FICCI–Mercedes-Benz India announce winners as DPIIT unveils ₹10,000 crore fund

L-R: Sumeet Gupta is Director, FICCI , Winner – Control Z ,Mr Sanjiv Singh Joint Secretary DPIIT Govt of India , Mr. Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director & Head of Operations, Mercedes-Benz India

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In a boost to India’s start-up ecosystem, the government has earmarked a ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups, to strengthen entrepreneurship and scale high-potential ventures.The announcement was made by Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), at the FICCI–Mercedes-Benz India Bharat Innovation & Business Ideas Challenge Programme held in New Delhi on February 13, 2026.The national initiative concluded with the selection of seven winners from a pool of 32 shortlisted finalists. Singh handed over cheques of ₹30 lakh each to the winning start-ups, and emphasised that while access to capital is critical, sustainable growth, strong governance, financial discipline and value creation are equally important in building enduring enterprises.

Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director and Head of Operations at Mercedes-Benz India, said the 32 shortlisted start-ups displayed exceptional curiosity, courage and commitment in addressing real-world challenges.

The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and entrepreneurs, highlighting the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating India’s innovation and start-up ecosystem.