Global Tech Giants Back India’s $200B Data Centre Future

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has pitched India as a “trusted destination” for global data centres, highlighting investment commitments worth nearly $200 billion from hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Digital Connexion. He made this pitch during his Japan visit, inviting Japanese firms to partner in AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure.

The minister invited Japanese companies to partner with India in data centres, AI and semiconductors, highlighting around $200 billion in hyperscaler investment commitments.

Key Highlights of Goyal’s Pitch

Piyush Goyal in the Fireside Chat with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on the India-Japan Next Generation Economic Partnership.

• Investment Commitments: Around $200 billion pledged by global hyperscalers for India’s data centre ecosystem.
• Major Announcements (Oct–Dec 2025):
  • Google: $15 billion
  • Microsoft: $17.5 billion
  • Amazon: $35 billion
  • Digital Connexion: $11 billion
• Policy Incentives: Indian government has proposed a tax holiday for data centres until 2047.
• Strategic Partnership: Goyal met Japanese Economy Minister Akazawa Ryosei, outlining four pillars of cooperation — trade, technology, investment, and tourism.
• Sectoral Focus: Collaboration in AI, semiconductors, and digital ecosystems, with India’s demand estimated at $150 billion.

Why India is Emerging as a Data Centre Hub

• Trusted Destination: India is positioning itself as a reliable partner amid global supply chain realignments.
• Policy Push: Incentives like tax holidays, renewable energy integration, and subsea cable projects.
• Talent Pool: India offers a large base of engineers, AI specialists, and IT professionals.
• Geopolitical Advantage: Seen as a safe harbour for digital infrastructure compared to other Asian hubs.

Comparison of Hyperscaler Investments in India

Company	Investment Size	Focus Area	Timeline
Google	$15B	AI & cloud infra (Vizag hub)	By 2028
Microsoft	$17.5B	AI-ready data centres	By 2029
Amazon	$35B	Hyperscale cloud infra	By 2030
Digital Connexion	$11B	AI infra & subsea cables	By 2029

Risks & Challenges

• Water & Energy Security: Large-scale AI data centres demand sustainable cooling and renewable energy.
• Execution Risk: Scaling commitments to operational capacity within tight timelines.
• Global Competition: India must compete with hubs in Singapore, UAE, and the U.S. for capital.

India Showcases Innovation at Europe’s Biggest Tech Fest

Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the India Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, marking India’s role as the Official AI Partner Country at Europe’s largest technology and innovation event. The pavilion highlights India’s leadership in AI, digital innovation, and startup ecosystems, while strengthening India–France collaboration in technology and sustainable growth.

VivaTech is known for spotlighting cutting‑edge startups, global tech leaders, and breakthrough innovations, so India’s presence there signals both confidence and ambition in expanding its innovation footprint globally.

This move also reinforces India’s strategy of connecting its DeepTech ecosystem with international investors, industry partners, and research networks — much like what we saw at Bharat Innovates 2026. It’s not just about showcasing technology; it’s about building cross‑border partnerships and positioning India as a global hub for innovation.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Inaugurates India Pavilion at VivaTech 2026

India’s Strategic Presence at VivaTech 2026

• Official Partner Country: India was named France’s Official AI Partner Country at VivaTech 2026, underscoring its global leadership in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
• Theme – Tech for Humanity: The India Pavilion showcased technology designed to empower citizens, drive inclusion, and solve challenges at scale, reflecting India’s vision of human‑centric innovation.
• Largest National Pavilion: India’s pavilion was among the largest at the event, featuring startups, unicorns, ministries like DPIIT and MeitY, and industry leaders across AI, SpaceTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, and cybersecurity.

Key Highlights from the Inauguration

• Ministerial Engagements: Piyush Goyal met global leaders, including L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus, to explore collaborations in beauty‑tech innovation, skill development, and manufacturing under Make in India.
• India–France Partnership: Alongside French Minister Anne Le Hénanff, Goyal reaffirmed the India–France Year of Innovation 2026, emphasizing cooperation in AI, digital resilience, and sustainable technology.
• Vision of MANAV AI: Goyal introduced India’s concept of “MANAV” — ethical, accountable, inclusive, and trustworthy AI — positioning India as a hub for responsible AI talent and advanced technologies.

Why This Matters

• Global Innovation Hub: India’s participation signals its ambition to be a preferred destination for innovation, manufacturing, and investment.
• Startup Ecosystem Showcase: The pavilion highlighted India’s vibrant startup culture, rapidly expanding digital economy, and deep‑tech advancements.
• Strengthened Bilateral Ties: The India–France partnership in AI and technology is set to create new opportunities for startups, universities, and research institutions.

Looking Ahead

• India’s presence at VivaTech 2026 is more than symbolic — it is a strategic move to attract global investments, promote technology exports, and foster international partnerships.
• With its young talent pool, strong digital infrastructure, and commitment to ethical AI, India is positioning itself as a global leader in innovation for humanity’s benefit.

The inaugural ceremony brought together key voices from the global innovation ecosystem, with inspiring remarks from Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; Ms Anne Le Hénanff, Digital Minister of France; Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India; Mr Nicolas Douchement

Chief Business and Experience Officer, VivaTech; along with the welcome address by Amb. Jawed Ashraf, Chairman, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

Piyush Goyal Strengthens Global Ties in Semiconductors, Carbon Capture and MedTech

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has held a series of high-level meetings with global industry leaders to deepen collaborations in semiconductors, carbon capture, and medtech—three sectors critical to India’s long-term economic and technological ambitions.

