Empowering Innovation, Elevating Maharashtra!
Maharashtra State Innovation Society celebrated National Startup Day 2025 at the Jio Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai, marking a new era of entrepreneurship and innovation. The event was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis Hon’ble Minister Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, industry leaders, and startup visionaries.
Maharashtra startups witnessed electrifying and insightful discussions from Industry leaders to power their startup dream.
Under the leadership of Hon. Chief Minister Maharashtra is set to establish Innovation City – a game-changing hub for startups and industry collaboration.
✨ Key Highlights:
✅ Inspiring keynotes by falguni nayar (Nykaa) and Harsh Mariwala (Marico).
✅ MoUs signed with SIDBI(Small Industries Development Bank of India) & HP boosting innovation in Maharashtra.
✅ Women-led startups of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme took center stage, unlocking new growth opportunities.
✅ Fireside Chat: The Rise of India's Unicorn Startups! India’s unicorn startups are thriving due to vast market potential, strong investor confidence, robust digital infrastructure, and supportive government policies. In an insightful discussion, Ronnie Screwvala Co-founder of UpGrad & Swades Foundation, Ishpreet Singh Gandhi Founder & MD of Stride Ventures, and Punit K Goyal Co-founder of BluSmart (Moderator) shared their perspectives on what drives the success of these billion-dollar ventures. Their insights highlighted the key factors fueling India's startup boom and the opportunities ahead for aspiring entrepreneurs.
✅ Panel Discussion: Igniting Startups – Role of Funding
The event witnessed the power packed panel discussion on how Funding plays a pivotal role in enabling startups to invest in research and development, technology, talent acquisition, and marketing — all of which are essential for scaling operations, featuring Amey Mashelkar Head, JioGenNext Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma Co-founder, Venture Catalyst & 9Unicorns, Ashish Wadhwani - Co-Founder and Managing Partner IvyCap Ventures, Jeenendra Bhandari - Chairman JIIF, Ranu Vohra Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Avendus and moderated by Dr. Apoorva Palkar Vice Chancellor of Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University.
✅ Panel Discussion: An insightful discussion on ‘Empowering Women-led Startups – Unlocking Potential & Driving Growth’. This empowering conversation will featured the esteemed panelists Ahana Gautam Founder & CEO of Open Secret, Pallavi Utagi Founder & CEO of SuperBottoms, 🌏 Shreya Ghodawat Ⓥ 🌱 Sustainability Strategist and Entrepreneur, and Vibha Kagzi Founder & CEO of ReachIvy and moderated by @Sonali Patwardhan an orthopedic surgeon and artist.
A huge thanks to esteemed speakers, panel members, to all the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who made this day a grand success!
Vivek Mogal Amit Kothawade Afreen Shaikh Rakhi Tambat Sumeet Jain Kanan Kumari