At the 12th edition of the Economic Times Startup Awards held in Bengaluru, wealthtech platform Groww was crowned Startup of the Year, outshining formidable contenders including Meesho, Porter, and Skyroot. The award recognizes Groww’s robust growth, profitability, and public listing success, underscoring its rise in India's competitive fintech landscape alongside longtime rival Zerodha.
- Groww wins Startup of the Year for execution and growth
- Fintech rivals Groww and Zerodha diverge in market share and earnings
- Dream11 quits real-money gaming, repositions as sports engagement platform
What happened
The Economic Times Startup Awards 2026 concluded with Groww being named Startup of the Year. The decision came after an intense three-hour deliberation by an 11-member jury chaired by Wipro’s Rishad Premji. Groww’s combination of rapid scale-up, profitability, and successful IPO made it the clear winner among finalists including Meesho, Porter, Skyroot, Rapido, and Sarvam. The event celebrated achievements in key categories such as Midas Touch, Bootstrap Champ, and Woman Ahead, featuring diverse startups that reflect India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
Alongside Groww’s win, other notable moments at the awards included recognition of founders and startups driving unique value across sectors. Manu Chandra of Sauce VC received the Midas Touch award, and Theranautilus was named Top Innovator. The jury also engaged in discussions about what defines a startup in 2026, debating whether publicly-listed companies like Groww still qualify as startups given their market maturity and evolving capabilities.
Why it matters
Groww’s recognition solidifies its position as a leading fintech player in India, demonstrating the potential to thrive in a challenging, regulated industry. Its successful public listing is an important milestone, showcasing investor confidence and the firm’s strong market execution. The award signals strong momentum for wealthtech innovations catering to India’s expanding retail investor base, especially as competition remains fierce with rivals like Zerodha.
The contrasting trajectories of Groww and Zerodha highlight different fintech growth strategies: Groww expanded its active client base aggressively in FY26, while Zerodha maintains leadership in revenue and profit margins. This dynamic exemplifies the nuanced nature of leadership in financial services, where customer growth and earnings power each play critical roles. Additionally, startups like Dream11 pivoting away from real-money gaming reflect industry adaptation to regulatory shifts and new market opportunities.
What to watch next
The evolving fintech competition between Groww and Zerodha merits close attention, especially as both adapt to regulatory changes impacting retail trading volumes. Groww’s expanding commodities, derivatives, and margin funding services could drive further revenue growth, while Zerodha's continued profitability may influence its long-term market strategy. Observers should monitor how these firms balance client acquisition with sustainable earnings amid a maturing retail investment ecosystem.
In the wider startup ecosystem, the jury’s optimism about companies potentially joining India’s Nifty 50 index suggests more firms may soon transition to public markets. The discussion on startup identity post-IPO will continue to be relevant for founders and investors alike. Meanwhile, innovations in other sectors recognized at the awards, such as biotech startups and social enterprises, will contribute to shaping India’s innovation agenda in the coming years.