Celebrating the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) marked National Startup Day by unveiling the remarkable achievers of the National Startup Awards 2023. This prestigious event, organized by Startup India, showcased the resilience and ingenuity of the Indian startup ecosystem.
Out of the 84 finalists recognized for their outstanding contributions, the government honoured 20 startups across 15 diverse categories. These categories ranged from ‘Women-led innovation’ to ‘Champions of Cultural Heritage,’ highlighting the broad spectrum of sectors in which these startups operate, including agritech, fintech, insurtech, and climate tech.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal presented the award to the winning startups at the occasion and said “What was once a novelty has now become an integral part of the national mainstream,” at the startup State Ranking Awards (SRF) function in New Delhi.
Let’s meet the 20 standout startups who were celebrated at the National Startup Awards 2023.
1. Axial Aero
Sector– Defence
State– Telangana
Founders– Bala Praveen Kumar, Ramesh Krishnan
About– Axial Aero, a technology innovation company, pioneers cutting-edge aeronautical and aerospace solutions, spanning propulsion systems, simulation technologies, hybrid electric aircraft, and advanced control systems. Operating across both commercial and military domains, the company stands at the forefront of technological advancement in the aerospace industry.
Website– Link
2. Country Clay
Sector– Handicrafts
State– Delhi
Founders– Rashi Akar, Siddhant Agarwal
About– Country Clay embodies the spirit of ‘Desh ki Mitti’ in its meticulously handcrafted products. Whether it’s the ceramic range crafted from Indian clay, bathing essentials infused with natural extracts from plants, herbs, clays, and mineral pigments, or the aromatherapy line with pure floral extracts, every creation resonates with the brand’s dedication to wellness and environmental harmony.
Website– Link
3. Blackfrog Technologies
Sector-Healthtech
State– Karnataka
Founders-Mayur Shetty, Donson D Souza
About– The Karnataka-based technology startup, focuses on enhancing the efficiency of immunization supply chains. With support from BIRAC (DBT) and prominent impact investors like Venture Centre (NCL, Pune) and Social Alpha, the company has developed a patented system for precision cold-chain and vaccine traceability, particularly in the last-mile delivery of vaccines.
Website– Link
4. Atsuya Technologies
Sector– Climate Tech
State– Tamil Nadu
Founders– Rahul Ganapathy, Sridar Swamy
About– Atsuya Technologies, a prominent sustainability startup since 2017, boasts a team of US patent-winning software and hardware engineers renowned for designing and implementing IoT solutions for global giants. With a rich background spanning diverse industries and technologies, the team goes beyond best practices, introducing innovative next practices. Atsuya’s cutting-edge IoT solutions deliver a cloud-based, wireless sensor-driven monitoring system for temperature, energy, and utilities, supporting WiFi, Zigbee, and GSM networks. Tailored for sectors like dairy, retail, agriculture, fisheries, hospitality, and pharmaceuticals, the solutions prioritize preventive maintenance through advanced data analytics.
Website– Link
5. SNL Innovations
Sector– Agritech
State– Rajasthan
Founders– Sudhanshu Gupta, Dr. Liza Mittal
About– Housed within a container, this innovative solution minimizes fruit waste, converting produce into preservative-free aseptic pulp with an impressive 18-month shelf life at room temperature. InnoFarms addresses the challenges of farm fruit waste, lower farmer income, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, offering a sustainable and secure solution that benefits both farmers and consumers. Their fruit-agnostic Mini Aseptic Fruit Processing facility, easily deployable at the farm gate or within a transportable container, transforms discarded ripened fruits into pulp for use in various products, contributing to a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach to fruit processing.
Website– Link
6. Aumsat Technologies
Sector-Agritech
State– Maharashtra
Founders-Riddhish Soni
About– Leveraging satellite observation in space and diverse measurement systems on land, sea, and air, Aumsat delivers ready-to-use satellite data and analysis for applications such as water resource management, food security, disaster risk reduction, and climate change mitigation. The integrated ecosystem aids in threat management and supports public objectives, fostering innovation and contributing significantly to India’s scientific and industrial capabilities. Aumsat’s commitment to cutting-edge research, regularly updated information, and precision-driven analytics enhances opportunities for new value-added applications and services.
