India’s startup ecosystem should shift to value-scale model: Report
India’s startup ecosystem must undergo a shift in narrative and policy focus—from valuation-centric growth to value- scale, a report said on Tuesday.
IANS
Apr 28, 2026 11:11
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New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) India’s startup ecosystem must undergo a shift in narrative and policy focus—from valuation-centric growth to value- scale, a report said on Tuesday.
The report from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) urged policymakers to improve access to growth capital, enable proportionate regulatory structures, strengthen digital public infrastructure and foster innovation through R&D support.
Patient and diversified capital pools should be made available to support startups through their scale-up journeys, particularly in capital-intensive and deep-tech sectors, the industry body said.
Ensure clear, predictable, and innovation-supportive regulatory frameworks that minimize compliance burdens while enabling responsible growth, it added.
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII said that India’s startup ecosystem is at an inflection point and the next phase of growth must be anchored in building enterprises that are sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive.
India has established itself as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 120 unicorns, a combined valuation exceeding $390 billion, and cumulative funding of over $118 billion.
India’s startup ecosystem has emerged as one of the most dynamic globally, supported by robust digital public infrastructure, a vibrant entrepreneurial base, and a progressively enabling policy environment.
The report said that the ecosystem has matured into a new phase marked by a structural transition from valuation-led growth to value-driven, innovation-led development.
This evolution signals a shift in focus toward sustainable unit economics, operational discipline, deeper innovation capabilities, and long-term global competitiveness, the industry association noted.
The report said that enduring value creation goes beyond valuations and is driven by innovation, execution excellence, and responsible scaling.
It urged policy makers to align policy frameworks more closely with the realities of high-growth, technology-led enterprises.
While access to early-stage funding has improved considerably, the report emphasised the importance of strengthening capital availability for growth and late-stage expansion, particularly in sectors that require sustained, long-term investment.
—IANS
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