Piyush Goyal startup row: boAT founder Aman Gupta backs Union minister, says ‘we have to purpose larger’

Union commerce and trade minister Piyush Goyal’s assertion on Indian startups stirred a debate. He questioned the development among the many startups focusing solely on “fancy ice lotions” and meals supply apps. Whereas the assertion drew criticism, a number of Indian entrepreneurs additionally got here ahead in help of Goyal. Not too long ago, boAT co-founder and Shark Tank India choose Aman Gupta additionally stepped in to help Piyush Goyal. 

“Not on a regular basis authorities asks founders to dream greater”

Gupta took to X and posted an extended message expressing solidarity with Piyush Goyal. “It isn’t each day that the federal government asks founders to dream greater,” his X put up reads. “I used to be there. I heard the total speech. Piyush Goyal is not in opposition to founders. He believes in us. His level was easy: India has come far, however to steer the world…we have to purpose larger. It jogged my memory of one thing I say usually on Shark Tank India, If you wish to construct a world-class product, you will need to know your competitors.That applies to India too. “he added. 

Additional, he additionally defined why comparision with China or the US is just not weak or flawed, however a “good technique.” His X put up reads, “Benchmarking in opposition to China, the US, or anybody else — isn’t weak point. It’s good technique. We’re already the third largest startup ecosystem on the earth and the fastest-growing main financial system. But when we need to be No.1 — We have to additionally go deep into AI, deeptech, local weather, mobility, infra. We want LLMs and innovation stacks that compete on international requirements. And to make that occur, we additionally want Scientific threat, Extra affected person capital, Founder–policymaker collaboration and a long-term nationwide imaginative and prescient. “

What did Piyush Goyal say?

Piyush Goyal, talking at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, whether or not India ought to be content material with creating apps that ship groceries or ice cream, particularly when Chinese language startups are investing in semiconductors, EVs, and AI. 

“We’re making meals/hyper supply apps; creating low cost labour so the wealthy can have a meal with out stepping out, whereas the Chinese language are engaged on AI (synthetic intelligence), EVs (electrical autos), and semiconductors. Ought to we make ice cream (supply apps) or make chips (i.e., semiconductors)? Dukaandari hello karna hai (Can we simply need to promote issues)? Goyal requested on the occasion.

He additional stated, “Are we going to be completely happy being supply girls and boys… Is that the future of India…this isn’t a startup, that is entrepreneurship… What the opposite facet is doing — robotics, machine studying, 3D manufacturing and subsequent technology factories.”