Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science & Technology, urged coastal states to foster startups in the marine sector, addressing the CSIR Startup Conclave 2025. He highlighted this area as largely untapped, with significant potential to boost India’s economy, especially given the country’s extensive coastline of over 7,500 km.
Singh pointed out that Mumbai, with its strategic coastal position, is ideal for showcasing the marine economy’s potential. He noted that nearly half of today’s startups originate from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting a positive trend in the entrepreneurial landscape. The event also saw the release of a CSIR booklet titled “Towards Viksit Bharat,” which details over 400 technologies transferred to industry and highlights more than 125 nurtured startups.
The minister praised the growth of India’s startup ecosystem, which has expanded from 350 startups in 2014 to over 125,000 today, aided by policy reforms and enhanced scientific collaboration. Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to creating an inclusive startup environment and credited CSIR labs for their role in advancing deep-tech ventures. The conclave brought together over 100 scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to foster collaboration and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies.
