A NEW ERA FOR START-UPS

With India approaching its centennial in 2047, it is seeing a dawn of the golden era of Indian start-ups

- By KUNAL BAHL, CO-FOUNDER OF TITAN CAPITAL & SNAPDEAL

AS INDIA MARCHES towards its centennial in 2047, we stand at the cusp of an unprecedented opportunity—one that demands we fundamentally reimagine how we fund, build, and scale startups that can shape the nation's destiny. This is not just about chasing the next billion-dollar company; it's about nurturing a generation of founders who will build enduring, profitable businesses that solve India's most pressing problems and contribute meaningfully to our economy.

Over the last decade, we've seen India's startup ecosystem grow from a handful of fledgling companies to a vibrant, global powerhouse. The emergence of 'Indicorns'—Indian startups that achieve not just scale but also profitability—marks a pivotal shift. Companies like OfBusiness, Unicommerce, and Razorpay have proven that it's possible to build sustainable, capital-efficient businesses that deliver real value. This is the dawn of the Golden Era of Indian Startups—where profitability is not an afterthought, but a core metric of success.

I truly believe that the Golden Era of Indian Startups is just beginning. Why?

• Global markets are more accessible than ever, and Indian founders, leveraging the talent density in India are building global products from day one. AI applications seamlessly transcend geographic boundaries.

• Digital rails in India—UPI, ONDC, Aadhaar, Account Aggregator—provide a unique competitive advantage that no other country can replicate.