India’s innovation ecosystem continues to evolve with strength and speed. A major contributor to this growth is the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which has cemented its position as a true enabler of startup success. By facilitating over ₹38,500 crore in transactions for nearly 30,000 startups, GeM actively fuels innovation, inclusion, and economic development across the country.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a statement on Sunday highlighting the platform’s incredible impact. Startups across sectors now receive direct access to government procurement, a domain once limited to large-scale vendors and bureaucratic processes. GeM has flipped the narrative by building an open, digital, and transparent procurement platform that serves both buyers and sellers fairly.
GeM: A Purpose-Driven Innovation Platform
Established as a Section 8 company, GeM functions under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Since its inception, the platform has transformed public procurement by removing bottlenecks and making government buying more efficient, inclusive, and innovation-friendly.
Unlike traditional marketplaces, GeM doesn’t just facilitate transactions—it builds capacity. Ministries, Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), State Departments, and Autonomous Bodies can now procure everything from tech services to office supplies directly from startups, small businesses, and individual entrepreneurs.
This shift brings agility to the government and opportunity to the startup ecosystem. Instead of long-drawn bidding processes that favor incumbents, GeM offers digital onboarding, cataloging, and instant order visibility for new players. Startups no longer face exclusion; they now stand at the center of India’s development framework.
Empowering Startups at Scale
Over 30,000 startups have already benefited from GeM’s buyer network. These startups have fulfilled public procurement orders worth over ₹38,500 crore, proving that young companies can meet government standards and deliver on time, at scale, and with innovation.
This access not only boosts revenue but also brings credibility. When a startup successfully serves a government department, it earns a seal of trust that helps it attract more clients, investors, and partnerships. Startups that once struggled to find product-market fit now secure real-world validation and long-term growth through GeM.
The platform ensures transparent transactions, which build trust between startups and government bodies. Founders no longer navigate endless approvals or paperwork. Instead, they use a streamlined, tech-enabled procurement process that values efficiency over hierarchy.
Women Entrepreneurs Lead from the Front
GeM’s commitment to inclusion shines through its support for women entrepreneurs. According to the Ministry, women now represent 8% of the total seller base on GeM. A total of 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have registered on the portal. Collectively, they have delivered an impressive ₹46,615 crore in order value.
These numbers tell a powerful story. Women founders no longer remain on the sidelines of economic growth. They now supply critical goods and services across sectors—from textiles and crafts to tech and healthcare. GeM doesn’t just offer visibility; it actively levels the playing field.
Women-led MSEs, once limited by traditional market structures and funding gaps, now tap into India’s largest institutional buyer: the government. This change uplifts communities, inspires younger generations, and helps bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
Startup Maha Kumbh: GeM Doubles Down on Engagement
During the recently concluded Startup Maha Kumbh, GeM took its support strategy to the next level. The platform responded to over 2,500 queries from startups, enabling 1,000 new registrations and cataloging efforts in just a few days.
More than 1,500 interactive sessions unfolded during the event. These included group mentoring, individual hand-holding, skilling sessions, and onboarding support through GeM’s Learning Management System (LMS). Startups learned how to list products, submit bids, manage orders, and comply with procurement protocols.
GeM didn’t act as a distant partner—it worked on the ground with founders, tech teams, and ecosystem enablers. Its participation as a strategic presenting partner brought startup founders face-to-face with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. This proximity helped create new collaborations and opened doors to larger opportunities within the public sector.
The event celebrated India’s emerging strength in cutting-edge sectors. Startups from DeepTech, AgriTech, MedTech, BioTech, Artificial Intelligence, and Gaming gathered under one roof. GeM’s presence showcased its long-term mission—to serve as a bridge between government buyers and India’s innovation pioneers.
Policy, Platform, and Purpose: GeM’s Vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat
GeM’s growth aligns closely with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat—a self-reliant India powered by indigenous talent and innovation. Rather than relying on imported technologies or international vendors, GeM helps government departments source solutions locally. Startups, in turn, gain access to stable and recurring revenue streams.
Shri Ajay Bhadoo, CEO of GeM, delivered a keynote address during the Startup Maha Kumbh. His message echoed GeM’s commitment to inclusive development through startup-government collaboration. “Let’s work together and unlock the true potential of public procurement in driving startup growth, inclusive development, and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
This vision goes beyond policy talk. Under Bhadoo’s leadership, GeM has translated ideas into action. By scaling a digital marketplace that supports both buyers and sellers, GeM now defines a new model of governance-driven innovation.
Transforming Government Procurement
For decades, public procurement remained riddled with inefficiencies, favoritism, and bureaucracy. Startups often failed to penetrate this space because of complex rules, delayed payments, or lack of access.
GeM changed that narrative by redesigning procurement with technology and transparency. Sellers now track orders in real-time. Buyers rate service quality. Payments process quickly and digitally. This transformation injects much-needed accountability into government systems.
At the same time, GeM’s scale offers unmatched opportunity. Startups don’t need to pitch one buyer at a time. They gain exposure to a national marketplace filled with verified buyers ready to place orders.
Strengthening India’s Global Innovation Standing
GeM’s efforts ripple beyond procurement. They raise India’s stature in the global innovation race. When a government actively buys from startups, it sends a strong signal to investors and international partners—that the country backs its innovators with more than just words.
By validating homegrown solutions, GeM helps startups scale faster, access working capital, and attract growth capital. This blend of policy support and commercial success creates a powerful flywheel effect for the entire startup ecosystem.
GeM doesn’t just buy products. It accelerates validation, unlocks scale, and strengthens startup resilience. Through real contracts and market-ready demand, the platform empowers founders to build enduring businesses.
Final Thoughts
The Government e-Marketplace has emerged as a force multiplier for India’s innovation economy. With over ₹38,500 crore worth of orders fulfilled by 30,000 startups, GeM proves that public procurement can become a launchpad—not a roadblock—for entrepreneurs.
Its efforts in onboarding, mentoring, and promoting women entrepreneurs show a deep commitment to inclusion. Its technology-first approach reduces red tape and builds trust. Its partnerships with policymakers and founders demonstrate agility and purpose.
As India marches toward becoming a global innovation leader, platforms like GeM will play a central role. They will not only drive growth but also shape a new narrative—one where government and startups walk the journey together, building a future that’s bold, inclusive, and truly Atmanirbhar.