Startup Policy Forum launched to empower India’s innovation economy

India’s vibrant startup ecosystem has reached a pivotal moment with the launch of the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a first-of-its-kind industry alliance aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a global hub for innovation. This not-for-profit organization, founded by public policy expert Shweta Rajpal Kohli, seeks to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and policymakers, ensuring that regulatory frameworks foster innovation economy growth and global competitiveness.

With over 30 prominent startups as founding members, including Razorpay, CRED, Swiggy, OYO, and Groww, the Startup Policy Forum is poised to serve as the collective voice of India’s startup ecosystem. In its initial phase, the Forum plans to limit membership to 100 select startups, reflecting its exclusive approach to building a focused and impactful network.

A platform to shape India’s economic future

At its core, the Startup Policy Forum is designed to advocate for policies that empower startups, address sector-specific councils, and drive sustainable growth. Shweta Rajpal Kohli highlighted that SPF’s primary mission is to facilitate public policy advocacy between the startup ecosystem and regulatory bodies. She noted that India’s startup ecosystem benefits from macroeconomic stability and government-led initiatives such as Startup India and Digital India, making the nation a prime destination for innovation.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal praised the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with India’s goal of becoming a developed nation, or “Viksit Bharat,” by 2047. He underscored the transformative role of startups in democratizing business opportunities and generating employment, expressing confidence that the Startup Policy Forum would reinforce India’s global leadership in the new-age economy.

Tailored councils to address industry needs

The Forum has established sector-specific councils to provide targeted support for startups operating in key areas like fintech, consumer technology, emerging technologies like AI, and newly listed public companies. Each council will collaborate closely with industry regulators and stakeholders, ensuring that public policy advocacy addresses sector-specific challenges effectively.

SPF’s team of experts in taxation, legal affairs, and marketing ensures that its advocacy is informed and impactful. The Forum aims to position India’s startup ecosystem as a global startup platform, enabling entrepreneurs to scale businesses domestically and overseas. In the coming months, SPF will announce advisory and mentor boards comprising thought leaders to guide its initiatives further.

Driving global competitiveness and innovation

India, home to the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, boasts over 100 unicorns and many companies preparing for IPOs. This surge in activity underscores the need for government-led initiatives that foster innovation economy growth and create favourable regulatory frameworks. The Startup Policy Forum is expected to play a central role in supporting Indian startups during this high-growth phase.

Kohli emphasized that SPF marks a new chapter for India’s startup ecosystem. By fostering collaboration and tackling regulatory hurdles, the Forum aims to sustain the new-age economy, enabling startups to achieve global recognition.

With the backing of government-led initiatives and a united startup community, the Startup Policy Forum is set to transform India into a global startup platform, shaping its economic future through constructive dialogue and collaboration.