In a strategic move to bolster India’s startup ecosystem, Mamatha Venkatesh has been appointed as the new Head of Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for the flagship initiative, which was launched in 2016 to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation across the country. With over 100,000 startups already recognised under the program, Venkatesh is expected to drive the next phase of growth through inclusive policies and enhanced stakeholder engagement.
An experienced leader in innovation management and enterprise development, Venkatesh is known for her strategic vision and execution capabilities. Her priorities are likely to include expanding the reach of the initiative in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, strengthening support for women entrepreneurs, and scaling sector-specific accelerator programs.
Industry watchers believe the Startup India mission, under her leadership, will also focus on sustainability-oriented startups, social-impact tech platforms, and cross-border collaborations to reinforce India’s position as a global innovation hub.
Her appointment is widely viewed as a significant step toward fostering a more robust and inclusive startup landscape aligned with India’s $5 trillion economy vision.
