ET Startup Awards Reflect India’s Startup Ecosystem Evolution: Satyan Gajwani
Satyan Gajwani highlighted how the Economic Times Startup Awards have mirrored the growth of India's startup ecosystem, evolving from dependency on few venture capital firms to broad-based investing from ordinary citizens. Recognizing startups like Lenskart, Groww, Meesho, Atlan, and Qure.ai illustrates India's rise as a global technology maker amid the AI revolution. The awards emphasize perseverance, innovation, and the need for AI research centers and visionary policies in India.
At the Economic Times Startup Awards 2025, Satyan Gajwani, Chairman of Times Internet, emphasized that the awards' evolution parallels the remarkable growth of India's startup landscape. Originally reliant on limited venture capital support, startups now attract investments from diverse Indian investors, reflecting a democratization of entrepreneurial finance. Prominent firms such as Lenskart, Groww, Meesho, which have gone public or plan IPOs, have been recognized through the awards, showcasing the ecosystem's maturation. The 2025 awards celebrated innovative companies like Atlan and Qure.ai that embody India's transition from a market consumer to a global technology innovator in the context of the AI revolution. Gajwani called for building AI innovation hubs, supported by deep research, patient capital, and forward-looking policies. He underscored the ecosystem’s attributes of learning quickly, adapting rapidly, and thriving amid challenges, urging to maintain momentum in innovation and governance. The event also highlighted startups balancing growth with profitability, marking India’s growing influence in the global startup and IPO space. Gajwani's keynote thus framed the ET Startup Awards as both a recognition platform and a reflection of India's dynamic entrepreneurial progress fueled by ambition, risk-taking, and technological advancement.