Key meetings and partners

• Linde plc: CEO Sanjiv Lamba met with Goyal to discuss opportunities in advanced manufacturing, decarbonisation, and carbon capture technologies.
• Linde’s strategic role: A global leader in industrial gases and clean energy solutions, positioned as a key partner to strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem while aligning with sustainability goals.
• Intuitive Surgical: Senior executives engaged with Goyal on expanding robotic-assisted surgery in India; globally led by CEO Gary Guthart.
• Medtech impact: Collaboration could accelerate India’s adoption of cutting-edge medical robotics and modernize healthcare delivery.

Strategic importance

• Semiconductors & self-reliance: Build a major hub for chip production, reduce import reliance, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Carbon capture & clean tech: Partnerships with Linde support climate commitments and industrial decarbonisation.
• Healthcare modernization: Robotic surgery systems can improve patient outcomes and expand access to advanced procedures.

Challenges ahead

• Semiconductor supply chains: Fabs require massive capital, skilled talent, and geopolitical stability.
• Carbon capture costs: Technologies remain expensive and energy-intensive; scalability is a key hurdle.
• Medtech adoption: Robotic systems are costly, needing infrastructure upgrades and specialized training.

India’s Vision 2047

These engagements underscore India’s broader goal of becoming a self-reliant developed nation by 2047. By strengthening ties in semiconductors, clean tech, and medtech, India is positioning itself as a global innovation hub while advancing sustainability and healthcare.

Piyush Goyal Urges Deeptech Innovation for India’s Technological Sovereignty at TiEcon Delhi

Policymakers, industry stalwarts, investors, founders and startup leaders converged at TiEcon Delhi to celebrate India’s accelerating deeptech revolution. TiEcon Delhi, organized by TiE Delhi-NCR, a two-day summit kicked off on an inspiring note, setting the stage for powerful conversations, visionary ideas, and collaborations shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship in India.

The highlight of the opening day was the Grand Keynote by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industries, Government of India, where he outlined Government’s Vision for Building a Vibrant Deeptech Ecosystem Driven by Innovation and Youth Engagement. He observed that India’s digital journey has been integral to its economic rise, from becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy to being on track to reach the third position within two years, and achieving the vision of a USD 30–32 trillion economy by 2047. He stated that the foundation of India’s growth rests on the power of technology and innovation.

“Over the last decade, India’s remarkable digital transformation has created unprecedented possibilities for the millions of Indians from the bottom-of-the-pyramid to millions of our innovators. Programmes like the Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar identity, Direct Benefit Transfer, the growth of the UPI payments ecosystem, expansion of 4G networks and now 5G across the country, all these have shifted India from coverage to access, from access to usage, from usage to outcomes.As we move towards becoming a global engine of deep-tech innovation, through AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, emerging technologies, the entire ecosystem of talent, institutions, investment, start-ups is aligning with this vision. Happy to see platforms like TiEcon Delhi-NCR bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators who embody the spirit of inquiry and enterprise that drives India forward. Together, we must aim not just to participate in the global technology revolution but to lead it with confidence, creativity, and conviction,” said Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Government of India.

The sessions covered diverse themes from startup profitability to AI innovation and research commercialization. The Power Panel “Mission 2047: What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There” saw participation from STPI, DPIIT, BIRAC, and NSIC leaders discussing India’s roadmap to becoming a global tech powerhouse. A series of fireside chats and keynotes followed, including “Quantum Leap: Accelerating India’s Tech Sovereignty” with Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, and Dr. Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi-NCR, and “How India Can Win the Global AI Race” featuring Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, and Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder, Info Edge.

“The Honourable Minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks on the need for Indian startups to focus on deep tech inspired us to take decisive action. We shifted our focus and the 25th TiECon Delhi has now become India’s largest deep tech conference. In a world where technology and trade are increasingly being weaponised, technology sovereignty represents national sovereignty. As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, investing in deep tech and research is essential. This vision now defines TiE’s mission” said Dr. Saurabh Srivastava - Chairman Emeritus, TiE Delhi -NCR.

“India is witnessing an exciting phase in its artificial intelligence journey, powered by our strong technology ecosystem and exceptional talent base. Through the India AI Mission, we are focused on building an inclusive and innovation-driven framework that provides access to compute infrastructure, quality datasets and AI skills for startups, researchers and enterprises. In this, TiEcon Delhi NCR play an important role in fostering collaboration among industry leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers, helping translate India’s AI potential into real-world impact. Our collective goal is to make AI accessible, responsible and transformative for every citizen, driving sustainable and equitable digital growth across the nation,” said Mr. Abhishek Singh, Addl. Secretary, MeitY India AI Mission.

The event also marked the unveiling of SPF 100 Desi Deeptechs, a first-of-its-kind showcase celebrating India’s most promising homegrown Deeptech ventures. Engaging sessions such as ‘AI Unlocked: Innovation, Scale & Competitiveness’ and ‘Deeptech on the Move: AI Innovations Powering Mobility 2.0’, powered by MG Motor, further reflected the vibrancy and depth of India’s Deeptech ecosystem, emphasizing the collective efforts of government, investors, and entrepreneurs in shaping a future-ready innovation economy.

In another key highlight, TiE Delhi-NCR announced the launch of the DeepScale India Accelerator Program at TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025, a national initiative designed to fast-track the commercialization and scaling up of MVP-ready DeepTech startups. Supported by SIDBI as the Investment Partner, DST as the Ecosystem Partner, and AWS as the Technical Partner, the program will empower early-stage innovators across AI, robotics, quantum, biotech, spacetech, and semiconductors through mentorship, funding access, and masterclasses, culminating in a Demo Day at the TechSwaraj DeepTech Summit 2026.

