Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced a massive Rs 70 crore prize pool to support and encourage early-stage Indian startups. The announcement was made during the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh 2025, India’s flagship startup event organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The challenge, called the Startup MahaRathi Challenge, aims to support startups working in key sectors such as cybersecurity, AI, robotics, biotech, agritech, fintech, and more.
Startup MahaRathi Challenge Offers Big Prize Money
The Startup MahaRathi Challenge is being hailed as India’s largest privately funded startup competition. With Rs 70 crore in challenge money, the competition seeks to motivate young entrepreneurs to solve real-world problems using technology and innovation. Union Minister Goyal emphasized that such programs are vital for creating a robust startup ecosystem and making India a global innovation hub.
The competition is only open to startups recognized by DPIIT. Applications were accepted between February 26 and March 12, 2025. To be eligible, startups must be in the early or growth stage and should already be operational in the Indian market. The initiative promises not just financial help but also key resources like mentoring, strategic support, and connections to industry experts.
Top 150 Startups to Pitch in Front of Grand Jury
After a rigorous shortlisting process, the top 150 startups will get a chance to present their business ideas in front of a Grand Jury at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 event in New Delhi. This will take place during a live pitching finale where the most promising ideas will be selected for awards.
The selected startups will also participate in mentorship programs that are specifically designed for different industry sectors. These include emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, sports tech, cybersecurity, climate-tech solutions, financial technology, and agricultural technology.
Financial Support and Non-monetary Benefits
Winners of the Startup MahaRathi Challenge will receive a combination of financial and non-financial rewards. These include funding, business grants, and corporate service credits. In addition, startups will gain valuable exposure through interactions with investors, corporate leaders, and government policymakers.
The challenge is expected to not only provide monetary support but also help new startups gain the skills, network, and visibility needed to succeed. This initiative reflects the Indian government’s strong push to promote entrepreneurship, support job creation, and develop world-class solutions through innovation.
