Apply for the National Startup Awards 2025 where innovation meets real recognition.
July 15, 2025 | Team Brydgework
India’s entrepreneurial revolution is getting another major boost as the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA) 2025 officially opens for applications. Spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this flagship initiative is part of the larger Startup India movement launched in 2016.
With over 1.75 lakh DPIIT-recognized startups across nearly every district in India, the ecosystem has rapidly evolved, empowering youth, women, students, and first-time founders, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The NSA 2025 continues this momentum by spotlighting ventures that go beyond commercial success and contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a $5 trillion economy.
Since its inception in 2019, the National Startup Awards have become a prestigious recognition platform, celebrating startups that drive sustainability, social impact, and scalability. The most recent edition attracted over 2,300 applications, showcasing the awards’ increasing credibility and relevance in India’s innovation landscape.
In contrast to conventional awards that tend to prioritize financial performance, the National Startup Awards (NSA) adopt a far more holistic framework. To begin with, they go beyond mere profitability by assessing how startups actively align with broader national development objectives. Furthermore, NSA places significant importance on how these ventures confront urgent societal and environmental issues. As a result, the awards underscore not just innovation for profit, but innovation for purpose and impact.
Startups applying for the National Startup Awards 2025 undergo a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. It starts with eligibility screening, followed by sectoral shortlisting, and ends with an in-depth review by expert panels consisting of
Each panel is designed to ensure fairness, sectoral expertise, and alignment with national priorities. This collaborative approach, bringing in concerned ministries and domain-specific departments, makes NSA unique in its comprehensiveness and impact.
The National Startup Awards 2025, building on the momentum of previous editions, continues to cover a broad and diverse spectrum of sectors. Not only does it include traditional industries like agriculture, education, and healthcare, but it also embraces emerging domains such as deep tech, fintech, renewable energy, and space technology. Furthermore, by recognizing innovation across both urban and rural contexts, the awards aim to ensure inclusivity and nationwide relevance. As a result, the NSA 2025 reflects the evolving landscape of Indian entrepreneurship, where disruptive solutions are transforming lives across every corner of the country.”
What sets this edition apart is its adaptability to evolving market and societal challenges. New categories are added each year to reflect emerging opportunities and disruptive trends.
Winning the National Startup Award is not just ceremonial. It’s transformational. Here’s what past winners have gained:
For example:
Innaumation Medical Devices, recognized for innovations in voice prosthesis, later gained international exposure through the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge.
Micob, post-recognition, engaged with the president with the Startups initiative and secured defense contracts via iDEX.
Blackfrog Technologies’ Emvolio, a WHO-certified vaccine carrier, is now in use across 16 Indian states and countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Fiji.
These inspiring success stories, time and again, demonstrate that recognition from the National Startup Awards can be a true game-changer. Not only does it validate a startup’s innovation and impact on a national scale, but it also opens doors to global visibility, partnerships, and growth opportunities. Moreover, the credibility that comes with NSA recognition often acts as a catalyst accelerating investor confidence, enhancing brand reputation, and expanding market reach. Ultimately, it empowers startups to scale their solutions far beyond borders, amplifying their contribution to both India’s development and the global innovation ecosystem.
Applications are now open! Startups across India can apply directly through the official link: https://rb.gy/3bg0yf.
We encourage all innovative ventures to come forward and showcase how they’re driving a self-reliant, inclusive, and forward-looking India.
As India marches towards becoming a developed and innovation-driven economy, platforms like the National Startup Awards are vital. They not only celebrate today’s changemakers but also inspire tomorrow’s innovators. NSA 2025 stands as a beacon for startups that blend purpose with performance and local impact with global aspirations.
Whether you’re a startup founder, investor, policymaker, or simply passionate about India’s growth story, NSA 2025 is a movement worth engaging with.
“Startups are the engines of exponential growth and are positioned to be critical engines for the transformation of India.” — Narendra Modi
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