7. Nanosafe Solutions
Sector– Biotech
State– Delhi
Founders– Anasuya Roy, Prof. Mangala Joshi
About– Aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the startup passionately promotes indigenous cutting-edge technology solutions globally, tirelessly working to showcase the Indian innovation portfolio on the world stage. Their patented AqCure active copper technology, a result of translational research from lab-scale innovation shows their commitment to bring Indian technological prowess to the forefront.
Website– Link
8. Aum Paper Products
Sector– Sustainability
State– Karnataka
Founders– Ekta Chandan
About– Aaum Paper Products is a manufacturer that specializes in producing paper bags and packaging solutions for the E-commerce, FMCG, and Retail industries, extending services to large and medium businesses. With a manufacturing capacity of 12 million bags per month, their product range encompasses E-commerce paper mailer bags, tamper-proof food or grocery delivery bags, paper carry bags, performance-based barrier coating, and paper tapes. Equipped with the latest generation of high-speed European lines, Aaum Paper Products emphasizes efficiency and sustainability, contributing to eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Website– Link
9. Atypical Platform
Sector-HR Tech
State– Jharkhand
Founders– Vineet Saraiwala, Asmita Agrawal, Priyambada Nath, Shradha Kundra
About– Atypical Advantage, India’s largest inclusive platform, is dedicated to creating economic livelihood opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. By addressing supply and demand inefficiencies, the platform ensures a level playing field for individuals seeking opportunities, be it in the arts, freelancing, or full-time employment. With a vast talent pool exceeding 15,000 individuals with disabilities, Atypical Advantage has successfully collaborated with over 150 corporates in just two years. Their mission is clear: to generate dignified livelihood opportunities for every person with a disability.
Website– Link
10. Saif Automations Services
Sector– Robotics
State– Andhra Pradesh
Founders– Ahmed Shaikh Abdeally, Taher Calcuttawala, Aliasgar Calcuttawala
About– Saif Seas has innovated a life-saving buoy with remote control, engineered indigenously for beach safety in an impressive 11-month timeframe. With a vision to democratize robotics and automation in the marine space, their mission is focused on developing cutting-edge products that address global challenges while remaining locally relevant. Saif Seas is committed to building a safer world through technological advancements in marine safety.
Website– Link
11. Krishigati Electric Bull
Sector– Agritech
State– Maharashtra
Founders-Sonali Weljali, Tukaram Sonawane
About– Krishigati Private Limited, a prominent player in the Indian Agritech sector, pioneers innovative solutions for intercultural operations and cutting-edge technology for modern and precision farming. Committed to providing sustainable and value-added products and services, the organization aims to simplify the lives of marginal farmers. Their goal is to reduce farming expenditures by 20-60% and contribute to doubling the income of marginal farmers, aligning with the Department of Agriculture, Government of India’s initiative.
Website– Link
12. Avinya Infinity Solutions
Sector– Healthtech
State– Kerala
Founders– Arijit Majumdar, Brajgopal Chakraborty
About– Avinya Infinity Solutions is a dynamic and innovative healthcare company that is committed to revolutionizing the industry with cutting-edge technology solutions. Recognizing the challenges faced by healthcare providers, patients, and stakeholders, the company’s mission is to harness technology’s power for positive transformation, enhancing the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services. Avinya Infinity Solutions stands as a dedicated force in driving advancements for the betterment of healthcare.
Website– Link
13. Jiva Business Ventures
Sector-Insurtech
State– Telangana
Founders– Nandagopal Pothula, Abhijit Pothula, Kiranreddy Kumar Dhanireddy
About– The insurtech platform serves as a dynamic product configurator, providing affordable and client-specific customization for any insurance policy. This innovative approach enhances flexibility and tailors insurance solutions to individual client needs, making insurance more accessible and personalized. The platform stands as a game-changer in the insurtech industry, emphasizing user-centric and cost-effective insurance solutions.
