Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal’s jibe on the Indian Startup ecosystem has led to an online protest. Several recognized startup faces defended the startup ecosystem and slammed the minister. Let’s unfold what the Minister remarks, and how startup leaders are responding.
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Piyush Goyal: “Dukandari hi karna hai?”.
Piyush Goyal, an Indian politician serving as Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, raised questions on the Indian Startup ecosystem while speaking at Startup Mahakumbh 2025. His remark has sparked anger among innovative startup leaders, which led them to slam the Minister.
While talking at the Startup Mahakumbh event, Piyush Goyal explained the Indian startup ecosystem. He said, “Indian startups are focused on food delivery apps, turning unemployed youths into cheap labour so that the rich can get their meals without moving out of their house.”
He said, comparing with Chinese startups, “While Chinese startups are focused on electric vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Battery Technology, and so on.”
“Do we have to make ice cream or chips? Dukandari ka hi kaam karna hai hame? (Do we have to sell groceries only?) or antarashtriye astar per bharat ko sambodhit karna hai? (Or introduce India internationally through our startup ecosystem?), “Piyush Goyal asks during speech.
Recognized Faces Criticized The Minister.
Due to Piyush Goyal’s remark, startup leaders have become angry and have started an online protest, slamming Piyush Goyal. Several recognized names listed below served a critical perspective to the Union Minister.
Ashneer Grover: “China also had food delivery first”.
Ashneer Grover, former BharatPe founder, took to the social media platform X to slam Piyush Goyal’s remark. He comments that only politicians need a “reality check”; all else is the live reality of India. It is unworthy to compare India with China.
“The only people in India who need a ‘reality check’ are it’s politicians. Everyone else is living in the absolute reality of India, “Ashneer wrote, exposing politicians.
“China also had food delivery first and then evolved to deep tech. It’s great to aspire for what they’ve done – maybe time for politicians to aspire for a 10%+ economic growth rate for 20 years flat before chiding today’s job creators, “Ashneer Grover wrote, taking a jibe.
“Thanks Minister sir for starting this healthy debate, “He added.
Anupam Mittal’s take on the Minister’s remark.
Shadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal shared his instant reaction to the Minister’s statement. Anupa Mittal contradicted the minister’s statement, as India is ready to take on the world but capital & ECO System are lacking.
“In the last few months I have met a few deep-tech cos that have absolutely blown me away. From AI & space-tech to material science, Indian entrepreneurs are ready to take on the world. But capital & the eco-system for growth & commercialization are severely lacking. Founders can do most things but not EVERYTHING, “Anupam Mittal wrote on X.
Mohandas Pai: Most Critical Perspective.
Mohandas Pai, a former CFO of Infosys and a well-known investor, gave a bold perspective. He said it’s unfair and unhelpful to compare India with China. He exposed the government policies slowing down deep tech in India.
He wrote on X, “These are bad comparisons. India has startups in all those areas too but they are small. Minister @PiyushGoyal should not belittle our startups but ask himself what has he done as our Minister to help deep tech start-ups grow in India?”
He even dragged India’s financial minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, and accused her of harassing start-ups.
“We have a hostile @FinMinIndia @nsitharaman who harassed start ups on Angel tax for many years, do not allow endowments to invest, insurance cos still do not invest whereas they do globally. @RBI regularly harasses overseas investors on remittances and AIFs, treat them badly, cos FE rules. China invested 845 billion dollars from 2014 to 2024. India only 160 billion dollars! Why is Minister @PiyushGoyal @AshwiniVaishnaw not helping solve these issues?, “He added.
Zepto Founder Aadit Palicha: “Miracle in Indian Innovation”.
Zepto founder Aadit Palicha responds to Peyush Goyal in his tone. He writes on X, “It is easy to criticise consumer internet startups in India, especially when you compare them to the deep technical excellence being built in US/China.”
“Using our example, the reality is this: there are almost 1.5 Lakh real people who are earning livelihoods on Zepto today – a company that did not exist 3.5 years ago. ₹1,000+ Crores of tax contribution to the government per year, over a billion dollars of FDI brought into the country, and hundreds of crores invested in organizing India’s backend supply chains (especially for fresh fruits and vegetables), “He adds.
“If that isn’t a miracle in Indian innovation, I honestly don’t know what is, “He emphasizes.
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