Piyush Goyal launches BHASKAR

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday launched the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR), which will provide a central hub where startups, investors, service providers and government bodies can collaborate and exchange ideas.

“Let’s make this a place where you can distribute all your engagement and interaction data in one place, a place where you can serve the entire ecosystem with simple and easy-to-use links and easy navigation,” he said.

He added that it will be a single point of contact for startups looking for various services, such as mentors or finance.

Through this platform, all key stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including start-ups, investors, mentors, service providers and government bodies, can interact with each other to support the development of the sector.

The primary goal of BHASKAR is to create the world’s largest digital registry for stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.

To achieve this, the platform will offer features like networking and collaboration, providing centralized access to resources, creating personalized branding, increasing discoverability and supporting India’s global brand. BHASKAR will bridge the gap between startups, investors, mentors and other stakeholders, enabling seamless interaction across sectors.

Through this initiative, each stakeholder will be given a unique BHASKAR ID, which will enable personalized interactions and tailored experiences across the platform. Using advanced search features, users can easily locate the right resources, collaborators, and opportunities, enabling faster decision-making and action.

The government invites all stakeholders to participate in this transformational initiative as it aims to change the face of the Indian startup sector and create a more connected, efficient and collaborative environment for entrepreneurship.

Home to over 146,000 government-recognized startups, India has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic startup hubs in the world, and this initiative aims to leverage this potential by providing a comprehensive, end-to-end digital platform that addresses the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and investors. Acting as a centralized registry, BHASKAR will enable seamless access to a wide range of resources, tools, and knowledge to help propel the entrepreneurial journey from ideation to fruition.

Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the aim is to increase the number of startups to 50 lakh in the coming years.

“This platform will bring everyone (including investors and mentors) together,” Bhatia said, calling on startups to come forward and help build it.

DPIIT Secretary Sanjiv said the initiative will further strengthen the startup ecosystem in the country. By January 16 next year, all districts in India will have at least one startup, he added. Sanjiv also said the department has called upon over 100 corporates and unicorns to set up incubation centres for startups in the manufacturing sector. The department has provided companies with a handbook on corporate incubation and acceleration.