Startups are emerging as key growth engines for Viksit Bharat, with their future increasingly shaped by sustainability-driven strategies. Their long-term viability will depend on deeper integration of innovation and technology, strong social sustainability practices, and an accelerated transition towards renewable energy, positioning them as pivotal drivers of India’s sustainable economic transformation. This direction was reinforced by industry partners at Innovation 2025, organised by CII Eastern Region in Kolkata today, which brought together entrepreneurs, corporates, investors and innovators to discuss pathways for scaling India’s startup ecosystem.
At the conference, Mr S Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), emphasised the need for stronger government facilitation and greater collaboration between startups and established enterprises. He observed that talent acquisition and retention remain challenges in India’s fragmented market and underscored the importance of further improving the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) to encourage startup integration in government-linked sectors. He noted that DVC itself is increasingly adopting technology with a sharper focus on renewable energy.
Offering an industry outlook, Mr Arnab Basu, Partner and Clients & Industries Leader, PwC India, highlighted that the next phase of entrepreneurship will be defined by sustainability. He pointed out that two-thirds of global capital is now flowing toward renewables and stressed that innovation over the next five decades must prioritise cleaner air and water. He added that India’s EV value chain is strengthening but requires deeper consolidation as startups shift from incremental to exponential and global growth.
Speaking on innovation, Mr Harshavardhan Neotia, Past Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, noted that technology, including AI, should act as a key enabler to enhance efficiency. He added that compelling ideas must be paired with sincerity and sustained commitment.
Sharing his perspective, Mr Chandra Sekhar Ghosh, Past Chairman, CII Eastern Region & Chairman, Bandhan Group, underlined that innovation begins with improving people’s lives and must focus on meaningful scale for long-term sustainability.
Highlighting the eastern region’s growing strength, Mr Rohit Sarkar, Co-Chairman, CII Eastern Region Startup Subcommittee & Co-Founder, Distronix, emphasised the role of supportive state policies. He stated that Eastern India has over 11,000 DPIIT-recognised startups and noted that CII’s platforms serve as effective connectors between startups and industry partners, enabling mentorship and collaboration.