Alongside the accelerator, TiE Delhi-NCR also introduced Lab2Scale, a DeepTech bridge designed to move TRL 4–7 research from proof-of-concept to pilots and commercialization. The Lab2Scale session at TiEcon featured rapid 5-minute pitches by select innovators, followed by curated Founder–Industry Huddles that enabled pilot discussions, partnerships, and opportunities for technology validation.

About TiE Delhi-NCR

Fostering entrepreneurship for over two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR stands as one of the most dynamic and impactful chapters of the global TiE Network. Renowned for its marquee events, high-impact mentoring programs, prestigious entrepreneurial awards, and powerful investor pitch platforms, TiE Delhi-NCR plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s startup landscape. With a mission to empower entrepreneurs at every stage, TiE Delhi-NCR offers access to industry experts, seasoned mentors, and global networks, helping founders scale their ventures beyond imaginable limits. Through consistent efforts to expand, explore, and elevate, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to evolve as India’s most credible and influential platform supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

Piyush Goyal To Speak At India’s Largest Deeptech Event- TiEcon Delhi 2025

• Report release that Spotlights 50 Notable Women in AI 2025

Stage is set for the ultimate deeptech conference that unites founders, CXOs, policymakers, investors, scientists, and builders to drive India's transformative decade in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, space, defense, biotech, and life sciences.

Key speakers at the event include leaders from diverse sectors such as e-commerce, energy, defense, technology, and finance. TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 brings together an exceptional lineup of visionaries and leaders driving India’s Deeptech decade. The conference will feature Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, as the Grand Keynote Speaker. Joining him are industry and policy stalwarts including Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT); Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman Emeritus of TiE Delhi-NCR; Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of India AI Mission; and Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. Thought leaders from global and domestic innovation ecosystems such as Pragya Misra Mehrishi, Lead for Public Policy & Partnerships (India) at OpenAI; Vani Kola, Founder and Managing Director of Kalaari Capital; Mohit Bhatnagar, Managing Director at Peak XV Partners; Deep Kalra, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of MakeMyTrip; and Srinath Ravichandran, Co-Founder and CEO of AgniKul Cosmos, will also share their insights. Together, these distinguished speakers represent the diverse forces shaping India’s journey toward becoming a global Deeptech powerhouse.

This year’s edition brings together the most defining conversations of India’s innovation decade through strategic keynotes and policy dialogues such as Powering India’s Strategic Decade and How India Can Win the Global AI Race, featuring national mission leaders and ecosystem catalysts. It will spotlight frontier-tech tracks driving India’s technological sovereignty, showcasing deep science ventures solving India-scale challenges. Attendees can look forward to meaningful founder–investor interactions through curated sessions like the Capital Sunrise Investor Breakfast, Growth Capital Lunch, and Moonshot Mixer, designed to turn conversations into collaborations. The Lab2Scale showcase will bridge research and commercialization. The event also scales mentorship through the TiE Institute, 1:1 mentoring lounges, and themed Dialogue Hours, while unveiling major reports and recognitions such as the SPF 100 Desi Deeptech Launch, TiE Report – India: A Startup Superpower @2035, CXXO Women Disruptors, Wired for Impact – Women in Ind(AI), and the Emerging Finance Leader Awards 2025.

TiEcon Delhi-NCR themed India's Deeptech Ascent is proudly brought to you by TiE Delhi-NCR, one of the most dynamic and pioneering chapters in the global TiE network on October 29–30, 2025, at Taj Palace, New Delhi. It will offer a complete ecosystem experience, from inspiration to execution. The program features electrifying keynotes and immersive deep-dive tracks spanning the full frontier of innovation: AI, quantum, semicon, space, defense, biotech, and life sciences.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Ms. Geetika Dayal, Director General, TiE Delhi-NCR, said, "India's deeptech ecosystem has reached an inflection point where research excellence meets market opportunity. Building on our 25-year legacy of powering entrepreneurship, TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 is where this vision ignites into reality. This isn't just another conference, it's India's deeptech war room. We've designed this for serious builders: all-day investor access, mentoring roundtables over lunch, closed-door connections, and high-density collision points between brilliant minds and bold capital. From Lab2Scale showcases and Power Tracks on AI, Quantum, Space & Defense-Tech, to our CXXO: No Ceiling Summit for women entrepreneurs, every element is engineered for outcomes. If you're building for Bharat and beyond, you need to be in the room."

The event also features a series of allied spotlights that celebrate innovation, leadership, and inclusivity across India’s startup ecosystem. The No Ceiling Summit by CXXO and Kalaari Capital adds to the TiEcon Delhi-NCR programming, spotlighting women leaders and bold, ceiling-breaking entrepreneurs who are redefining business leadership. The TiE–Binary Emerging Finance Leader Awards 2025 will recognize outstanding financial leadership shaping the country’s innovation-driven economy. Adding a strong research-to-market focus, Lab2Scale at TiEcon Delhi-NCR (Oct 29–30) will showcase 10–12 promising research projects through five-minute stage pitches and curated Founder & Industry Huddles, complemented by a commercialization masterclass and a two-hour go-to-market working session with matched founders.

