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Startup Stars: Maharashtra Leads, Karnataka Climbs to Second on BHASKAR Charts!

Swarnadwip Nath Published Aug 17, 2025, 09:00 AM Updated Sep 16, 2026, 07:04 PM

India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is reaching new horizons, and two states are commanding center stage in the national startup story. As of June 30, 2025, Maharashtra takes pole position for startup registrations on the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) platform, closely followed by Karnataka—solidifying their reputations as the country’s top innovation powerhouses. The numbers highlight a wave of entrepreneurial optimism sweeping through the nation and mark a promising chapter for India’s knowledge-driven growth story.

What is the BHASKAR Platform?

BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) is the Government of India’s digital infrastructure that centralizes, streamlines, and supercharges connections across the vibrant startup ecosystem. Launched under the Startup India initiative, BHASKAR is more than a registry—it’s a smart, collaborative digital hub where startups, investors, government bodies, mentors, and service providers interact to propel entrepreneurial growth nationwide. The platform is currently in its pilot phase, with advanced features like unique startup IDs, personalized stakeholder experiences, and scheme integrations now being field-tested for robust, nationwide rollout.

Stat Attack: The New Startup Order

The latest data is as bold as it is inspiring:

Maharashtra leads all states with 33,845 startups registered.
Karnataka stands tall at 20,004 registrations, ranking second in India.
Uttar Pradesh claims third place with 19,382 registrations, while Delhi (18,972) and Gujarat (17,370) round out the top five.

The total count: 1,97,932 startups are now officially on the BHASKAR platform, reflecting India’s pan-national innovation surge.

Even India’s smallest regions are joining the startup revolution: Lakshadweep (5 startups), Ladakh (25), and Sikkim (22) reflect the platform’s impressive inclusivity and reach.

Why Maharashtra and Karnataka are Winning

Maharashtra’s diverse urban centers—Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur—have long been at the heart of India’s financial and tech revolution. Access to capital, a mature ecosystem of incubators, and the presence of major accelerators and angel networks are giving Maharashtra’s startups an unmatched edge.

Karnataka, with Bengaluru at its core, is often dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley of India.’ Its robust IT sector continues to attract tech founders and talent, while government policies and academic-industry collaborations, particularly through top research institutions, ensure a fertile environment for startups to flourish.

Both states benefit from targeted government support, wealthy knowledge economies, global connectivity, and access to a spectrum of business resources and mentorship opportunities.

The BHASKAR Effect

BHASKAR's value extends beyond numbers on a dashboard:

It generates unique digital IDs for each registered entity, enabling them to access government schemes seamlessly.
The platform is fostering real peer-to-peer engagements, strategic partnerships, and cross-state collaborations.
By tying in microsites and programmatic scheme delivery, it offers startups the opportunity for exposure and support previously locked behind bureaucratic red tape.

Its ongoing awareness campaigns, in collaboration with state nodal agencies, universities, and incubators, aim to onboard rural and micro-enterprises, democratizing the innovation narrative like never before.

State-wise and Country-wide Reach

India's innovation movement is pan-Indian, not confined to the metros or a handful of states. Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and even remote districts, are now visible on the BHASKAR registry—a testament to the growing inclusivity and penetration of digital entrepreneurship.

Looking Ahead: Building an Inclusive Growth Story

With the numbers growing daily, BHASKAR's pilot phase is shaping India's next decade of economic dynamism. The platform promises to do for startups what Aadhaar did for personal identity—streamline access, empower grassroots entrepreneurship, and sow the seeds for an innovation-first national economy.

Government Outreach and Collaborations

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, highlighted ongoing efforts: “Targeted outreach to small and micro-enterprises, awareness drives, partnerships with nodal agencies, workshops, and effective scheme integration—our objective is to make the startup ecosystem accessible in every corner of India”.

As state governments amplify their grassroots innovation programs and ecosystems, initiatives like BHASKAR are set to help founders fully harness India’s digital transformation. The vision: a nation where every entrepreneur, anywhere, can innovate, collaborate, and succeed on a truly national platform.

Sources: The New Indian Express, Press Information Bureau, SME Street, TICE News, Yugma, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

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