The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of India (CCI India) hosted the Bharat Startup Summit 2026 on June 3rd and 4th, 2026, in New Delhi. The event featured notable attendees, including Uttar Pradesh Governor Shrimati Anandiben Patel and Union MSME Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, along with industry leaders, investors, and policy makers, all aimed at advancing India’s startup ecosystem.
The summit’s discussions highlighted India’s growth from fewer than 500 recognized startups a decade ago to over 220,000 DPIIT-registered startups today, positioning the country as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Despite this progress, challenges persist, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, as well as for women entrepreneurs.
On June 3rd, the first day featured a ceremonial Deep Prajwalan and statements from CCI India’s Director General, Mr. Munindra Kumar. A session chaired by Governor Patel focused on integrating startup culture into university curricula across India. Vice Chancellors from various universities participated in this session.
Subsequent discussions addressed the Bharat Startup Ecosystem, agriculture and food processing, and the role of artificial intelligence in economic growth. Influential speakers included Mr. Ajay Lokhatia of StockGro and Mr. Vivek Kumar of Insight AI.
Day Two commenced with an address by Prof. (Dr.) K Prathapan, Vice Chancellor of Shri Guru Ram Rai University, followed by panels on women entrepreneurship and healthcare. The women’s panel included Ms. Anshul Priya and Ms. Meghna Krishna, advocating for greater recognition of startups led by women. The healthcare panel, featuring Mr. Deepak Tuli, highlighted opportunities for startups to enhance healthcare accessibility.
The summit concluded with an Elevator Pitching session, where entrepreneurs showcased innovative ideas across various sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony marked the end of the event, focusing on translating discussions into actionable partnerships.
Governor Patel and Minister Manjhi’s participation emphasized the government’s support for the startup and MSME ecosystems as vital to India’s development. Minster Manjhi reaffirmed the government’s dedication to empowering small enterprises, especially in rural regions.
CCI India aims to foster the growth of ten high-potential ventures within two years, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing India’s entrepreneurial landscape. Director General Munindra Kumar stated that the summit represented a collective drive toward strengthening innovation and supporting enduring economic growth in India.
Source: www.lokmattimes.com.