Website– Link
14. Canectar Foods
Sector– Foodtech
State– Maharashtra
Founders– Kirty Datar, Milind Datar
About– CaneBOT has been on the journey to reinvigorate India’s sugarcane juice culture and has sold over 28 lakh glasses of the beverage. Their cutting-edge, patented food-robotics solution, embodied in an autonomous smart kiosk, guarantees the 24×7 availability of fresh and hygienic sugarcane juice at convenient locations. Positioned for heightened market adoption post-COVID, the contactless and all-digital solution aspires to elevate sugarcane juice into a lifestyle beverage. Acknowledged for frugal innovation, CaneBOT stands incubated with prestigious institutions like NSRCEL, IIM-Bangalore, AIM Catalysts under Niti Ayog, Venture Center, and associated with SINE-IITBombay. Noteworthy accolades include being a finalist on Shark Tank India – Season 1 and receiving government grants for its impactful tech innovation
Website– Link
15. VVP Healthcare Evolution
Sector– Healthtech
State– Maharashtra
Founders– Pankaj Sindhu, Pankaj Agrawal
About– WONDRx, a vertical under VVP Healthcare Evolution Private Limited, spearheads innovation in the Health-Tech ecosystem from its base in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. With a focus on integrating fragmented Healthtech ecosystems in India and similar developing economies, WONDRx introduces the Smart Rx Kit.
This futuristic solution for doctors, healthcare providers, and patients facilitates the digitization of medical records into Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR), fostering a connected and efficient healthcare world. WONDRx stands out by reinventing the EMR system with its Smart Rx Kit, ensuring seamless integration without altering existing working habits, and is dedicated to creating positive changes in the healthcare ecosystem through technology and innovation.
Website– Link
16. Vividminds Technologies
Sector-Deeptech
State– Telangana
Founders– Gautam Nimmagadda
About– Quixy stands out as a user-friendly cloud-based digital transformation platform, revolutionizing how businesses operate. It enables users without coding skills to swiftly build enterprise-grade applications, boosting efficiency and productivity. The platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop design approach accelerates application development tenfold compared to traditional methods. With features like an integrated cloud database, visual application builder, and enterprise-grade security, Quixy ensures a comprehensive solution for businesses aiming for streamlined and agile processes.
Website– Link
17. Eeki Automation
Sector– Agritech
State– Rajasthan
Founders– Abhay Singh, Amit Kumar
About– Eeki Foods envisions a world where pesticide-free vegetables are accessible and affordable for all. Their patented growing chambers create an ideal environment for plant growth, eliminating the need for growing media. This innovative approach allows Eeki Foods to cultivate delicious and nutritious pesticide-free vegetables at Indian market prices. The company is actively scaling up, and establishing large-scale, climate-proof farms across the country to realize its vision.
Website– Link
18. Breathe Applied Sciences
Sector– Climate Tech
State– Karnataka
Founders– Sebastian C. Peter, Umesh V. Waghmare, Rakshith Raghavan Belur
About– BreatheSciences, headquartered in Bengaluru, emerges as a globally recognized startup with groundbreaking technology that effectively transforms carbon dioxide emissions into valuable methanol. Notably, the team is the sole representative from India to advance to the finals of the $20-million global challenge, NRGCosiaCarbonXPrize. Their innovative approach positions BreatheSciences as a key player in addressing environmental concerns with advanced and impactful solutions.
Website– Link
19. Greenviro Global
Sector– Climate Tech
State– Tamil Nadu
Founders– Muruganandam VN
About– Facing annual deforestation of 28 million hectares, primarily for heating, cooking, and small industries, the world lacks innovative choices for responsible consumption. Greenviro addresses this issue by deploying underprivileged youth for waste collection and aggregation, empowering women for value processing. Their model transforms agro-waste into an alternate green fuel (charcoal), preventing massive deforestation, and air, land, and water pollution. Greenviro’s approach not only combats environmental challenges but also empowers marginalized communities across the entire value chain.
Website– Link
20. Autocracy Machinery
Sector– Agritech
State– Telangana
Founders-Santoshi Buddhiraju, Laxman Vallakati, Brahma N Reddy Vanga
About– Autocracy Machinery stands as India’s premier manufacturer of specialized construction, agricultural, and infrastructure machinery and attachments. Focused on delivering real impact, their machines offer customized solutions for safety, speed, and efficiency in diverse projects, including major trenching endeavours for cable laying, drainage, and irrigation. Collaborating with construction firms, contractors, farmers, and individuals, Autocracy Machinery provides tailored machines and attachments, leveraging an in-house research and development team to pioneer cutting-edge products.
Website– Link