The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), organized the grand STPI SANGAM event— a pioneering initiative that brought together startups, investors, mentors, and industry leaders under MeitY’s flagship Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS). Held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, the event served as a catalyst for fostering innovation, accelerating entrepreneurial ventures, and driving technological advancements across various sectors. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, as the Chief Guest, along with Shri K. K. Singh, Joint Secretary, MeitY, and Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI.
Addressing the gathering, Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY delivered an insightful keynote emphasizing the pivotal role of startups in shaping India’s economic future and said, “Startups are the engines of innovation and economic growth. Their disruptive spirit, agility, and commitment to solving real-world challenges are shaping India’s future. Through initiatives like NGIS and platforms like STPI SANGAM, we are not just supporting startups but creating an ecosystem where ideas transform into impactful businesses. The government is committed to nurturing this landscape, enabling entrepreneurs to scale, innovate, and drive India’s global competitiveness.”
Shri. Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI shared his insights and said, “Inclusiveness is the foundation of a strong innovation ecosystem. Every startup, whether from metropolitan cities or smaller towns, deserves a platform to grow. I am proud to share that 44% of STPI’s startup portfolio consists of women entrepreneurs, many of whom come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. It is our responsibility to nurture their aspirations and provide them with the resources they need. We are not just honouring startup success stories today; we are also reflecting on how we can improve, refine our policies, expand our outreach, and ensure that our startup ecosystem reaches its full potential. Under the NGIS scheme, STPI has supported 685 startups, provided seed funding to 136 startups, and created over 7,000 jobs.”
Shri. K. K. Singh, Joint Secretary, MeitY also highlighted the importance of fostering a robust innovation ecosystem, stating that by accelerating startup growth, India can unlock new opportunities, create jobs, and achieve economic self-reliance. He said, “India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing unprecedented growth, and STPI has played a critical role in fostering this transformation. NGIS has been a game-changer, providing vital funding, mentorship, and market access to emerging startups. It is now time to take this momentum forward, encourage deep-tech innovation, and ensure that entrepreneurs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities receive the support they need to succeed. “
Ms. Farzana Haque, Investor, Board Member and Global Business Leader, in her inspiring address, stressed the importance of empowering students to become future entrepreneurs, advocating for a shift toward self-reliance and job creation. She emphasized, “Entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses; it is about creating opportunities, driving self-reliance, and shaping the future. India is at the centre of global investment attention, and our startups have the potential to redefine industries with their innovation. What we need is to ensure that the right ideas get the right backing. Supporting women entrepreneurs, fostering student-led innovations, and enabling access to capital will unlock a new wave of growth. I strongly believe in India’s ability to become the world’s innovation hub, and I am honoured to be a part of this journey at STPI SANGAM”
The Grand Launch of Open Challenge Program (OCP) 6.0 of STPI MedTech Centre of Excellence (CoE), Lucknow, in collaboration with SGPGIMS Lucknow, STPI, the Government of Uttar Pradesh, AiMeD, and AMTZ also held. This highly anticipated initiative is designed to empower health-tech startups, helping them tackle real-world challenges in medical equipment, electronics, and health informatics. The application submission for OCP 6.0 begins on March 21, 2025, with the deadline set for April 20, 2025.
Another defining moment at the event was the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), formalizing strategic partnerships to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem. The first Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between STPINEXT Initiatives and the Centre for Medical Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CMIE), AIIMS, New Delhi, aimed at advancing innovation in medical technologies and digital health, enabling mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and support for emerging healthcare startups. The second MoU was signed between STPINEXT Initiatives and the K.R. Mangalam Entrepreneurship and Incubation Centre to promote technological advancements and entrepreneurial growth. The third MoU was exchanged between STPINEXT Initiatives and Netlink Software Private Limited, Bhopal, to leverage technological expertise supporting innovation, data privacy, and digital transformation strategies.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, honouring the rising stars of the STPI startup ecosystem and their invaluable ecosystem partners. This recognition underscored the remarkable achievements of NGIS-supported startups that are shaping the future of India’s tech-driven economy.
Ms. Farzana Haque, Investor, Board Member, and Global Business Leader; Shri. Pradeep Gupta, Chairman & MD, CyberMedia; Shri. Sanjay Shah, Chief Operating Officer, India & Southeast Asia, Wadhwani Foundation; and Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder, Venture Catalysts++, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Director, STPI and Shri Subodh Sachan, Director, STPI also present at at the event.
