New Delhi, Jan 16 (FN Bureau) As many as 73,151 or 46% of the total recognised start-ups have at least one-woman director onboard, signaling the rise of women entrepreneurs in India. As per Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the number of startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has grown from around 500 in 2016 to 1,59,157 as of January 15, 2025. India boasts of the world’s third largest startup eco-system. “This vibrant ecosystem, driven by over 100 unicorns, continues to redefine innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage. Major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have led this transformation, while smaller cities have increasingly contributed to the nation’s entrepreneurial momentum,” Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.
The statement said that startups in fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce have tackled local challenges and gained global recognition. “Companies like Zomato, Nykaa, and Ola showcase India’s shift from job seekers to job creators, driving economic progress,” it said. It is estimated that nearly 21% of funded start-ups in the country are led by women. “There are approximately 3,000 women-led start-ups and about 11% of fund managers are women. A study by IIT Chennai has found that 21% of funded start-ups are led by women,” said Satya Prakash Singh, CGM, SIDBI at an event organised by industry body Assocham. On January 16, 2025, India marks nine years of Startup India. From 2016 to October 31, 2024, recognised startups have reportedly created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs. The IT Services industry leads with 2.04 lakh jobs, followed by healthcare & life sciences with 1.47 lakh jobs, and professional & commercial services with around 94,000 jobs.