As part of the CXXO initiatives at TiEcon Delhi-NCR, a landmark report, CXXO Wired for Impact — Women in Ind(AI) by Kalaari Capital, will also be launched at the event. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how India works, learns, and leads. But while the country stands at the forefront of this technological wave, women remain underrepresented in the very systems defining its future. It celebrates Notable women in AI 2025, and the report will release 50 names of notable women in AI 2025. CXXO Wired for Impact: Women in Ind(AI) is a first-of-its-kind compilation of key insights on India’s AI–ML workforce, mapping where women stand across the AI value chain and how greater diversity in participation can strengthen the accuracy, inclusivity, and global competitiveness of AI built from India.

In a world reshaped by supply-chain realignments and tech rivalries, India’s deep tech moment is a geopolitical and economic imperative. TiEcon Delhi-NCR 2025 focuses on sovereignty-critical technologies, national IP creation, and the virtuous cycle of talent–capital–markets, aligning with national missions such as IndiaAI and the deeptech push with ANRF.

TiEcon Delhi-NCR is proudly supported by Kalaari Capital, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Department of Science & Technology, Indian Angel Network, NatWest, STPI, and leading organizations across the ecosystem.

To register, visit: https://events.tie.org/Delhi-NCR/tiecondelhincr.

For more information, log on to www.tiecon-delhi.in

About TiE Delhi-NCR

Fostering entrepreneurship for over two decades, TiE Delhi-NCR stands as one of the most dynamic and impactful chapters of the global TiE Network. Renowned for its marquee events, high-impact mentoring programs, prestigious entrepreneurial awards, and powerful investor pitch platforms, TiE Delhi-NCR plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s startup landscape. With a mission to empower entrepreneurs at every stage, TiE Delhi-NCR offers access to industry experts, seasoned mentors, and global networks, helping founders scale their ventures beyond imaginable limits. Through consistent efforts to expand, explore, and elevate, TiE Delhi-NCR continues to evolve as India’s most credible and influential platform supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovation.

Piyush Goyal Inaugurates AI Lab as Galgotias commits to scale investment to INR 50 Crores into AI-Driven Future

Strengthening its leadership in future-ready education, Galgotias University inaugurated a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Lab. The event marked a significant announcement of scaling the University’s investment in AI-driven growth to INR 50 Crores over the next three years. In presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, the university reaffirmed the strong commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure with a mission to embed innovation, hands-on learning, and advanced technology into the heart of its academic ecosystem.

The event was witnessed participation of prominent leaders that included Shri Brijesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Mr. Aman Gupta, Co-founder and CMO of boAt; alongside Mr. Suneel Galgotia, Chancellor, and Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University.

The new AI Lab is equipped with next-generation infrastructure to provide students with real-world exposure to AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies. The lab is designed to accelerate innovation, encourage interdisciplinary learning, and nurture industry-ready graduates.

Marking the occasion, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia said, “This AI Lab is a testament to our commitment to create a world-class, innovation-driven university. At Galgotias, we are not just teaching students about the future—we are building it with them. We aim to consistently contribute to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through cutting-edge research, technology integration, and skill-first learning. This initiative will power the expansion of AI-based infrastructure, research capabilities, and global academic collaborations.”

Designed to provide students with round the clock access to advanced computing, the lab is installed with NVIDIA GPU-powered systems that support high-performance AI applications differentiating it from standard computers. The move will democratise access to experiential learning enabling students to bridge the gap between theory and application.

Galgotias University has been at the forefront of educational transformation that also includes the recent launch of India’s first AI-powered Active Learning Block, developed in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Among other initiatives, the university is also exploring collaborations with leading global tech companies to set up labs for cybersecurity, machine learning, and robotics. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, industry alignment, and global engagement, the university continues to set benchmarks in higher education.

The newly inaugurated AI Lab will also serve as a hub for innovation, faculty development, and industry collaboration, bridging the gap between academia and the rapidly evolving demands of the AI economy.

Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform Launched

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal has launched the Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform at the Bharat Climate Forum 2025 in New Delhi. This initiative aims to enhance India's cleantech value chains in sectors like solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage.

The platform aims to encourage the cleantech sector to become self-sustaining without relying on government support in the long term.

Addressing the Bharat Climate Forum 2025, the Minister highlighted that the Product Linked Incentives (PLIs) and subsidies are detrimental to long-term growth and development of the clean energy sector. He said that the PLI scheme can only help kickstart the sector, but the clean energy sector must strive to become self-sustaining. The Cleantech sector must become independent of the Government, he added.. 

Key Highlights of the Platform:

Objective: To spur innovation and help India become a global leader in sustainability and cleantech.

Product-Linked Incentives (PLIs): Shri Goyal emphasized that while PLIs can kickstart the sector, long-term growth requires the cleantech sector to become self-sustaining.

Collaboration: The platform will provide opportunities for Indian firms to collaborate, co-innovate, and share ideas, technologies, and resources.

Climate Goals: India aims to achieve 500 Gigawatts of clean energy sources by 2030, and the platform is expected to play a crucial role in meeting this target.

This initiative is a significant step towards positioning India as a global leader in clean technology and sustainability

Govt to Set Up a New Not-for-Profit Company to Consolidate All Startup India Entities

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Indian government will establish a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act to consolidate all initiatives and bodies of Startup India under one roof.

This move aims to further strengthen the startup ecosystem by fostering innovation and creating a self-sufficient structure for the sector.

Launched on January 16, 2016, the Startup India initiative encompasses a variety of programs and schemes designed to support and nurture startups in India. Under this, several programmes have been rolled out to support entrepreneurs, build a robust startup ecosystem and transform India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers.

