New Delhi, India — In a landmark move to reshape India’s startup ecosystem from the grassroots, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with YourStory Media Pvt. Ltd., India’s pioneering platform for startups and innovation. The collaboration aims to empower 1 million entrepreneurs across Tier II, Tier III, and rural India, leveraging the power of technology, localized storytelling, and national visibility.
Driving Inclusive Growth Through Strategic Collaboration
Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between urban innovation and rural potential, DPIIT and YourStory have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance inclusive, equitable entrepreneurial growth across the country.
The initiative aligns with India’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Viksit Bharat@2047 (Developed India by its centenary year of independence), focusing on unlocking opportunities for those often left out of the startup narrative.
“This collaboration is not just a bureaucratic agreement; it is a strategic movement that will make the dreams of millions come alive through access, opportunity, and visibility,” the organizations stated jointly.
YourStory: Amplifying Grassroots Innovation
Founded by Shradha Sharma, YourStory has played a transformative role in India’s entrepreneurial journey, publishing over 60,000 founder stories in 12 Indian languages. The platform has facilitated funding and networking opportunities for over 50,000 entrepreneurs, reaching a monthly audience of 8 million readers.
“Democratizing storytelling and building localized digital infrastructure is essential to ensure that every entrepreneur, no matter where they are from, has access to the right support,” said Shradha Sharma, Founder & CEO of YourStory and The Bharat Project.
This extensive reach and deep grassroots connectivity position YourStory as a key catalyst in DPIIT’s mission to support regional innovation.
The Bharat Project: Powering Localized Innovation
At the heart of this collaboration is YourStory’s Bharat Project, an ambitious initiative to empower 1 million entrepreneurs across underserved regions in India. It brings together:
- AI-powered venture development tools
- Regional-language storytelling to break linguistic barriers
- Venture launchpads to provide market access and national exposure
This innovative, tech-driven, and culturally adaptive model ensures that geography, language, or background will no longer limit entrepreneurial success.
Flagship Platforms to Showcase Talent Nationwide
The MoU also opens access to YourStory’s powerful flagship events:
- TechSparks, India’s most influential startup showcase, connects founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders.
- DevSparks, a 2024-launched summit focused on developers and frontier technologies like AI, GenAI, blockchain, and data science.
- These platforms will serve as national launchpads for grassroots entrepreneurs to gain critical exposure and scale their ventures.
Leadership Perspective on a Shared Vision
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, remarked:
“Inclusive platforms like YourStory are vital for scaling the next generation of entrepreneurs. This collaboration will amplify access to networks, knowledge, and narratives, especially in underserved regions, and accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a global innovation hub.”
Echoing this vision, Shradha Sharma emphasized that making India’s startup ecosystem “more inclusive, accessible, and future-ready” is the driving force behind this partnership.
The MoU was officially signed by Shri Rajesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, and Shradha Sharma, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.
A Milestone Toward Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat
This partnership signals a milestone in India’s journey toward economic empowerment, providing structural and narrative support to entrepreneurs beyond metropolitan centers. It underscores DPIIT’s commitment to inclusive, innovation-driven growth where ideas from every village, town, and region are recognized and nurtured.
Looking Ahead: A Million Stories, One Nation
India, with its population of over 1.4 billion, is brimming with entrepreneurial potential. However, opportunities have historically remained concentrated. This collaboration between DPIIT and YourStory seeks to change that reality.
By blending public policy, digital infrastructure, and human storytelling, this mission aims to ignite a nationwide startup revolution, creating a future where success is not defined by location—but by ambition and access.
As India strides forward into its next economic era, the DPIIT–YourStory alliance promises not just a series of success stories—but a million dreams realized.
Media Contact:
YourStory Media Pvt. Ltd.
Email: press@yourstory.com
Website: www.yourstory.com
About DPIIT:
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is responsible for promoting and regulating industries and trade within India. It is at the forefront of facilitating startup development, innovation, and policy reforms.
About YourStory:
YourStory is India’s leading digital platform for startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators, with a legacy of storytelling, ecosystem building, and regional impact. Through platforms like TechSparks, DevSparks, and The Bharat Project, YourStory is committed to making India’s startup narrative truly inclusive.
