National Startup Awards

The National Startup Awards by the Department of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the government of India gives to benefit entities from such recognition in various aspects of their business, including but not limited to, business, financing, partnerships, and talent, a role model for other entities and budding entrepreneurs. It will inspire them to be purposeful and responsible about their socio-economic impact. The first-ever National Startup Awards (‘NSA’) were concluded in October 2020, to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact . Categories of Award Award CategoryAward Focus AreaWomen-Led Innovation Startups led by at least one-woman directorImpact in Rural AreasStartups creating wealth, livelihood and improving lives through their innovations in rural areasNextGen InnovatorStartups with student founders who have built innovative solutions at a young ageIndia’s Social Impact ChampionStartups working towards social impact in healthcare, Indic language, education, livelihood, or any other allied areaExcellence in Innovation from the North-East and Hilly States/UTStartups with innovative solutions from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and UttarakhandSustainability ChampionStartups focused on climate change, sustainability, waste management, renewables, or allied sectorsChampions of Cultural HeritageStartups preserving or proliferating textiles, art, and tourism among othersRetail Innovator of the YearStartups in retail technologies or food processingBest Startup of the Year Startup with the aggregate highest score amongst all categoriesRising Star AwardEarly-stage startups with growth potentialGenesis Innovators of the yearStartups focused on disruptive technology, including, Deep-TechAccessibility Innovation Award Startups working towards improving accessibility for people with disabilities (PwD)Financial Inclusion Award Startups working towards financial inclusion & literacyAeroInnovate Award Startups focused on aerospace, drones, or aviation solutionExcellence in Local to Global Startups with an international consumer baseIndependent Trailblazer Award Startups who have been bootstrapped from their inceptionPivotPro AwardStartups that have changed the existing business model and successfully revamped their business in the face of adversityThe Next Pioneer Award Startups that have strong product-market fit, and are building a sustainable, successful businessInnovators for Agriculture and Animal HusbandryStartups working for adoption and promotion of innovative farming and production practicesIndigenous Ingenuity ChampionStartups that have been manufacturing in IndiaRules for National Startup Awards 2023 1. Participation in the National Startup Awards is voluntary. 1. Startups who have been declared winners under any sector/sub-sector or category in any of the previous editions of the National Startup Awards will not be eligible. However, the finalists of the previous editions may apply. 1. Award application form is to be filled in English only. 1. One startup can nominate itself in maximum 2 categories. 1. Finalists maybe subject to a legal due diligence review by independent third-party evaluators. If the individual/organization refuses to such a request, Startup India holds the right to select the next highest scoring nominee as the award winner. 1. By participating in the National Startup Awards, the startups agree to the Government of India’s and its partners use of its name, URL, photos, and videos for promotional purposes on its website and other promotional material. 1. Any false information provided within the context of National Startup Awards by any entity concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, email address, ownership of right, or non-compliance with these rules or any terms and conditions or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the entity from the awards process. 1. The decisions of the jury and the evaluation agency shall be final and binding. 1. All support agencies, jury, shall sign (physically or digitally) a non-disclosure agreement with Startup India. 1. DPIIT reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the National Startup Awards or not award any entity in any of the categories. DPIIT further reserves the right to disqualify any candidate/entity that tampers with the submission process, commits fraud or is in violation of criminal and/or civil laws. 1. Allowances shall not be paid to any entity for travel or presentation before jury