The new company will be industry-led, similar to Invest India, and will manage its affairs independently. It will also involve the National Startup Advisory Council and potentially SIDBI. This initiative is expected to support entrepreneurs and transform India into a country of job creators.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is expected to play a significant role in the new not-for-profit company being set up by the Indian government to consolidate all Startup India initiatives.

Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, pertains to the formation of not-for-profit organizations in India. These companies are established with the objective of promoting fields such as commerce, art, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, and environmental protection.

The Non-profit companies are formed to promote charitable purposes rather than to earn profits. Profits, if any, are reinvested in the company’s objectives and not distributed as dividends to members. Such companies enjoy certain exemptions and benefits under the Companies Act, such as reduced compliance requirements.

At present, Startup India is housed in Invest India, which is a national body to promote investments.

"We will support it as a catalyst so that policy-wise, it is on the right track. It will have an independent board and organisation structure and we would do a little oversight. The National Startup Advisory Council can also be a part of it," Goyal said.

India and UAE Join Hands for Collaboration in Industry and Advanced Tech Including AI, Supply Chain, CleanTech, Space Systems and Industry 4.0

• UAE-India MoU to drive investment and collaboration in industry and advanced technologies
• UAE and India to collaborate in Industry and Advanced Technology, including Supply Chain Resilience, Clean Energy Technology, Healthcare, Space, Industry 4.0 and industrial standards
• Agreement also aims to accelerate development of technologies that can help decarbonize industry and advance renewable energy

The UAE and India will cooperate more closely in sustainable industrial development following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Thursday at Emirates Palace.

The MoU signed focuses on seven key areas, including supply chain resilience, renewable energy and energy efficiency, health and life sciences, space systems, AI, Industry 4.0 and advanced technologies, as well as standardization and metrology.

In the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) , the UAE and India will cooperate in the deployment of AI technologies in the space sector, energy, healthcare and supply chains. Both countries will work together to advance capabilities in machine learning and data analytics across priority sectors.

To build supply chain resilience, the UAE and India will collaborate to identify opportunities to supply raw materials. The two countries will also share best practices on industrial enablement and incentivization for industrial growth and development, for instance in areas such as energy, land, CAPEX, OPEX, technology, and labor.

In the energy sector, the UAE and India will collaborate in advancing energy storage technologies, Smart Grid and IoT deployment, and R&D in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Similarly, in health and life sciences, the countries will collaborate in the development of pharmaceuticals, the use of biotechnology, and R&D.

Under the MoU, the UAE and India will also collaborate in the deployment of 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) Technologies in industry, real-time data processing, the development of machine-to-machine control systems, the development of autonomous robotics, equipment and vehicles, as well as the deployment of additive manufacturing in key Industries.

With this MoU, both the countries will collaborate in the commercial development, launch and use of small satellites for communication and Earth observation, as well as space exploration. The countries will also collaborate in the development of licensing of space-related materials, in addition to R&D in the Space Technology sector.

The final area of collaboration is standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation, and Halal certification. The countries will exchange information including procedures, guidelines, and lists of regulated products. The countries will also cooperate to harmonize standards with international requirements and work towards the mutual recognition of the conformity assessment results.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and His Excellency Mr. Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, with the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Focusing on facilitating industrial investments, technology transfer and enabling the deployment of key technologies in industries, the MoU will benefit both countries through joint industrial and technological developments.

Commerce Minister Mr Goyal commented: “This MoU opens new doors to develop cooperation efforts and build an institutional framework in the fields of emerging technologies. It would help in promoting and developing bilateral cooperation in sectors such Space, healthcare, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and many other vital areas.”

HE Al Jaber said: “In line with the UAE leadership’s vision, we are committed to strengthening bilateral relations to enhance sustainable and economic growth. Given the UAE’s strong relationship with India across the economic, technological, and social domains, we are pleased to sign this MoU to further develop the industrial sector in line with advanced technology and sustainability standards. This aligns with the objectives of the national industrial strategy, and ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative, aimed at transforming the UAE into a global hub for advanced industry, especially industries of the future.”

Under the MoU, cooperation includes industrial and academic collaborations as well as collaborative research and development projects. The countries will also share best practices relating to science and technology policies.

No Effect on Startups from Proposed Changes in Income Tax Laws – Minister

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the government is continuously supporting the startup environment. The country has grown significantly in this area since the inception of the Startup India initiative.

Government-recognized startups will not be affected by proposed changes in income tax laws regarding the issuance of shares to foreign entities.

Anurag Jain, secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), said companies or startups that are not recognized by DPIIT. They will be covered under the proposed amendments to Section 56 ( 2) of the Income Tax Act.

In section 56 (2) the amount exceeding its fair market value of a startup shall be treated as income from other sources. It will be taxed at 30 per cent. It has been dubbed Angel Tax due to its impact on Angel Investors' investment in startup enterprises. Jain said that those who are not registered with the startup department will come under the revised provisions of the section.

The minister told reporters, "There is no angel tax on startups, lets be clear about that. Sec 56 (ii) used to have two proviso - one was preferential treatment of foreign players. So that preferential treatment has been done away with...Anybody which is a recognised startup by the DPIIT will not attract angel tax if investment is made into that, be it foreign or domestic."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal further said that the government is continuously supporting the startup environment. The country has grown significantly in this area since the inception of the Startup India initiative. I believe that this budget will certainly provide good support and help to the startup environment so that it can flourish in the coming years.

