Government recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26
In a continued commitment to advancing India’s AI capabilities on the world stage, the IndiaAI Mission, has announced the selection of 10 cutting-edge Indian AI startups for the second cohort of the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Programme, an international initiative developed in partnership with Station F, Paris and HEC Paris.
The IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Programme was initiated by the IndiaAI Mission, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), under its Startup Financing Pillar, in collaboration with Station F, the world’s largest startup campus and HEC Paris, one of Europe’s premier business schools. Each cohort equips 10 selected Indian AI startups with resources, expertise and strategic connections necessary to scale internationally.
The program aligns with India’s National AI Strategy, emphasizing cross-border knowledge exchange, exposure to advanced entrepreneurial ecosystems and global market integration. By facilitating access to international markets, fostering innovation and attracting global investments, the initiative supports India’s vision of becoming a leader in AI-driven solutions, MeitY said on 17 April.
Selected Startups for ISG Cohort II
AI Health Highway India Private Limited: AI enabled smart stethoscope to screen, detect and predict cardio respiratory disorders
Awiros: Vision AI platform enabling agentic, context-aware intelligence and automation across large-scale physical environments.
Cognecto: An AI infrastructure intelligence platform
Flaunt: Multimodal AI agents for beauty/fashion trends and short-form video marketing
GreenFi.ai Climateforce Technologies Private Limited): AI-enabled risk management software for environment, social and governance compliance
Infiheal Healthtech Private Limited: Healo, a multilingual AI mental health companion with human-in-loop
InLustro Learning Private Limited: AI-powered job simulation platform validating execution readiness of humans and AI agents before real-world deployment
PredCo: AI-powered compliance for modern manufacturing across people, process and product
SkyServe (Hyspace Technologies Private. Limited.: AI infrastructure for Earth & Space monitoring
TestAIng Solutions Private Limited: A comprehensive QA and compliance suite for AI solutions ensuring trusted and responsible AI
“These 10 startups have been chosen through a rigorous multi-stage selection process and will represent India’s dynamic AI innovation ecosystem at Station F, for an immersive programme designed to support their global scale-up. The programme includes a 3-week online preparation module followed by a three-month immersive residency in Paris,” said MeitY.
“This initiative forms a part of the IndiaAI Mission’s broader vision to catalyze India’s leadership in responsible, scalable and inclusive AI. Designed by HEC Paris, the programme will provide startups with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship and networking opportunities with leading French and European ecosystem players during their residency,” it elaborated.
The Government recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26, highest ever in a single year since launch of Startup India initiative.
The Startup India initiative was launched on 16 January 2016 with an Action Plan comprising schemes and incentives aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for nurturing innovation, encouraging private investments, and supporting startups across the country. Various programmes are being implemented to recognize, develop and empower startups.
Since inception, the number of recognized startups has crossed 2.23 lakh as on 31st March 2026, generating more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs. More than 1.07 lakh recognized startups have at least one-woman director or partner, accounting for approximately 48% of total recognized startups.
The number of startups recognized increased by 51.6% year-on-year in FY 2025-26 compared to FY 2024-25, while direct jobs created rose by 36.1% during the same period.
Startups are now present across all States and Union Territories. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat have emerged as leading regions in terms of the number of recognized startups and direct employment generation as on 31st March 2026.
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 recently notified Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of Rs.10,000 crore.
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. Fiinews.com
