December 7, 2024: In a forward looking move to drive India’s new-age economy, the newly launched Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has brought together some of the nation’s most influential entrepreneurs, policymakers, and regulators in a bid to strengthen the startup ecosystem. Created by Shweta Kohli, a former Peak XV executive with over 25 years of experience in media and public policy, the SPF aims to foster collaboration between key stakeholders to craft policies that will elevate India’s standing as a global innovation hub.
The initiative has already attracted 30 of India’s leading startups, marking a significant step in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the country.
The forum is divided into two categories: founding members, who represent a group of India’s most successful startup founders, and strategic members, all committed to working closely with the government and regulators to drive effective policy change. SPF plans to limit its membership to just 100 startups during the initial phase, ensuring a focused and impactful approach to policy development.
Among the first 30 members joining the forum are industry giants like Razorpay, CRED, Pine Labs, OYO, Swiggy, Dream11, Cars24, MPL, and Practo, signaling strong demand for such a collaborative platform. These companies span various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and emerging tech, underlining the diverse challenges and opportunities that will be tackled by the forum’s specialized councils.
The SPF’s four key councils—the Fintech Policy Council (FPC), Consumer and Commerce Council (CACC), Emerging Tech & AI Council (ETAC), and New-Age Public Companies Council (NPCC)—will work closely with regulators to address sector-specific challenges, ensuring that India’s startups continue to innovate and scale globally. As part of its mission, the forum will also establish a global advisory board, comprising thought leaders who will guide the forum’s strategic direction and initiatives.
Startup Policy Forum to Empower India’s New-Age Economy
President & CEO, Startup Policy Forum (SPF), Shweta Raj Kohli expressed her excitement about the initiative, saying, “It’s a privilege to bring together a group of new-age nation-builders keen to engage in constructive collaboration with government and regulators to drive impactful policy change.”
Support from Indian government leaders has been overwhelming, with Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, praising the forum’s role in helping India’s startups become job creators and global leaders. The government’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047—India’s transformation into a developed nation—will be significantly bolstered by the collaboration fostered by SPF.
Support from Indian government leaders has been overwhelming, with Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, praising the forum’s role in helping India’s startups become job creators and global leaders. Goyal stated, “Our startups are driving transformative change by democratizing business and converting job seekers into job creators. We are glad to see many founders joining the Startup Policy Forum, which should reinforce India’s global leadership in the new-age economy. The Forum will play a pivotal role in India’s journey to become Viksit Bharat by 2047 under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”
With the Startup Policy Forum uniting some of India’s brightest entrepreneurial minds, the future of Indian innovation looks poised for even greater success on the global stage.
