Overview

• Union Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated his stance that Indian startups should prioritize deep-tech innovation, such as robotics and AI, over gig economy services like food delivery.
• Industry leaders, including Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha, defended consumer startups, citing their contributions to job creation, tax revenue, and foreign investment.
• Critics, such as Priyanka Chaturvedi and Mohandas Pai, accused Goyal of undervaluing the economic impact of consumer startups while not addressing systemic issues like funding gaps for deep-tech ventures.
• Ashneer Grover and others highlighted that consumer-focused startups can evolve into deep-tech innovators, referencing similar trajectories in China and the U.S.
• BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal supported Goyal's remarks, framing them as a call for technological self-reliance and long-term strategic growth for India's startup ecosystem.