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Surat’s Startup Supernova: 21BY72 Season 4 Illuminates India’s Entrepreneurial Galaxy

Masum Ali Published Apr 02, 2026, 02:33 PM Updated Sep 18, 2026, 05:12 AM

Surat, Gujarat, has been back in focus again for India's startup revolution as 21BY72—Bharat's Leading Startup Summit—closed its fourth season on June 15, 2025. Organized by IVY Growth Associates and co-powered by Sangini Group, and CIFDAQ as presenting sponsor, the two-day extravaganza at Avadh Utopia welcomed over 20,000 participants, including founders, investors, policymakers, and creators, under one umbrella to build tomorrow's India. The summit has established itself as an incubator for innovation, networking, and actual funding opportunities, especially for Tier-2 and Tier-3 city startups.

Summit Overview

Dates: June 14–15, 2025
Venue: Avadh Utopia, Surat (near Surat Airport)
Organizer: IVY Growth Associates
Presenting Sponsor: CIFDAQ
Co-powered by: Sangini Group

Attendees & Scale

Over 20,000 attendees from across India, including founders, investors, creators, and policymakers.
85+ startup exhibitors showcased innovations in fintech, SaaS, D2C, healthtech, AI, and more.
500+ angel investors and 100+ venture capitalists searching for the next big thing.
Last three seasons had over 24,000 participants; this year's fest is the largest one yet.

Speaker & Guest Lineup

Key speakers:

Ganeshprasad Sridharan (COO, Think School),
Dr. Vijay Kedia (Kedia Securities),
Saina Nehwal (Olympian),
Neha Dhupia (Actor),
Azhar Iqubal (CEO, Inshorts/Fenado),
Niyati Mavinkurve (Content Creator).

Government presence:

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Union Minister of Culture & Tourism),
Harsh Sanghavi (Gujarat Home Minister).

Brand creators and ambassadors: Mahavir Pratap Sharma, Arjun Vaidya, Sarthak Ahuja, Dhairya Gangwani, Unnati Bagga, Deep Shah, and several others.

Event Structure & Activities

Four simultaneous halls:

Marigold: Startups exhibition space
Orchid 1: Keynote sessions and panel discussions
Orchid 2 (Trailblazers Mine): Live pitches by startups (Shark Tank-style)
Iris: Digital marketing, branding, finance, and other masterclasses and workshops

Activity Line-up

20+ live startup pitches with offer of instant investment.
Investor & founder networking lounges for meaningful interactions and deal-making.
Creator X Founder meetups to bridge content and entrepreneurship.

Impact & Legacy

Real funding and partnerships: Previous editions have enabled live investment and long-term partnership for startups.
Empowering Tier-2 & Tier-3 entrepreneurs: The summit is a critical bridge for non-metro talent to receive access to capital, mentorship, and visibility.
A movement rather than a summit: 21BY72 has grown from a regional movement to a national platform, powering startup culture in India's heartland.

Why This Matters

21BY72 Season 4 has not only amplified Surat's reputation as a startup hub but has also showcased Bharat's underlying entrepreneurial potential. As an energetic mix of startup showcases, live pitches, masterclasses, and networking, the event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of business and innovation in India.

Sources: 21BY72 Official Website, Indian Startup News, VCCircle, BookMyShow, Founderlabs

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