The Bharat Startup Yatra, part of the Bharat Startup India Summit (BSIS), was hosted by Amity Innovation Incubator at Amity University, Noida. The event attracted over 1,100 startups and a live audience of 5,000 participants from 14 countries and 29 cities, marking a milestone as Bharat’s first multi-country hybrid startup ecosystem program.
Hon’ble Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister of Electronics & IT, Uttar Pradesh, graced the event as the Chief Guest. He lauded Dr Aseem Chauhan, Chancellor of Amity University, and Shri Vinayak Nath, President of BSIS, for their leadership in launching this national initiative. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing young entrepreneurs to strengthen both the state and national economies.
Dr. Chauhan highlighted Amity Innovation Incubator’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, positioning the university as a leader in supporting startup growth. Shri Awanish Awasthi, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, praised the festival’s holistic approach in empowering startups and reiterated Uttar Pradesh’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath.
Vinayak Nath, National President of BSIS, emphasized India’s rise as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and its aspiration to secure the second position by 2026. He noted Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to this growth, as many of India’s unicorn founders hail from the state. Nath also announced the establishment of a BSIS Industry Cell at all Amity campuses to connect startups with investors, mentors, and government resources.
The event featured panel discussions and fireside chats with industry leaders from companies such as Microsoft, Thinkuvate, and Kent RO. Experts explored topics like artificial intelligence (AI), deep tech, and their impact on startup funding. Vinay Kumar, Director of AI at Microsoft APAC, discussed the transformative role of AI across industries, emphasizing its potential to automate processes and enhance decision-making.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Smt Swati Nath, CEO and Secretary General of BSIS. Distinguished guests included Col Saurabh Sanyal, Mahesh Gupta (Chairman, Kent RO), Dr Balvinder Shukla (Vice-Chancellor, Amity University), and Mr Shammi Khanna (Co-Founder, Dolce Vita Advisors).
Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, the Amity Innovation Incubator is a pioneering initiative in university-based innovation. Recognized as a top performer by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and awarded ‘Incubator of the Year 2024’ by the Asian Association of Business Incubation, the incubator has nurtured numerous tech-based startups. These startups have achieved recognition at platforms such as The Power of Ideas, Red Herring Global, and NASSCOM Innovation Awards. Ranked among the top incubators by Entrepreneur magazine, the incubator continues to drive India’s innovation landscape forward.
