As the Indian startup landscape continues its rapid evolution, the Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 have unveiled nominees for its most prestigious categories: Startup of the Year and Midas Touch awards. The winners will be decided by a jury led by Wipro’s executive chairman Rishad Premji in an upcoming Bengaluru session.
- Startup of the Year nominees emphasize innovation and rapid growth.
- China’s visa restrictions impact Indian robotics and AI startups’ operations.
- Electric commercial vehicle demand drives Euler Motors’ new plant investment.
What happened
The Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) 2026 announced the nominees for two flagship categories: Startup of the Year and Midas Touch. The jury, chaired by Rishad Premji, will meet on August 25 in Bengaluru to select winners. Among the recognized startups are Porter, Skyroot Aerospace, Rapido, Meesho, Groww, and Sarvam, each noted for their growth and innovative impact in India’s dynamic market.
Midas Touch nominees include prominent investors such as Shailesh Lakhani, Manu Chandra, Anu Hariharan, and Mukesh Bansal, celebrated for their contributions in backing startups with lucrative exits. This iteration marks ETSA’s 12th year, underscoring its historic role in documenting India’s startup rise, having spotlighted companies that have evolved into publicly listed giants.
Why it matters
The ET Startup Awards highlight the ongoing maturation of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, showcasing companies and investors driving economic growth through innovation and capital infusion. Recognizing breakthrough startups encourages wider adoption of new technologies and business models across sectors, from aerospace to e-commerce and fintech.
At the same time, India’s robotics and physical AI startups face hurdles from China’s growing visa restrictions for Indian executives, stalling critical supplier relationships, research, and development. This creates operational challenges and potential losses, emphasizing the fragility of global supply chains for emerging tech firms.
What to watch next
Beyond the awards, the Indian startup scene is marked by strategic investments such as Euler Motors’ Rs 100 crore facility for electric commercial vehicles, responding to rising demand and scaling production capabilities. The success of these startups and investor support will be indicators of how well India can sustain its innovation momentum amid geopolitical and market challenges.
The Economic Times will continue to track winners from the ETSA 2026 and upcoming developments in D2C brands, AI startups, and electric vehicle manufacturing, all key sectors likely to shape India’s technology and investment landscape in the coming years.