The ET Startup Awards 2026 special

On Monday, the Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) 2026 ceremony took place in Bengaluru, bringing together over 300 leaders from various startup and technology sectors. ETSA is India’s most prestigious awards for entrepreneurship, and this year’s event took place alongside the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech sectors. The event also saw many startups tapping into the public markets and pursuing global ambitions.

The star-studded ceremony was graced by Union minister Piyush Goyal, who emphasized the growing influence of India’s tech ecosystem and its role in US-India trade relations. The minister also highlighted the growing number of significant startups in the deep tech sector, though he noted that the journey was only beginning.

The winners of the ET Startup Awards 2026 include Groww, named ET Startup of the Year, alongside a list of other notable companies such as Urban Company, Lenskart, Razorpay, Zomato, Zerodha, Delhivery, Swiggy, OfBusiness, Freshworks, Oyo Hotels & Homes, and Ola. The event also recognized several other individuals and startups for their achievements, including Manu Chandra, founder and managing partner at consumer investment firm Sauce VC, and Pallavi Mohadikar, cofounder and chief executive of Palmonas.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared his insights on various topics, including the impact of H-1B curbs on the Indian economy and India-US relations. He expressed his belief that not getting more H-1B visas is beneficial for India, as it allows the country to benefit from the talents of Indian origin billionaires already living in the US. Goyal also discussed India-US relations and foreign investment, highlighting the growing significance of the relationship between the two countries.