DPIIT Partners with YourStory to Empower 1 Million Entrepreneurs in Bharat

In a transformative move aimed at strengthening India’s startup landscape and democratizing access to entrepreneurial tools and knowledge, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YourStory Media Private Limited. This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem that thrives beyond metropolitan regions, reaching Tier II, Tier III, and rural geographies.

The Vision: Empowering Entrepreneurs from the Ground Up

This landmark MoU, signed in the presence of senior officials, embodies DPIIT’s broader vision of fostering inclusive entrepreneurship. At its heart is the "Bharat Project"—an initiative led by YourStory—which seeks to unlock the potential of 1 million entrepreneurs across India. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, regional storytelling, and grassroots innovation, the initiative aims to provide tangible resources and visibility to emerging founders, especially those from underserved areas.

The official signatories were Shri Rajesh Kumar, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, and Ms. Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory Media and the Bharat Project. The agreement was executed in the presence of Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, who highlighted the MoU's critical role in “building bridges to knowledge, access, and opportunity.”

Bharat Project: AI-Driven Platforms and Regional Storytelling

The partnership will support digital-first platforms tailored to regional needs, offering AI-powered tools, multilingual content, and curated venture launchpads. These platforms will function as growth accelerators for first-time founders, providing guidance on startup fundamentals, access to mentorship, and exposure to investor networks.

A unique feature of the Bharat Project is its emphasis on regional language storytelling. By spotlighting real success stories and startup journeys in local dialects, the initiative aims to inspire confidence and cultivate a robust entrepreneurial mindset among rural youth, women, and other historically underrepresented groups.

Integration with National Startup Events and Developer Platforms

As part of its implementation strategy, the collaboration will actively integrate with India's leading startup and developer-focused events. These include hackathons, demo days, innovation showcases, and community meetups. Special focus will be placed on emerging technology areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI (GenAI), blockchain, and data science—where India is rapidly emerging as a global talent hub.

These events will provide budding entrepreneurs with a stage to present their innovations, interact with investors and mentors, and gain critical insights into product-market fit and growth strategy. The partnership will also work to ensure that these opportunities are not restricted to urban innovators but permeate into the hinterlands of India.

A Catalyst for India’s Aspiration as a Global Innovation Hub

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri Sanjiv Singh remarked, “Inclusive platforms like the Bharat Project will be instrumental in ushering in the next wave of Indian entrepreneurs. By focusing on reach, relevance, and regional inclusion, this partnership will enhance India’s position as a leading global innovation economy.”

This MoU complements a series of other DPIIT-led initiatives like Startup India, MAARG (Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth), and the National Startup Awards. Together, they form a powerful ecosystem geared towards inclusive development, job creation, and innovation-led growth.

The Road Ahead

With over 100,000 DPIIT-recognized startups and growing interest from youth and aspiring innovators across the country, this partnership marks a pivotal moment. The infusion of technology, localized storytelling, and strategic mentorship is expected to not only increase entrepreneurial participation but also enhance the quality and scalability of startups emerging from Bharat.

As DPIIT and YourStory work together to operationalize the Bharat Project, the hope is to foster a startup revolution that is as inclusive as it is ambitious—powering India’s dream of becoming a true innovation-first nation.