The Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 will be decided by a high-profile jury featuring prominent founders, CEOs, and investors who have shaped India's tech and startup ecosystem.
- Jury led by Wipro chairman Rishad Premji
- Includes founders of Paytm, Flipkart, Urban Company, and Nykaa
- Focus on emerging trends in AI, fintech, and consumer tech
What happened
The Economic Times has announced the jury panel for its 2026 Startup Awards, showcasing India’s leading entrepreneurs and business executives who will judge the country’s most promising startups. The jury is chaired by Rishad Premji, executive chairman of Wipro, who brings experience from overseeing one of India's largest IT firms and leading early-stage venture investments through Wipro Ventures.
Other jury members include Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and CEO of Paytm, Sachin Bansal, cofounder of Flipkart and fintech entrepreneur, and Irina Ghose, managing director of Anthropic India, an AI research leader. The panel also features Mukesh Bansal of Nurix AI, Mithun Sacheti with a strong consumer brand background, Abhiraj Singh Bhal of Urban Company, and Adwaita Nayar from Nykaa Fashion.
Why it matters
This jury lineup highlights the critical sectors driving India’s startup ecosystem, including AI, fintech, ecommerce, and consumer internet services. Their collective expertise and industry stature enhance the credibility and reach of the ET Startup Awards, which act as an important benchmark for innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
Having seasoned entrepreneurs and investors like Sachin Bansal, who transitioned from ecommerce to digital financial services, alongside AI and enterprise tech leaders, signals a broad view on the future of startups. It also underscores the importance of recognizing technologies that can scale domestically and globally, driving investor and market confidence in India’s emerging firms.
What to watch next
The announcements of award nominees and category winners will reveal the startups gaining momentum in India's competitive market, especially in AI-driven and fintech innovations. Observers should watch how the jury's expertise influences award selections and which emerging sectors gain spotlight through this prestigious platform.
Additionally, startups recognized by this jury may gain increased visibility, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships. The decisions made by this eminent panel will likely shape investor interest and ecosystem trends heading into 2027 and beyond, reinforcing India’s position as a leading startup hub.