The evolution of The Economic Times Startup Awards parallels the growth of India’s startup ecosystem, said Satyan Gajwani, chairman of Times Internet, in his welcome address at the event celebrating the country’s most coveted accolades for entrepreneurship.
“In the early years of the awards, startup success often depended on the blessings of a few big venture capital firms--that’s changed,” said Gajwani. “Startups have become part of India's investing fabric. Teachers, engineers, small business owners, ordinary Indians are trusting you with their hard-earned savings. That’s a tremendous privilege; also, a huge responsibility.”
With some of India’s biggest recent and upcoming IPOs including Lenskart, Groww and Meesho coming from the new-age economy, Gajwani highlighted that each of these firms have been part of the ET Startup Awards story as past winners, nominees or jurors. Several members of this year’s awards jury were past winners—Sahil Barua (Delhivery), Harshil Mathur (Razorpay), Ruchi Kalra (OfBusiness) and Tarun Mehta (Ather Energy).
Also Read: ET Startup Awards 2025: Piyush Goyal on trade deals, domestic capital pool, AI and more
“It’s a powerful reminder that this ecosystem rewards perseverance and reinvention,” Gajwani said.
As the world undergoes the AI revolution, this year’s winners including Atlan and Qure.ai represent that transformation. “These companies show that India is no longer just a market for global technology, but a maker of global technology,” Gajwani said. “To truly lead this next wave, we must build AI innovation centres… We’ll need deep research, patient capital and visionary policymaking.”
He emphasised that the energy, ambition and risk-taking that defined the last decade must now find fresh momentum.
“As the world races into an AI-driven future, the bar for innovation, governance, and vision is rising,” said Gajwani. “But if there's one thing this ecosystem has shown again and again, it's that India learns fast, it adapts faster, and it thrives under challenge.”
“In the early years of the awards, startup success often depended on the blessings of a few big venture capital firms--that’s changed,” said Gajwani. “Startups have become part of India's investing fabric. Teachers, engineers, small business owners, ordinary Indians are trusting you with their hard-earned savings. That’s a tremendous privilege; also, a huge responsibility.”
With some of India’s biggest recent and upcoming IPOs including Lenskart, Groww and Meesho coming from the new-age economy, Gajwani highlighted that each of these firms have been part of the ET Startup Awards story as past winners, nominees or jurors. Several members of this year’s awards jury were past winners—Sahil Barua (Delhivery), Harshil Mathur (Razorpay), Ruchi Kalra (OfBusiness) and Tarun Mehta (Ather Energy).
Also Read: ET Startup Awards 2025: Piyush Goyal on trade deals, domestic capital pool, AI and more
“It’s a powerful reminder that this ecosystem rewards perseverance and reinvention,” Gajwani said.
As the world undergoes the AI revolution, this year’s winners including Atlan and Qure.ai represent that transformation. “These companies show that India is no longer just a market for global technology, but a maker of global technology,” Gajwani said. “To truly lead this next wave, we must build AI innovation centres… We’ll need deep research, patient capital and visionary policymaking.”
He emphasised that the energy, ambition and risk-taking that defined the last decade must now find fresh momentum.
“As the world races into an AI-driven future, the bar for innovation, governance, and vision is rising,” said Gajwani. “But if there's one thing this ecosystem has shown again and again, it's that India learns fast, it adapts faster, and it thrives under challenge.”
