The Startup Mahakumbh 2025 concluded in New Delhi with remarkable participation, showcasing the dynamic growth of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among the key highlights was the Government e Marketplace (GeM), which stood out for its strategic role in fostering startup growth and demonstrating the transformative potential of public procurement in driving innovation and inclusive development.
GeM, as a strategic presenting partner, engaged extensively with startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders during the event. Its participation underscored a continued commitment to enabling Indian startups to scale through access to government markets, policy support, and collaborative opportunities aligned with the broader vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Startup Mahakumbh featured sector-focused pavilions highlighting India’s strengths in DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, and more. GeM’s presence emphasized its role in bridging the gap between innovators and government buyers, promoting scalability, market validation, and meaningful contributions to India’s global innovation ranking.
A high-energy panel discussion organized by GeM drew significant attention. It included industry experts, policymakers, and GeM leadership, addressing topics such as India’s growth trajectory, emerging technology services, state procurement through startups, and unlocking opportunities with central government buyers. These sessions reinforced the platform’s role as a transformative force, turning public procurement into a launchpad for entrepreneurial success.
CEO of GeM Ajay Bhadoo, in his keynote address, emphasized the need to leverage public procurement as a powerful tool for startup growth, inclusive development, and self-reliance. He highlighted how platforms like GeM serve as critical enablers for scaling homegrown innovations, creating policy-driven opportunities for entrepreneurs.
GeM’s participation at Startup Mahakumbh resulted in impressive outcomes, including over 2,500 queries addressed, more than 1,000 startup registrations and cataloguing efforts, and hosting over 1,500 interactive sessions. These engagements included personalized mentoring and group skilling initiatives delivered through GeM’s Learning Management System, providing startups with resources and training to navigate government markets effectively.
The GeM Pavilion was a bustling hub, featuring over 70 innovative startups. Notably, 30 of these were awarded free startup pods as winners of the Start-o-nauts Challenge, highlighting GeM’s dedication to nurturing exceptional talent and ideas. The platform’s impact is evident, with over ₹38,500 crore ($4.6 billion) in transactions facilitated for 30,000 startups, cementing its position as a catalyst in India’s innovation ecosystem.
The Startup Mahakumbh 2025 reaffirmed GeM’s pivotal role in supporting India’s entrepreneurial growth, showcasing its vision of creating an ecosystem that fosters collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
