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Exploring India's Startup Ecosystem
Compared to the past and how we struggled for education to become the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, India has come a long way.
With the emergence of technology across all sectors and young entrepreneurs with creative ideas for the "Social Good," technology in India has become synonymous with economic success. Here are the top five cities in India that are making significant contributions to India's technological advancement.
India's Top 5 Tech Hubs
Let's look at the rise of startups in India and how the country's tech hubs have aided their innovation by providing a platform and assistance.
Here are India’s top 5 tech hubs to serve as a guide for entrepreneurs looking to establish their startups in these vibrant ecosystems.
Bengaluru
Bengaluru (previously Banglore) is renowned as India's "Silicon Valley." It is currently the core of India's leading high-tech industry, the second-fastest expanding metropolitan city in India, and the first in startup and entrepreneurship development.
The Karnataka government's Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology greatly assists startups by providing and supporting them with many possibilities, a huge relief for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Bengaluru's cost of living is very inexpensive compared to other metropolitan locations, making it simple to run a startup. Karnataka's government has established many fund-allocation schemes for entrepreneurs, including the Karnataka Startup Cell Fund.
The standard of living is also appealing. It has well-developed infrastructure, transportation, and international connectivity, making it convenient for investors and other essential players to visit and explore the city.
Top 5 tech startups in Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Over the years, Hyderabad has become one of India's most popular startup hubs, surpassing Mumbai, the financial capital. It has a valuable presence in institutions such as:
- IIT Hyderabad
- ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education
- IMT Hyderabad
- IIIT Hyderabad
The existence of such institutions aided and incubated upcoming startups, as well as various innovation and software startups thriving in this city. The largest shift occurred in 2021 when Hyderabad established 3,145 startups.
In the last three years, startups in Hyderabad have raised more than $500 million together, with many of them now aiming to enter India's "Unicorn club." This progress in Hyderabad led to the city being dubbed "Cyberabad."
The city is also at the forefront of transportation, with international connections, metros, and trains, among other things. Its location is appealing since it connects the entire north-south route. Moreover, internal startup hubs in Hyderabad include HITEC City, Genome Valley, and others.
Top 5 tech startups in Hyderabad
- Skyroot Aerospace
- MedPlus
- Bharat Biotech
- Urban Kissan
- Darwin Box
Mumbai
Mumbai (previously Bombay) is India's largest city in population, cultural diversity, etc. Mumbai is India's financial hub and is also known as the "City of Dreams," as it is home to 16% of the country's startups.
There are about 140+ EdTech, 90+ Fintech, 100+ FoodTech, and other startups in Mumbai, which is also the most appealing destination for investors, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs, both nationally and globally, with the most convenient connectivity from Mumbai to any place.
With more weekly postings on the wall, blogs, and channels, employment in Mumbai is also rising. The ground in Mumbai is appealing for startups because of the presence of various banks that provide access to financial services for entrepreneurs.
Mumbai's broad market, with a diverse and populated audience, is ideal for startups to test their sustainability and how the product or service may operate if trying to spread national or international borders.
Mumbai has a well-developed infrastructure with efficient transit and connections. The city is brimming with talent, allowing it to compete in national and international markets, making it one of the top tech hubs in India for startups.
Top 5 tech startups in Mumbai
- Nykka
- Bookmyshow
- Polygon (MATIC)
- UpGrad
- InCred
Kolkata
“The City of Joy,” Kolkata is traditionally famous for its sweet people and sweets that express all hues of life in terms of literature, fashion, and the Eden Gardens, but it is also growing as India's primary tech hub, home to several successful active startups in India.
The West Bengal government has also developed a "Startup Resource Centre" in Kolkata. The government is also actively assisting and supporting startups in Kolkata by providing first-rate infrastructure and encouraging free WiFi throughout the city.
Top 5 tech startups in Kolkata
- Legal Salah
- Notebook
- Santa Delivers
- Taxmantra
- Fusion Charts
Pune
The cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune, is a prominent automotive and IT center in India, making it an attractive place for investments in technology-based startups. The city's proximity to Mumbai strengthens its appeal for travel, trade, business, and lifestyle.
Pune is an emerging powerhouse for India's growing startup ecosystem, but it is already a booming hub for the automotive and IT sectors alongside Bengaluru and is a popular location for investment by some of the world's largest MNCs, providing increased opportunities for entrepreneurs in India.
Such large firms and financial investment are a huge benefit that has encouraged and generated new avenues for entrepreneurs to grow in this city to eventually join India's "Unicorn club."
Top 5 tech startups in Pune
- Firstcry
- Xpressbees
- Rebel Foods
- EarlySalary
- Pariksha
Happy Reading!
