Govt announces Startup MahaRathi Challenge with Rs 70 Cr prize pool

The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh 2025, an event organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), is hosting a series of competitions to promote innovation in fields such as cybersecurity, AI, robotics, biotech, and more. The prize pool for the competition will be Rs 70 crore, according to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

According to Goyal, the Startup MahaRathi Challenge is India's largest privately funded challenge. He also said that the Rs 70 crore prize money will be awarded to encourage new startups.

The competition registration, which ran from February 26 to March 12, 2025, required startups to be recognized by the DPIIT. Eligible startups needed to be in their early to growth stages and actively operating across India.

Shortlisted startups will get the chance to participate in sector-specific mentorship programmes. The top 150 startups will pitch their ideas to a Grand Jury at Startup Mahakumbh 2025. The competition will conclude with a live pitching finale during the event in New Delhi.

The winners will receive funding, mentorship, and national exposure, providing a platform to showcase their innovations to a wider audience.

The challenge covers various themes, including AI, deep tech and cybersecurity, climate tech, agri-tech, gaming and sports, fintech, and more, as listed on the official website. Participants will benefit from both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

Fiscal incentives include monetary prizes, grants, and corporate credits, while non-fiscal benefits include networking opportunities and mentorship from leading corporates, foundations, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders.