Startup Success: 7 Powerful Wins by GeM at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 That Unleashed Innovation

The Government e Marketplace (GeM) made a powerful impact at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, showcasing how public procurement can fuel startup growth and innovation. As a key presenting partner, GeM connected with thousands of entrepreneurs, offering valuable support and visibility. Its pavilion saw a huge response, addressing over 2,500 startup queries, completing 1,000+ registrations, and hosting 1,500+ onboarding and mentoring sessions.

GeM’s panel discussions highlighted critical topics like scaling startups through state procurement and unlocking central government opportunities. CEO Ajay Bhadoo emphasized the platform’s role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat by enabling startups to access government markets. More than 70 startups exhibited at the GeM Pavilion, including 30 winners of the Start-o-nauts Challenge. Through its initiatives, GeM has driven over ₹38,500 crore in transactions for 30,000+ startups. The event reinforced GeM’s growing role as a true catalyst in India’s innovation-driven economy.

Startup Success: 7 Powerful Wins by GeM at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 That Unleashed Innovation

The vibrant energy of India’s startup ecosystem took center stage at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held recently in New Delhi. Among the key players, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) emerged as a game-changer, demonstrating how strategic government partnerships can fuel innovation and empower startups to thrive. By bridging the gap between budding entrepreneurs and government buyers, GeM reinforced its role as a catalyst for India’s journey toward self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat.

GeM: A Launchpad for Startups

As a presenting partner at the event, GeM engaged with hundreds of startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. Its pavilion became a hub of collaboration, offering startups a direct pathway to government markets—a space often seen as difficult to access. GeM’s team addressed over 2,500 queries from startups, guiding them through registration processes, product listings, and compliance requirements. Additionally, more than 1,000 startups completed registrations on the platform during the event, with many showcasing their products in dedicated catalogs.

The pavilion also spotlighted India’s advancements in cutting-edge sectors such as DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, and Gaming. For startups in these fields, GeM isn’t just a procurement portal—it’s a springboard to scale rapidly, gain real-time market insights, and secure government contracts that validate their innovations.

Insights from Panel Discussions

A major attraction was GeM’s panel discussion, which drew a packed audience. Leaders from GeM, industry experts, and government officials explored critical themes shaping India’s startup landscape:

• India’s Growth Story: Discussions emphasized the country’s potential to become a global startup leader, driven by young talent and technological advancement.
• State-Level Opportunities: Experts stressed the need to simplify procurement processes at the state level to help startups access regional government projects.
• Tech-Driven Solutions: Startups were encouraged to develop digital tools that solve public sector challenges, from healthcare to infrastructure.
• GeM’s Role: The platform’s specialized startup categories were highlighted as powerful tools to fast-track growth and visibility among government buyers.

Ajay Bhadoo, CEO of GeM, captured the spirit of the event in his keynote: “By working together, we can transform public procurement into a force that drives startup success, fosters inclusive growth, and builds a self-reliant India.”

Mentorship and Showcasing Innovation

Beyond discussions, GeM prioritized hands-on support. Over 1,500 mentoring and training sessions were conducted through its Learning Management System (LMS), offering startups personalized guidance on navigating government tenders, pricing strategies, and compliance. These sessions—both one-on-one and group-based—equipped entrepreneurs with practical skills to compete more effectively.

The pavilion also featured 70 innovative startups, including 30 winners of GeM’s ‘Start-o-nauts Challenge’. These winners, selected for their groundbreaking solutions, were provided with free startup pods to display their products—from AI-powered healthcare devices to sustainable farming tools—to government buyers and investors.

Impact and Future Vision

GeM’s efforts have already made a significant impact. To date, the platform has supported over 30,000 startups, facilitating transactions worth ₹38,500 crore. This impressive figure underscores GeM’s role in transforming public procurement into a growth engine for startups, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Startup Mahakumbh 2025 proved that GeM is more than just a marketplace—it’s a movement. By democratizing access to government contracts, fostering mentorship, and celebrating innovation, GeM is paving the way for a future where startups are integral to India’s development story. As the event concluded, one message resonated clearly: with the right support, India’s startups are ready to solve both local and global challenges—turning the vision of a self-reliant nation into reality.

In essence, GeM’s presence at the summit wasn’t just about numbers—it was about building bridges, inspiring confidence, and proving that when startups and the government collaborate, everyone wins.