PhysicsWallah Partners with DPIIT to Support 25,000 Early-Stage Startups Across India

PhysicsWallah’s School of Startups (PW SoS) has entered into a two-year partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to help early-stage ventures access training, mentorship, incubation, and funding support. The initiative will focus particularly on entrepreneurs in Tier-II and Tier-III cities and rural parts of India.

The partnership aims to help aspiring founders turn their ideas into viable businesses by connecting them with the resources, guidance, and infrastructure needed to develop products, attract investors, and scale their operations. The programme is expected to support 25,000 startups across the country.

Expanding Startup Support Beyond Major Cities

The collaboration seeks to make entrepreneurship support more accessible to founders outside India's major metropolitan centres. Through a combination of structured training, mentoring, prototype development, incubation, and seed funding opportunities, the initiative aims to help entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journeys.

Ateesh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary at DPIIT, said that extending startup support beyond Tier-I cities is important for building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem. He noted that the partnership would help grassroots innovators access the resources and infrastructure required to develop scalable businesses and generate employment.

Programmes for Founders at Different Stages

PW School of Startups offers several programmes designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs at different stages of growth.

Its PW UDYAMI programme combines 90 days of live online training with a year of mentorship, helping aspiring founders develop their business ideas and build the skills required to establish a startup.

The Aarambh Immersion programme is a five-day residential initiative focused on prototype development, pitching, and networking. It gives participants an opportunity to refine their ideas and connect with others in the startup ecosystem.

For businesses that have moved beyond the initial stages, the Growth Stage CEO Programme is designed to support 200 DPIIT-recognised startups through four hybrid cohorts. The programme focuses on helping founders strengthen their leadership and prepare their businesses for further growth.

PW SoS also runs a six-month DeepTech Accelerator for selected ventures working on advanced technologies.

Access to Funding and Market Opportunities

The partnership will also connect startups with opportunities to validate their products, engage with corporate partners, and secure investment.

Two initiatives, the National AI Startup Challenge and SeedX, are intended to help founders develop proof-of-concept solutions, explore corporate pilot projects, and access seed investment opportunities.

In addition, entrepreneurs may benefit from incubation facilities and seed grants offered through the StartinUP Business Incubation Centre in Uttar Pradesh. PW School of Startups is an accredited incubator under the state's StartinUP initiative.

Rounaq Mustafa, Head of PW School of Startups, said the objective is to make knowledge, mentorship, and funding more accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs across India. The partnership with DPIIT and Startup India is intended to help founders from a wider range of locations and backgrounds pursue their business ambitions.

India's Startup Ecosystem Continues to Expand

The collaboration comes as India's startup ecosystem continues to spread beyond its traditional urban centres.

DPIIT has recognised 2,50,046 startups across more than 770 districts, with 52% of these ventures based in non-metro cities. The figures highlight the growing role of smaller cities in India's entrepreneurial landscape.

Government-backed funding initiatives are also providing support to emerging businesses. Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Rs 775.67 crore had been approved for 4,194 startups through 244 incubators. Of these, 2,356 startups were based in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

In April 2026, the government also notified the Rs 10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. The initiative is designed to channel investment into startups through eligible investment funds, helping expand access to capital.

Support for DeepTech Ventures

Policy measures are also addressing the needs of research-intensive and deeptech startups, which often require longer development cycles and substantial investment before their products reach the market.

In February 2026, the government extended the recognition period for deeptech startups to 20 years and increased the permitted turnover threshold to Rs 300 crore. The changes are intended to better accommodate businesses developing advanced technologies.

Private-sector accelerator programmes are contributing to this effort as well. Google's India accelerator programme in 2026 selected 20 AI-focused startups from approximately 2,500 applicants, offering support aimed at strengthening their technology and commercialisation strategies.

Through its partnership with DPIIT, PhysicsWallah's School of Startups aims to add to these efforts by helping more entrepreneurs access the training, mentorship, infrastructure, and financial opportunities required to build sustainable businesses.