The ET Startup Awards 2026 gala in Bengaluru convened over 300 leaders from India’s startup and technology spheres, highlighting the country’s dynamic entrepreneurship landscape amidst new global challenges and opportunities.
- Groww named ET Startup of the Year 2026
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlights India-US trade and visa changes
- Deep tech and AI emerge as pivotal growth areas
What happened
The 12th Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) took place in Bengaluru, gathering more than 300 founders, investors, and policymakers from across India’s startup ecosystem. The event highlighted the impressive progress made by Indian startups, with judges recognizing winners across categories from innovation to social impact and comeback stories.
Guest of honour Union Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the audience, underlining the growing importance of India’s tech ecosystem on the global stage, the evolving nature of India-US trade relations, and the potential benefits of recent H-1B visa constraints for domestic entrepreneurship. The event also celebrated the rise of deep tech and AI sectors as key drivers of future growth.
Why it matters
India’s startup ecosystem, now home to over 250,000 registered companies, is experiencing a broadening of innovation beyond traditional centers into emerging areas like artificial intelligence and deep tech. This evolution signals a maturation that drives not only domestic growth but also increases Indian companies’ global ambitions and public market participation.
In light of tightening US immigration policies such as the H-1B visa restrictions, the minister and industry leaders view these challenges as opportunities to retain talent and fuel more homegrown ventures. This shift could significantly influence how Indian startups scale and innovate in the coming decade, fostering a stronger domestic tech economy.
What to watch next
The performance and global expansion of next-generation Indian startups in AI and deep tech will be key indicators to watch. Companies like Groww, which won Startup of the Year, exemplify success stories to follow as they navigate public market listings and scale internationally with greater operational maturity.
Additionally, ongoing developments in India-US trade relations and talent mobility will shape investment flows and startup strategies. Observing how startups adapt to changing visa regimes and leverage new government initiatives will be critical for stakeholders seeking to understand India’s evolving role in global technology innovation.