Govt recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26
The number of startups recognized increased by 51.6 percent year-on-year in FY 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25, while direct jobs created rose by 36.1 percent during the same period, the statement shows
The central government has recognized more than 55,200 startups during financial year 2025-26, marking the highest number of startups recognized in a single year since the launch of the Startup India initiative, as per Commerce Ministry statement on Friday.
The number of startups recognized increased by 51.6 percent year-on-year in FY 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25, while direct jobs created rose by 36.1 percent during the same period, the statement shows.
The government continues to support startups through flagship schemes including the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), providing financial support at various stages of the startup lifecycle.
Under FFS, more than Rs 7,000 crore has been disbursed to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) by the end of FY 2025-26, which have further invested more than Rs 26,900 crore in over 1,420 startups. Building on this, the government has notified Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore.
Moreover, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups has been expanded in FY 2025-26 to enhance capital mobilization by increasing the guarantee cover per borrower from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore, enhancing the extent of guarantee cover, and reducing the annual guarantee fee for lenders in identified sectors. By the end of FY 2025-26, more than 410 loans amounting to over Rs 1,250 crore have been guaranteed.
Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, 219 incubators have been selected and the entire corpus of Rs 945 crore has been committed. These incubators have approved funding of over Rs 605 crore to more than 3,400 startups. The scheme has been extended to enable continued disbursement and completion of approved activities.
Startup-led innovation has also strengthened intellectual property generation, with more than 19,400 patent applications filed by startups. Patent filings increased from over 2,850 in FY 2024-25 to more than 4,480 in FY 2025-26.
The government e-Marketplace (GeM) has further facilitated startup participation in public procurement. More than 38,600 startups have been onboarded on the platform.
