Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Startup India initiative, calling it a “revolution” that has transformed India into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Speaking at a programme held at Bharat Mandapam on National Startup Day, Modi praised the nation’s youth for driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

“Remember, what the situation was like 10 years ago… There was no scope for individual effort and innovation at all. We challenged those circumstances, we launched Startup India, and we gave the youth an open sky, and today the result is in front of us. In just 10 years, the Startup India mission has become a revolution,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the initiative’s impact on India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Modi hailed young innovators, stating that the programme is not merely a government project but a celebration of “thousands and lakhs of dreams coming to life.” He emphasized that the initiative has empowered countless individuals to turn their ideas into successful businesses, shaping India into a hub for innovation and job creation.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to the increasing participation of women in the startup ecosystem. “Currently, over 45 per cent of recognized startups in India have at least one female director or partner. In terms of women-led startup funding, India boasts the second-largest ecosystem in the world. This growing inclusivity is enhancing the country’s potential,” he said.

Launched on January 16, 2016, Startup India was aimed at nurturing innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and enabling investment-driven growth. The initiative’s broader goal is to create a generation of job creators rather than job seekers, a vision that Modi said is steadily coming to fruition.