Groww, India’s leading wealthtech platform, was named Startup of the Year at the 12th Economic Times Startup Awards 2026. Manu Chandra, founder of Sauce VC, received the prestigious Midas Touch award, recognizing his successful consumer brand investments.
- Groww wins Startup of the Year for scale and profitability
- Manu Chandra honored with Midas Touch for outstanding venture successes
- First-ever joint winners in Woman Ahead category
What happened
The 12th edition of The Economic Times Startup Awards concluded with Groww being adjudged Startup of the Year. The jury, led by Wipro chairman Rishad Premji and composed of prominent industry leaders, spent nearly three hours selecting winners across eight categories. Other notable winners included digital wellness platform Habuild as Bootstrap Champ, cleantech startup Varaha receiving Social Enterprise honors, and Theranautilus named Top Innovator.
Manu Chandra, founder of consumer-focused VC Sauce VC, was awarded the coveted Midas Touch for his exceptional early-stage investments resulting in multiple lucrative exits. For the first time, the Woman Ahead category saw a tie between Pallavi Mohadikar of Palmonas and Pallavi Shrivastava of Progcap, recognizing their exceptional leadership in distinct segments.
Why it matters
Groww's recognition underscores its position as India's largest stockbroking and investment platform, noted for scaling profitably in a highly regulated, competitive space. This award joins Groww with a select group of past winners such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Lenskart — companies that have since evolved into blue-chip public enterprises, highlighting the award's foresight in identifying future market leaders.
Manu Chandra's Midas Touch award draws attention to the strategic importance of early investments in consumer brands, which can yield outsized returns and successful exits. The diverse jury's deliberations also reflect the maturing Indian startup ecosystem, where long-term capital and strategic thinking are increasingly driving innovation and sustainable growth.
What to watch next
Industry watchers should monitor Groww's continued expansion and profitability as it navigates intensifying competition and regulatory challenges in the financial sector. Its trajectory could set benchmarks for emerging fintech players seeking scale without compromising margins.
As Manu Chandra's investment approach exemplifies, venture capital in India is evolving to back consumer brands with long-term potential. Observers should keep an eye on Sauce VC's portfolio for future breakthrough exits. Meanwhile, the rising prominence of women founders and bootstrapped startups showcased in this award cycle may inspire broader diversity and sustainable scaling trends across India’s startup ecosystem.