‘Need to focus on semiconductor & AI’: Piyush Goyal gives a reality check to Indian startups

While speaking at the Startup Mahakumbh 2025 in New Delhi, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, “We have the world's largest STEM graduates coming out of India year on year. What are India startups doing today? We are focused on food delivery apps, turning unemployed youth into cheap labor so the rich can get their meals without moving out of their house?” He added that India's startup ecosystem needs to focus more on the tech sector like semiconductor, machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). “When I go all over the country, I spot startups presenting to us what work they're doing – fancy ice creams and cookies. In fact, I know at least three or four billionaires whose children make one brand or the other of fancy ice creams and cookies and run a very successful business. I have no complaints, but, is that the destiny of India?” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ad-lite experience, exclusive content, special privileges & more – Subscribe to ThePrint for Special benefits: https://theprint.in/subscribe/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with ThePrint » Subscribe to ThePrint: https://theprint.in/subscribe/ » Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3nCMpht » Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprintindia » Tweet us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theprintindia » Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprintindia » Find us on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/theprint » Subscribe to ThePrint on Telegram: https://t.me/ThePrintIndia » Find us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2NMVlnB » Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pEOta8