Goyal said that the budget also focused on promoting startups in the agricultural sector and creating agro-entrepreneurs. It will also promote better ideas for cold storage, food processing and value addition in agriculture.

Minister Launches India-US Startup SETU to Connect Start-ups in India to US-based Investors and Ecosystem Leaders

SETU to provide mentorship and assistance to startups in various areas including funding, market access and commercialization

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal launched the India-US Startup SETU - Supporting Entrepreneurs in Transformation and Upskilling programme in the Bay Area of San Francisco. The initiative would connect start-ups in India to US-based investors and start-up ecosystem leaders with mentorship and assistance in various areas including funding, market access and commercialization.

The programme was launched at a luncheon interaction focused on specific issues related to start-up ecosystem in India. The meeting focused on ways to encourage domestic incorporation and mentorship of early-stage Indian startups by successful diaspora members in the Bay Area.

SETU is designed to break the geographical barriers between mentors based in US that are willing to invest in entrepreneurship and sunrise startups in India. The interaction will be supported through the mentorship portal under the Startup India initiative MAARG, or the Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth program, which is a single-stop solution finder for startups in India. The portal has been developed with the idea to be accessible from every corner of the country to connect with a mentor.

A mentor will offer human intelligence in guiding the startups. It may be noted that till date, more than 200 mentors have been successfully onboarded on MAARG across the globe.

The core functions of MAARG are to improve ease of access, use Artificial Intelligence for Matchmaking, schedule meetings virtually, host masterclasses, provide a custom dashboard for relevant information, analytics, features, etc., host cohort-based programs that will allow startup ecosystem enablers to be become a part of the program and enable outcome driven activities.

The minister held frank and fruitful discussions with venture capitalists and industry leaders in the area during several meetings he held in the Bay Area. Venture capitalists and other investors expressed optimism about the business outlook in India.

“One of the key takeaways is that the Bay Area is very bullish on India, very excited about the potential that India, Indians and Indian startups and Indian businesses have to offer. Very excited about the talent available in India. They see huge potential in the large market that India is, 1.3 billion aspirational Indians,” Mr. Piyush Goyal said after the meetings.

“There were suggestions about mentorship. We’ve launched the SETU programme where we are looking at supporting entrepreneurs through transformation and upskilling intiatives. We’re also looking at a programme that the startup advisory council had initiated in India in which mentorship is being initiated particularly in tier-2, tier-3 and tier-4 towns and remoter areas. Lot of good suggestions have been brought to the table,” he said.

It is estimated that about 90% of the start-ups and more than half of the well-funded startups fail in their early days. Lack of experience in handling the business is a key issue, and founders require the right guidance for taking a decision and moral support.

As India heads towards becoming a supreme start-up destination, the right guidance at the right time is paramount. The Government of India invites the stalwarts, seasoned experts, and industry leaders to give back to the nation by adding value to a startup’s journey.

MAARG is inviting applications from Mentors across the world. Till date, more than 200 mentors have been on-boared on MAARG across the globe. The applications have come from distinguished individuals representing the industry and the startup ecosystem.

National Startup Report and States' Startup Ranking Results Declared

Results of Ranking of States’ Exercise 2021 on support to Start-up Ecosystems declared

Shri Goyal asks more start-ups to come on GeM platform; Says there is a great opportunity to democratize the start-up ecosystem

The results of the third edition of Ranking of States on Support to Startup Ecosystems were released by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Shri Piyush Goyal, on Monday at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. Gujarat and Karnataka emerged as the Best Performers in a category of States which included NCT of Delhi. Meghalaya won the top honour among UTs and North-eastern (NE) States.

The States Startup Ranking 2021 highlighted the support being extended by over 30 states and union territories through startup policies to the ecosystem. There were only 4 states with startup policies prior to 2016. The state startup teams have been extending support across mentorship, incubation and funding. Moreover, feedback was gathered from more than 7,000 beneficiaries through surveys made in 13 different languages to grasp the real situation at the execution level.

While Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Telangana got the Top Performers award among states, Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the Top Performer among UTs and NE states.

The call for mentors for MAARG portal was also announced during the event. The portal is developed with the idea to develop a tool for start-ups in India that can be accessed from every corner of the country to request and connect with a mentor.

For the purposes of the Ranking, States and Union Territories are classified into 5 Categories - 1. Best Performers; 2. Top Performers; 3. Leaders; 4. Aspiring Leaders; and 5. Emerging Start-up Ecosystems.

Gujarat and Karnataka emerged as the Best Performers in a category of States which included NCT of Delhi. Meghalaya won the top honour among UTs and North-eastern (NE) States. While Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Telangana got the Top Performers award among states, Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the Top Performer among UTs and NE states.

States Startup Ranking Results 2021

Category	State
Best Performer	Gujarat
	Karnataka
Top Performers	Kerala
	Maharashtra
	Odisha
	Telangana
Leaders	Assam
	Punjab
	Tamil Nadu
	Uttarakhand
	Uttar Pradesh
Aspiring Leaders	Chhattisgarh
	Delhi
	Madhya Pradesh
	Rajasthan
Emerging Startup Ecosystems	Andhra Pradesh
	Bihar

Category B

All State with a population less than 1 crore.

