Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has unveiled a bold, reform-driven initiative aimed at empowering India’s startup ecosystem. At the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 event, Goyal announced the launch of a dedicated helpline under the Startup India initiative, a platform where entrepreneurs can report corrupt government officials, register complaints about bribery, and suggest reforms for regulatory hurdles. The move marks a strong stance by the government to enhance transparency, responsiveness, and innovation in India’s startup landscape.
A New Helpline to Empower Entrepreneurs
Goyal emphasized that this helpline would not only accept complaints against corruption but also act as a feedback loop for policymakers. Startups struggling with outdated rules or innovative tools that current regulations do not cover can use the helpline to raise concerns directly with the ministry.
“I am going to start a new desk within Startup India in my ministry, which will be a helpline for any startup anywhere in the country,” Goyal said during the event. “If you face any problems with government officials, have a suggestion for regulatory reform, call that helpline. If somebody has developed a tool, which is not covered by current laws, that may need a rethinking of existing regulatory frameworks, reach out to us.”
With this initiative, the government wants to make sure no entrepreneur remains unheard. This helpline promises to cut through bureaucracy, break down red tape, and give founders direct access to the ministry’s attention.
Regulatory Innovation in Focus
The helpline’s scope goes beyond grievance redressal. Goyal made it clear that the government is open to suggestions for regulatory transformation, especially from startups working at the cutting edge of technology. This aligns with the minister’s broader vision to reshape India’s policy framework to support innovation rather than obstruct it.
Startups facing challenges due to legacy laws or operating in sectors where the regulatory grey area stifles innovation now have a direct channel to push for change. Goyal’s call to action positions startups as key contributors to national policy discourse.
Deeptech Gets a Spotlight
In the same address, Goyal announced that the government would allocate a significant chunk of its ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds (FoF) for startups to the deeptech sector. The fund aims to mobilize patient capital for high-investment, high-risk ventures in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and quantum computing.
“We will allocate a substantial portion of the FoF to deeptech to back research-focused startups,” said Goyal. “These ventures need time, trust, and long-term capital. We’re creating a framework to support them.”
This announcement comes at a time when global economies are racing to build deeptech capabilities. Goyal’s remarks underline India’s intention to not merely participate but lead in the fourth industrial revolution.
Controversial Comments Spark Debate
Goyal’s remarks at Startup Mahakumbh didn’t stop at announcements. The minister triggered a heated debate across the startup ecosystem by calling out Indian startups for focusing on delivery services rather than innovation.
“Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls? Is that the destiny of India?… This is not a startup, this is entrepreneurship,” he said. “What the other side (China) is doing — robotics, machine learning, 3D manufacturing and next-generation factories.”
He criticized the current startup trend of building quick-commerce platforms and food delivery businesses, accusing them of turning India’s unemployed youth into cheap labor. Goyal stressed the need for India to shift its focus to core technology innovation, hinting that a nation of over a billion people deserves better technological ambition.
Startup Leaders Respond
Goyal’s comments drew mixed reactions. Some founders and investors backed his call for higher innovation standards, while others defended the economic and employment contributions of consumer-focused startups.
Zepto cofounder Aadit Palicha responded by highlighting his company’s impact. He stated that Zepto contributes over ₹1,000 crore in taxes annually and employs 1.5 lakh people across the country. He questioned the fairness of dismissing such models, especially given their role in job creation and economic stimulation.
TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, also weighed in. He criticized the comparison with China, calling it unfair and unproductive. Pai emphasized that India’s startup ecosystem has evolved under different circumstances and continues to grow rapidly despite unique challenges.
A Fork in the Road: What Direction Will India Take?
Goyal’s helpline announcement and deeptech funding allocation signal a clear policy pivot. The government wants Indian startups to think bigger and go deeper. It seeks startups that tackle fundamental technological challenges, not just market inefficiencies.
At the same time, his controversial comments have highlighted a deeper rift in how different segments of the startup world view value creation. On one side are founders who build high-tech solutions in AI, healthtech, or robotics — sectors that require years of research, patient capital, and state support. On the other side are consumer-centric startups, who solve day-to-day issues, create jobs, and drive rapid economic activity.
Both play a role in India’s startup journey. But Goyal has now thrown down the gauntlet, urging the country to raise its aspirations and match China’s scale and sophistication in deep technology.
What Comes Next?
With the new helpline and increased attention on deeptech funding, Goyal has put the ball in the startup ecosystem’s court. Entrepreneurs now have the tools to escalate issues, seek regulatory support, and push for reforms. However, the government also expects startups to step up, take risks, and innovate in complex, high-impact sectors.
The success of these initiatives will depend on execution and follow-through. If the helpline truly works as promised—quick response, real policy feedback, and transparent redressal—it could become one of the most empowering tools for Indian entrepreneurs in recent times.
Simultaneously, the fund-of-funds must flow to startups that are solving real-world problems through science and tech. India needs more risk capital for moonshot projects, not just another delivery app.
Final Word
Piyush Goyal has thrown a spotlight on the real choices facing Indian startups. Do they continue to chase scale in familiar models, or do they dive deep into research-driven, capital-intensive innovation? With the launch of the startup helpline and increased government backing for deeptech, the ecosystem now has fewer excuses and more opportunity.
The coming years will reveal how India’s startups respond to this call. One thing is clear: the government wants a startup India that doesn’t just build companies—it builds the future.