India’s startup ecosystem is moving beyond simply raising funding. Innovation, execution, profitability, resilience and the ability to build a scalable business are becoming equally important.
That is why the ET Startup Awards 2026 are worth watching, especially for new entrepreneurs who want to understand what makes a startup stand out.
The 12th edition of the Economic Times Startup Awards (ETSA) is being celebrated in Bengaluru on October 9, 2026, bringing together founders, investors and leaders from India’s startup ecosystem.
The Economic Times Startup Awards recognise promising startups, entrepreneurs and investors who are creating significant impact through innovation, growth and execution.
The awards are not limited to companies that have raised huge amounts of venture capital. Categories also recognise bootstrapped businesses, student entrepreneurs, women founders and entrepreneurs who successfully bounced back after failure.
The 2026 awards recognise startups and entrepreneurs across categories including:
The categories show that startup success can come from different paths—not only from large funding rounds.
Groww won the prestigious Startup of the Year award.
The company was recognised for its rapid growth, execution and ability to scale while maintaining profitability.
The 2026 winners also include:
The official ET Startup Awards website provides the complete winner information.
You don’t have to be a billion-dollar startup to learn from these awards.
Successful startups usually begin by solving a specific customer problem—not simply by creating another product.
ETSA’s Top Innovator category highlights how an original idea can become the foundation of a business.
The Bootstrap Champ category is particularly interesting for first-generation entrepreneurs.
It recognises businesses that have acquired customers and generated revenue without relying on external capital.
The Comeback Kid category sends an important message: a failed startup does not automatically mean a failed entrepreneur.
Sometimes the experience gained from failure becomes the foundation for the next business.
The Global Startup of the Year category highlights another important opportunity—building an Indian company that can compete in international markets.
Don’t confuse the two.
ET Startup Awards focus primarily on startups, innovation, founders and the new-age business ecosystem.
ET MSME Awards are focused specifically on India’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
A startup can also qualify as an MSME under applicable MSME classification rules, but the two award programmes are separate.
The biggest lesson from the ET Startup Awards 2026 is simple:
You don’t necessarily need massive funding to build a valuable business.
A strong problem, paying customers, disciplined execution, innovation and the ability to survive difficult periods can matter just as much.
For a new entrepreneur, the better question is not:
“How much funding can I raise?”
It is:
“What valuable problem can I solve better than others?”
The ET Startup Awards 2026 offer more than a list of winners. They provide a snapshot of the qualities increasingly valued in India’s startup ecosystem—innovation, execution, resilience, customer focus, scalability and sustainable growth.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, these are lessons worth studying long before applying for an award.
The ET Startup Awards are an annual Economic Times programme recognising outstanding startups, entrepreneurs and investors in India’s startup ecosystem.
Groww won the Startup of the Year award in 2026.
No. They are separate award programmes. ET Startup Awards focus on startups and the wider startup ecosystem, while ET MSME Awards focus specifically on MSMEs.
Yes. Bootstrap Champ is one of the ET Startup Awards categories and recognises businesses that have demonstrated customer acquisition and revenue generation without external capital.
You can check the official Economic Times Startup Awards website for categories, guidelines and winners.
BusinessZindagi covers MSMEs, startups, entrepreneurship, business opportunities, exports, government schemes and practical business strategies to help entrepreneurs make better decisions.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Award categories, eligibility requirements and other programme details can change. Readers should verify the latest information from the official Economic Times Startup Awards website before making decisions.
Last Updated: 9 October 2026
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