Title: Giving fancy packaging to ice-creams & cookies is not start-up: Piyush Goyal
The Indian startup ecosystem has been witnessing tremendous growth in recent years, with new entrepreneurs and innovative ideas emerging every day. However, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, recently emphasized the importance of differentiating between a start-up and a mere business. At the Startup Mahakumbh 2025, Goyal stated that giving fancy packaging to ice-creams and cookies doesn’t make it a start-up. According to him, it is entrepreneurship and a business model.
Goyal’s remarks highlight the need for startups to focus on innovation and disruption rather than just fancy packaging or marketing gimmicks. He emphasized that true entrepreneurship involves creating a new business model that solves a real problem or meets a genuine need in the market. Simply putting a premium price tag on a product or service does not qualify it as a start-up.
The minister’s comments are particularly relevant in the context of India’s deep-tech space, which has seen significant growth in recent years. However, Goyal expressed concern over the fact that only 1,000 startups in India’s deep-tech space is a “disturbing situation”. He pointed out that startups in other countries, such as the US and Israel, are focused on areas like AI and 3D printing, which have the potential to revolutionize industries and transform the way we live and work.
Goyal’s remarks also serve as a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about creating a new product or service, but also about creating a sustainable business model that can scale and grow over time. Many startups focus too much on the product or service, and neglect the business side of things, which can lead to financial struggles and ultimately, failure.
The importance of a solid business model cannot be overstated. A good business model should be scalable, sustainable, and adaptable to changing market conditions. It should also be able to generate revenue and create value for customers. Without a strong business model, even the most innovative product or service can fail to achieve its full potential.
Goyal’s comments are also a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about creating a new company, but also about creating jobs and driving economic growth. Startups have the potential to create thousands of jobs, stimulate local economies, and drive innovation. However, they must be focused on creating value for customers and creating a sustainable business model.
So, what does Goyal’s message mean for startups and entrepreneurs? Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of creating a strong business model that is focused on solving real problems and creating value for customers. It is not enough to just create a new product or service, or to focus on fancy packaging or marketing gimmicks. True entrepreneurship involves creating a new business model that can scale and grow over time.
Secondly, Goyal’s message highlights the need for startups to focus on innovation and disruption, rather than just trying to replicate existing products or services. Startups should be focused on creating new solutions that can solve real problems, and on creating value for customers. They should be willing to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Finally, Goyal’s message emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable business model that can generate revenue and create value for customers. Startups should be focused on creating a business model that can scale and grow over time, rather than just trying to make a quick buck. They should be focused on creating value for customers, and on creating a sustainable business that can thrive over the long term.
In conclusion, Piyush Goyal’s remarks at Startup Mahakumbh 2025 serve as a reminder of the importance of creating a strong business model and focusing on innovation and disruption. Startups should be focused on creating value for customers, and on creating a sustainable business model that can scale and grow over time. By doing so, they can create jobs, drive economic growth, and make a meaningful impact on the world.
Source: https://x.com/moneycontrolcom/status/1907795297826378009