Category	State
Best Performer	Meghalaya
Top Performer	Jammu and Kashmir
Leader	Andaman and Nicobar Islands
	Arunachal Pradesh
	Goa
Aspiring Leader	Chandigarh
	Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
	Himachal Pradesh
	Manipur
	Nagaland
	Puducherry
	Tripura
Emerging Startup Ecosystems	Mizoram
	Ladakh

Speaking after declaring the awards, Mr.Piyush Goyal said that ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) had the power to spawn thousands of start-ups. "The huge success that UPI has been in India, which has democratized the payment system in India. In the next 5 year, we will have ONDC democratize the e-commerce across India. So much so that we will have a few thousand start-ups may be more and a few hundred unicorns. Rather than three companies being 100 billion or one trillion size, you will have a thousand companies each of a billion dollar. That is what ONDC has the power to do," the Minister said.

Emphasizing that Indian ecosystem could become the best in the work, the commerce minister suggested that States could align with neighbouring ones so as to learn from each other. He also asked the department to get more start-ups on the Government E-Marketplace (GeM), saying that now even the Services had been brought under GeM.

Shri Goyal suggested that there was a need to focus on developing start-up ecosystem in districts with help of all the start-up related schemes by the central and the state government. He emphasized upon the need to onboard and register more start-ups. He added that there was a great opportunity to democratize the start-up ecosystem in the same way as the Indian Premier League (IPL) democratized the cricket arena.

The minister appreciated the new mentorship program and said that it would help those with ideas to get support and help them fructify their ideas.

Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, DPIIT said that a number of initiatives of the government including JAM (Jandhan, Aadhar, Mobile), Digital India, Gatishakti, Ease of Doing Business were driving the start-up ecosystem. “If the Start-up system has to grow further, the biggest role has to be played by States. We can play a facilitative role,” he added.

Shri Manoj Kohli, Member, National Start-up Advisory Council the new coaching/mentoring programme MAARG (Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth) would focus on creating profitable start-ups, improving their corporate governance, scaling up their operations, addressing funding gaps and building their brand. This, he said would improve their success rate.

Smt. Shruti Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT said that the start-up ecosystem has come a long way with States playing a big role. “Today, States have vibrant ecosystem with 27 states having their portals in regional languages,” she added.

The felicitation ceremony was accompanied by the release of the National Report which highlights the vision, framework, evolution across the years, methodology and implementation, and the way ahead for the States` Startup Ranking. A State Specific Report for each of the 31 participating States and Union Territories has also been released, containing an extensive analysis of respective ecosystem, which highlights strengths and priority areas for future.

The National Report and Specific Reports for all participating States and Union Territories launched during the session can be downloaded from the Startup India Portal.

8 Girl Innovators to Present Their Projects Before the Startup Advisory Council

Union Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal interacts with Girl Innovators on the occasion of National Girl Child Day

“When girls are empowered, then countries become stronger & more prosperous”: Shri Goyal

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal held an Interaction with eight Girl Innovators today to mark the National Girl Child Day.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Goyal said there is huge potential in each of the sectors that the eight Girl Childs have shown today:

• Low-cost biodegradable sanitary napkins
• Smart gloves which converts sign language to text & speech
• Use of AI & GPS

"I am very inspired to see these Girl Innovators, making the nation as well as their parents proud at such a young age (10-18 yrs). You are the true leaders of India," said Shri Goyal, during the programme held over Video Conference.

Stating that "When girls are empowered, then countries become stronger & more prosperous," Mr.  Goyal said we have to strengthen our Nari Shakti, as Prime Minister said, "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao."

Mr, Goyal said women today are challenging status quo and have stepped up as nation builders & change makers. India has been a powerhouse of strong women across fields: Be it sports (Meerabai Chanu, Mary Kom), Business (Falguni Nayyar of Nykaa, Indira Nooyi), Science & Technology (Kalpana Chawla), etc.

Shri Goyal gave a four point call for action:

1. Make Vocal for Local a Jan Andolan:
2. Become ambassadors of Quality Revolution: Increase consumer awareness & create sustainable goods with utmost focus on quality.
3. Collaborate with each other and with other fellow women entrepreneurs: Harness the immense potential of women in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
4. Connect with India’s heritage: Explore our country’s rich culture & traditions to innovate in areas of handlooms, handicrafts, art & craft etc.

Mr. Goyal said the projects of these eight Girl Innovators will be presented before the Startup Advisory Council after three months. During the programme, the Women & Child Development Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani complimented Shri Goyal for his initiative and leadership in promoting Innovation among Girl students “in tribute to the Prime Minister’s clarion call of ensuring that New India will see Women led development.”

Mr. Goyal said our women have time & again proven their capabilities. I would urge all girl children to:

• Dream big
• Never fear failure, failure is stepping stone to success
• Lead with conviction & confidence

Quoting Steve Jobs, - “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do,” who really change the world,” Shri Goyal said, for a civilization to truly flourish we need to “Empower, Educate & Encourage” our girl child.

Startups are the Agents of Change and Pillars for Making India Aatmanirbhar: Shri Piyush Goyal

Image - Flickr/World Economic Forum

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Textiles, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, has said, “Our startups are the agents of change as well as the pillars for making India aatmanirbhar. In barely three years, more than six lakh jobs were created by our startups.”

“Last year alone, two lakh jobs were created. Startups will help India transition from an assembly economy to a knowledge-based economy,” he said while addressing the valedictory session at the 16th edition of India Digital Summit 2022, organised by IAMAI.

He mentioned that 2021 has showcased to the world that India is rising as the world’s favourite startup destination, with 43 startups achieving the status of unicorns in one calendar year. Since the start of India Startup Mission, six years ago, we have already produced 82 unicorns, the world’s third-largest number of unicorns, and have over 60,000 startups registered at DPIIT and there’s a growing recognition of our skilled people, with investors queuing up from around the world to come and participate in this revolution.

