The startup story no one is talking about

A sector once considered the exclusive domain of national space agencies is now witnessing globally competitive innovation from Indian startups like Skyroot Aerospace. But, the scenario was different in the late 2000s. Building a startup in India was a huge challenge. Entrepreneurs had limited access to venture capital, a complex regulatory environment and an ecosystem still finding its feet. Even companies that would later become household names faced these hurdles. 

Flipkart, for instance, began in a small Bengaluru apartment in 2007, with its founders personally packing and delivering books because customers were hesitant to shop online and investors were cautious about backing internet businesses in India. 

Less than two decades later, the landscape has transformed. India is now the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs are building solutions not only in e-commerce but also in space, defence, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. The country's entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved.