Startup Mahakumbh Day 2: High-impact pitches, major funding, and fintech breakthroughs drive momentum

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of NITI Aayog

The second day of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 continued to build on its momentum, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to accelerate India’s startup ecosystem toward global innovation and strategic collaborations. The event was marked by thought-provoking discussions, groundbreaking announcements, and high-energy networking opportunities.

The pavilions buzzed with activity as startups showcased disruptive innovations, engaged with investors, and gained strategic insights from industry veterans. Visionaries and policymakers explored emerging trends, policy shifts, and global partnerships, shaping the future of India's startup landscape.

Key Highlights from Day 2

One of the standout sessions was a plenary address by Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of NITI Aayog, where he highlighted India's transformation into a global startup powerhouse. A landmark moment in the fintech sector unfolded with the launch of the India Fintech Foundation in the presence of Amitabh Kant and NS Vishwanathan, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This initiative aims to foster a sustainable, innovative, and self-regulated fintech ecosystem in India.

An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dinesh Pai, Vice-President of Zerodha, featured industry leaders including Sachin Bansal (Chairman, Navi), Jitendra Gupta (Founder & CEO, Jupiter), Alok Bansal (Co-Founder & Executive Vice Chairman, PB Fintech), and Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Founder & CEO, Paytm). The session delved into the playbook of India’s fintech giants, offering valuable insights into the sector’s evolving dynamics.

Deep Dives into Industry-Specific Innovations

Puneet Malhotra, COO of the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund, led an insightful session on the urgent need for localizing raw material production, zero-waste manufacturing, and preserving traditional crafts. Meanwhile, Aaditya Sharda, Co-Founder of Infra.Market, shared key strategies on scaling B2B businesses in India, covering aspects of product-market fit, operational scale, and capturing untapped enterprise opportunities.

Big Announcements & Startup Funding

The day also witnessed major funding commitments. Stride Ventures, in collaboration with DPIIT, signed an MoU and committed ₹10 crore to Plastics for Change (equity/debt, subject to due diligence) as part of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge.

Additionally, an engaging fireside chat featured the founders of leading D2C brands Snitch and The Souled Store, offering insights into building customer-centric brands in the digital era.

A Touch of Glamour in the Startup Ecosystem

The event also blended business with entertainment, as boAt Co-founder Aman Gupta engaged in a fireside chat with Filmfare Award-winning content creator Bhuvan Bam. The presence of influencers like Kamiya Jani further amplified the event’s reach to a global audience.