He also highlighted that our potential has barely touched the tip of the ice berg and currently the focus is on ease of living, ease of service, and ease of skilling -- reskilling and upskilling and the government is acting as a facilitator. The government has taken a number of steps to strengthen the startup story like – 80% rebate on patent filing fees, 50% on trademark filing fees, relaxation of public procurement norms, seed fund schemes, income-tax exemptions, etc. All these steps have brought in simplification, facilitation and empowerment for our entrepreneurs, he added.

The two -day summit, which concluded yesterday, saw about 2,000 delegates participating at the event. The summit saw over 45 sessions, 150 speakers, 500 brands.

About IAMAI

Established in 2004, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body and the country's only organization representing the digital services industry with over 350 Indian and multinational corporations as its members, which include established companies in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as well as start-ups. Its mandate is to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders. IAMAI represents varied sectors like Digital Advertising, Digital Entertainment, TravelTech, Online Gaming, Digital Payments, FinTech, Digital Commerce, Edutech, Healthtech, Agritech, Blockchain, Big-data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/ VR, LogisticsTech etc.

Startups Raises Concerns related to Cash Flow, Revenue, Labour in Meeting with Goyal

Problems related with liquidity crunch, cash flow, revenue and labour matters were raised by start-ups in their meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday.
Goyal held the meeting through video conference with the stakeholders of the start-up ecosystem, including developers, angel investors and others, to assess the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown in the country.

"The start-up representatives raised the concerns, ranging from the question of liquidity crunch, cash flow and revenue problems, labour matters, and other difficulties in running the ventures due to lockdown, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

After listening to the various problems and suggestions by the start-up stakeholders, the minister called for collaborative efforts to deal with the issues, according to the statement.

In the meeting, the minister said the country is passing through the unprecedented crisis, and this requires prompt remedial actions.

He sought cooperation in overcoming the hardships being faced by the industry, particularly the start-ups.

He welcomed the launch of the Action COVID-19 Team, which is starting a Rs 100-crore programme, aimed to seed over 50 initiatives through grants to combat the economic fallout of COVID-19 in India.

Many start-ups have been working on finding various solutions to COVID-19 issues with focus on preventive, assistive and curative aspects of the pandemic.

"Many of the ventures are in the final stage of launch and others will require some more time to take shape. These ventures will require access, funding, validation, scaling-up, and support," it said adding that a joint committee from various government departments and industry associations are evaluating these initiatives.

The meeting was also attended by the officers from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, SEBI, CBDT, CBIC, NITI Aayog, and SIDBI. Representatives of MakeMyTrip, Zomato, Cult.Fit, and Naukri.com were present in the meeting.

In a separate information, the ministry said state-owned trading firm MMTC has decided to contribute about Rs 25 lakh to the Prime Ministers' Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund. PTI RR

Goyal-Amazon Row: UKIBC says E-Commerce Sector Misunderstood, India Should Welcome Investments

The Indian government is responsive to concerns expressed by businesses but needs to do more to attract investments into sectors such as e-commerce, the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has said.

The comments from the lobby grouping come after there was a sharp criticism of Goyal for saying Amazon was not doing India a favour by the investment announcement. India's GDP growth is set to slow to a decadal low of 5 per cent for 2019-20 and all eyes are set on the strategy deployed by the government in the upcoming Budget.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has said the e-commerce major will invest USD 1 billion (over Rs 7,000 crore) in digitising small and medium businesses in India.

Declining to comment specifically on the impact on investors because of Goyal's comments, UKIBC Chief Executive Officer Richard Heald told PTI here that the e-commerce sector has a tremendous potential, especially for the smaller businesses, who get a platform to sell their wares.

"I am a great fan of e-commerce and I think that e-commerce is misunderstood to a certain extent and it benefits the general public and those people who operate within the supply chain in ways that are not popularly understood," he said.

Heald said Mukesh Ambani-promoted RIL also has plans to enter the e-commerce segment through a different business model and one can have her own preferences on business models.

"Encouraging investments into India is important, encouraging the e-commerce sector is important because it benefits small businesses disproportionately to large businesses," he said adding that British businesses may not be "startled" at the posturing.

India represents a large opportunity for the British businesses and even a slower 4.8 per cent GDP growth is much faster than what the UK or Europe is witnessing, he said.

When asked if the government is responsive in India, he answered in the affirmative and said, "What I found striking (in conversations with government officials) was that increasingly, it is a two-way dialogue. The Indian government wants to understand and engage, it wants to understand what the operating issues are and get those addressed, positives as well as negatives."

Welcoming the cut in corporate taxes, Heald advocated a relaxation in fiscal deficit targets in the upcoming Budget and added that the UKIBC will keenly watch the narrative on growth being set by the Indian government and look for specific measures on rural poverty alleviation and infrastructure spends.

When asked about social sector troubles experienced in India, which have made billionaire George Soros to speak out at Davos last week, Heald said the UKIBC members will not be too perturbed by those concerns.

He reasoned that commercial success is the most important aspect for a business when it makes a call to investment and not other "optics".

"From the business point of view, I am not going to say it (social issues) is not relevant, but not high up the list," he said.

When asked if there is over-pessimism about India, he initially said it would be "presumptuous" to say so.

"I have huge admiration for India. Since 1947, you have survived and prospered as a country which is secular, is diverse. Your history is extraordinary. Clearly, there is something there that you have to foster and you have to develop," he said. PTI AA