Key Points
- More than 50 per cent of Indian startups now emerge from tier-2 and tier-3 cities
- India's startup count grew from 400 to 2.3 lakh ventures in a decade
- Startup ecosystem created 24-25 lakh jobs over the past ten years
More than half of India’s startups now emerge from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, Union minister of state for science and technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Saturday (14 June), signalling a shift in the geography of entrepreneurship away from metropolitan centres.
Speaking at the RISE Conclave 2026 in Bengaluru, Singh said the country’s startup ecosystem has expanded from approximately 350-400 ventures a decade ago to nearly 2.3 lakh today, making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The sector has created an estimated 24-25 lakh jobs over the past ten years, according to the minister.
“Entrepreneurship today is accessible to individuals with commitment, passion and technological aptitude, regardless of their location or formal educational qualifications,” Singh said at the event organised under the theme ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship Driven Growth for Viksit Bharat 2047′.
The minister highlighted developments in aerospace innovation, noting that mach33.aero — the country’s first public-private aerospace incubation centre established by CSIR-NAL — a unit of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National Aerospace Laboratories — has completed five years of operations. The Bengaluru-based facility has incubated 34 start-ups since its launch.
More than 125 startups participated in the RISE Conclave 2026, with many operating in the aerospace sector. Singh said such collaborations between startups and scientific institutions could lead to the emergence of new unicorns — start-ups valued at over one billion dollars — in the coming years.
Private sector enters strategic domains
India has opened several previously restricted sectors to private participation in recent years. The space sector, once the exclusive domain of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has seen private companies enter launch services, satellite manufacturing and space data analytics following policy reforms.
Singh said similar progress is being made in biotechnology, deep ocean exploration and nuclear energy through increased collaboration with private stakeholders.
The National Quantum Mission, launched with an eight-year roadmap, has achieved several milestones ahead of schedule, according to the minister. The IndiaAI Mission is creating opportunities in computing infrastructure, data ecosystems and skills development.
India’s position in the Global Innovation Index has improved over the past decade, Singh said, though he did not specify the current ranking or the extent of the improvement.
Patent filings by Indian residents have witnessed steady growth, and Indian research papers are increasingly appearing among globally cited publications.
The RISE Conclave — an acronym for Research, Industry, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship — brought together scientists, industries, investors, academia and policymakers.
By the numbers
- 50%+
- Startups from tier-2 and tier-3 cities
- 2.3 lakh
- Total startups in India
- 24-25 lakh
- Jobs created by start-ups in a decade
The event featured discussions on aerospace technologies, artificial intelligence for societal applications and agri-food innovation, alongside exhibitions and technology transfer agreements.
Singh said the success of the conclave should be measured through outcomes including technologies licensed from laboratories, start-ups incubated, investments secured, industry collaborations established, products commercialised and jobs created.
Your Questions, Answered
What percentage of Indian start-ups come from tier-2 and tier-3 cities?
According to Union minister Jitendra Singh, more than 50 per cent of India's start-ups now emerge from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, demonstrating that innovation is no longer confined to metropolitan centres.
How many start-ups does India have in 2026?
India has nearly 2.3 lakh start-ups as of 2026, up from approximately 350-400 ventures a decade ago. This makes India the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem.
How many jobs has India's start-up sector created?
India's start-up movement has created an estimated 24-25 lakh jobs over the past decade, according to the Union minister of state for science and technology.
What is mach33.aero and how many start-ups has it incubated?
Mach33.aero is India's first public-private aerospace incubation centre, established by CSIR-NAL in Bengaluru. It has completed five years of operations and incubated 34 start-ups.
