Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 18 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to promote the startup ecosystem in the country, coinciding with the completion of nine years of the 'Startup India' initiative.

Taking to the social media platform X, CM Yogi Adityanath stated: 'Under the visionary leadership of respected Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, the "Startup India" initiative has given new dimensions to entrepreneurship in the country and made the youth and women power self-reliant. Today, through simple regulations, financial support and policies that encourage innovation, India has become a global hub for startups. Congratulations to all the startup entrepreneurs and heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister on the completion of 9 years of this revolutionary initiative of transforming the youth from "job seekers" to "job givers"!'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday celebrated the 9th anniversary of the Startup India initiative, emphasizing its transformative impact on the country's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. 'Today, we mark #9YearsOfStartupIndia, a landmark initiative that has redefined innovation, entrepreneurship and growth. This is a programme very close to my heart, as it has emerged as a powerful way of furthering youth empowerment,' he wrote.

As per officially released data, India has established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with more than 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of January 15, 2025. DPIIT-recognised startups have created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across various sectors from 2016 to October 31, 2024, significantly contributing to employment generation in the country, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

This vibrant ecosystem, driven by over 100 unicorns, continues to redefine innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage. Major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have spearheaded this transformation, while smaller cities are increasingly contributing to the nation's entrepreneurial momentum.

Startups in fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce have addressed local challenges and gained global recognition. Companies like Zomato, Nykaa, and Ola exemplify India's shift from job seekers to job creators, driving economic progress.

Over the past nine years, the Startup India initiative has played a pivotal role in shaping a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. By fostering innovation and inclusivity, it has achieved remarkable milestones that underscore its impact on India's economy and society.

(ANI)