burgeoning entrepreneurs, earning them top ranks in the startup performance evaluation. Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Telangana also secured positions as distinguished performers in this dynamic landscape.

This revelation comes from the recent startup rankings for 2022, unveiled by the esteemed Union Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, on a Tuesday. These rankings, meticulously curated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), a key component of the Commerce Ministry, shed light on the proactive measures taken by states and union territories to fortify the startup ecosystem.

In a forthcoming meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Minister Goyal is set to engage with high-ranking representatives from approximately 40 unicorn startups, including Lenskart, Zerodha, CarDekho, EasyMyTrip, and Boat.The discussions aim to delve into strategies for sustaining sectoral growth, unraveling potential risks, and outlining plans for domestic capital mobilization.

The DPIIT report, a comprehensive assessment involving 33 states and UTs, categorizes them across five tiers: best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems. During the unveiling of the startup ranking report, Minister Goyal emphasized the pivotal role startups will play in steering the nation towards development during the Amrit Kaal. He extended an impassioned call to individuals of all age groups, urging them to actively participate in the startup ecosystem, thereby contributing to the realms of research and innovation.

Addressing the future trajectory of India, Goyal asserted that new-age skills, futuristic technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation will intricately chart the roadmap. This sentiment resonates with the overarching vision of the Startup India initiative, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16, 2016. This initiative aims to fortify the nation’s entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation, encouraging startup ventures, and attracting investments.

Currently, the government officially recognizes over 117,000 startups, each eligible to seek specific tax incentives, further propelling the ethos of innovation and economic dynamism.