India’s startup ecosystem gained a new platform with the establishment of the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), an industry alliance designed to enhance collaboration between policymakers and prominent startups.

The SPF launched with 30 founding members, including notable names like Razorpay, Groww, Swiggy, Dream11, CRED, Curefoods, Mobikwik, Pine Labs, OYO, and Acko. The forum aims to expand its membership to 100 in the near future, according to an official release.

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, said, “Our startups are driving transformative change by democratising business and converting job seekers into job creators. The Startup Policy Forum should reinforce India’s global leadership in the new-age economy and play a pivotal role in India’s journey to become Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

The Startup Policy Forum (SPF) has been established as a dedicated platform to tackle challenges and prioritise the needs of startups. Unlike some traditional industry associations criticised for favouring Big Tech in policy debates, the SPF is positioned as a voice for emerging companies.

This initiative is particularly relevant as startups navigate issues such as data governance, competition with global platforms, and adapting to shifting regulatory landscapes.

The SPF will function through four specialised councils focusing on fintech, artificial intelligence, consumer technology, and public companies to address sector-specific concerns. It aims to collaborate with regulators on topics like data privacy, AI ethics, and policies for emerging technologies.

A team of experts has been assembled to support the forum, including AP & Partners for legal matters, Aeka Advisors for taxation, and Chase APAC as the Knowledge Secretariat. The SPF also plans to introduce an advisory board and a mentor board to guide its initiatives.

Shweta Rajpal Kohli, president and chief executive of the forum, said, “It’s a privilege to bring together a group of new-age nation-builders keen to engage in constructive collaboration with the government and regulators to drive impactful policy change.”

The initial members of SPF included Cars24, Ixigo, MPL, Yui, Ultrahuman, InvideoAI, Livspace, Progcap, Faballey Indya, Fam, PayGlocal, Bluestone, INC42, and Moglix.

Feeling overwhelmed by the markets? Let Unicorn Signals be your guide. Our user-friendly app simplifies complex data and provides actionable trading signals. Download the app today and trade with confidence!