Startup Mahakumbh Unveils Startup Maha Rathi for Entrepreneurs with ₹30 Cr Prize Pool

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Avaana Capital, LetsVenture, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), IVCA, HDFC, and others launched the Startup Maha Rathi challenge under the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh, a flagship initiative to empower Indian startups from all over the country with funding, mentorship, and strategic inputs to align with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision; the challenge offers access to funding up to ₹30 crore, mentorship by industry expert mentors, exposure to international investors, special recognition for pathfinder startups of sunrise states and union territories, for 11 industry key sectors such as AI & DeepTech, BioTech & Healthtech, and many more, and the program is to be given the award of Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry to empower startups for growth and contributing to India's technology and economic growth; the contest, with application opening from February 26, 2025, and concluding with a live pitching finale from April 3-5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, has a multi-stage selection process wherein the shortlisted startups are given a reward of ₹1 lakh, top two startups per sector receive ₹10 lakh, next five receive ₹5 lakh, and next five receive ₹3 lakh, besides expert guidance and investor access through a jury of 100+ leading VCs, angel investors, and domain experts of Startup India and supporting organizations. Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, added that the startup scene in India is undergoing a sea change, and programs like these are essential to making sure that high-potential businesses get the assistance they need to succeed. It will be crucial in forming the next generation of disruptive entrepreneurs by fostering a robust culture of innovation. Applications for Startup Maha Rathi 2025 will open on February 26, 2025, with a deadline of March 7, 2025. The next round for startups that are shortlisted after an initial screening, will need to present virtually a jury panel between March 15 – 25th. Eligible startups must be DPIIT-recognized entities in their early or growth stages, operating in India as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership Firm. Startups can apply through the official website: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/ams-application/challenge.html?applicationId=67bdbb76e4b0c167e9f99da2.