New Delhi, March 17: A total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups under the Government of India’s flagship Startup India initiative as of January 31, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade.
Launched on January 16, 2016, the initiative aims to build a strong ecosystem that nurtures innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages investment across sectors in the country.
According to data shared in Parliament, 1,02,054 recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner, indicating the growing participation of women in India’s startup ecosystem.
However, the government also noted that some startups have ceased operations. Data maintained by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) shows that 6,789 recognised startups have been categorised as closed (dissolved or struck-off). Among these, 2,950 startups had at least one woman director or partner.
The recognised startups are registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which oversees the Startup India initiative and maintains the recognition database.
Key Government Support Schemes
To support startups at different stages of their growth cycle, the government is implementing several flagship schemes under Startup India.
One of the major initiatives is the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which aims to catalyse venture capital investment in Indian startups. The scheme is operationalised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) that subsequently invest in startups.
As of January 31, 2026, AIFs supported under the scheme have invested around ₹25,859 crore in startups, including ₹2,995 crore in women-led startups since 2020.
Another major initiative is the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), which provides financial assistance to early-stage startups through incubators. Implemented from April 1, 2021, the scheme has approved around ₹592 crore in funding to selected startups, of which ₹294 crore has been allocated to women-led startups.
The government has also introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to facilitate debt financing for startups through eligible financial institutions. Operational since April 1, 2023, the scheme has guaranteed loans worth around ₹925 crore to startup borrowers, including ₹39 crore to women-led startups.
Startups Supported and Closure Data
Under the Fund of Funds for Startups, 1,382 startups have been selected for support, of which 17 are currently categorised as closed. Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, 3,311 startups have been supported, with 26 reported as closed. Meanwhile, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups has supported 281 startups, with one startup recorded as closed.
State-wise data also shows significant participation of women entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem across major states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
The information was shared by Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
