India Crosses 2.12 Lakh Recognized Startups Over 1 Lakh Led by Women Directors

India’s startup ecosystem is witness the strong growth. According to recent data released by the government over 1 lakh startups in India have at least one woman director or partner. This position comes out of a total of 2.12 lakh startups which are recognized by DPIIT. This milestone is reflects the success of the Startup India initiative launched in 2016 which aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.

DPIIT Startup Data 2026: Key Highlights

The latest DPIIT startup data 2026 provides the important dtaa into the structure and growth of India’s startup ecosystem.

As the date of 31 January 2026, a total of 2,12,283 startups have been officially recognized.

Out of these 1,02,054 startups have at least one woman director or partner.

This numbers is indicating the significant rise in women led entrepreneurship.

The data also shows that 6,789 startups have been closed and out of which 2,950 had at least one woman leader.

Startup India Initiative and Its Impact

The Startup India initiative was launched on 16 January 2016. This initiative has played a key role in strengthening India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This initiative focuses on the creating a supportive environment for startups through policy reforms, funding support and ease of doing business.

Over the years Startup India has helped the,

• Promote innovation and technological development
• Encourage investment in startups
• Support women entrepreneurs and youth led ventures
• Build a robust startup ecosystem across states

Key Summary Data

Women led Startups in India

Top 10 States (2025 Data – Peak Year)

Government Schemes Supporting Startups in India

To strengthen the India startup ecosystem the government has also introduced several flagship schemes.

This schemes are providing financial and institutional support at different stages of startup growth.

Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)

The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) is managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

It provides the capital to SEBI registered Alternative Investment Funds, which then invest in startups.

Total investment: ₹25,859 crore

Investment in women-led startups: ₹2,995 crore (since 2020)

This scheme has significantly boosted venture capital funding in India.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) provides the financial assistance to early stage startups through incubators.

It focused on helping startups during their initial phase when access to funding is limited.

Total approved funding: ₹592 crore

Funding for women led startups: ₹294 crore

This scheme has played a crucial role in supporting innovation at the grassroots level.

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)

The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) also helps startups access the debt funding through financial institutions by providing credit guarantees.

Total loans guaranteed: ₹925 crore

Loans to women led startups: ₹39 crore

This initiative reduces financial risk for lenders and improves access to credit for startups in India.

Performance of Government Startup Schemes

The performance of this key schemes under the Startup India initiative shows strong participation and relatively low closure rates.

These figures indicate that government backed schemes are helping startups sustain and grow and also with low failure rates among supported entities.

State wise Growth of Women-Led Startups

The DPIIT startup data 2026 also highlights the growth of women led startups across different states.

States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of startups with women directors.

This reflects,

• Strong entrepreneurial ecosystems in major states
• Better access to funding and infrastructure
• Growing awareness and participation of women in business