The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the world's largest accounting body, inaugurated the StartUp Sphere 2024 on 27th June 2024, at the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organization (KTPO) in Bengaluru. This inclusive program has been designed to unite the vibrant startup community, influential partners, esteemed unicorns, thought-leading influencers, pioneering founders, astute investors, dynamic leaders and ambitious entrepreneurs for in-depth discussions on various aspects of the startup landscape.

The event witnessed the presence of founders/CFOs/senior management from 15 unicorns including Zetwerk, Open technologies, CRED, CoinDCX, Swiggy, Cardekho, Myntra, Perfios, Leadsquared, Zepto and many more. The fireside chat by Mr. Vijay Vikram Singh, the voice of BIGBOSS to CA. Aman Gupta, Co-Founder and CMO, boAt Lifestyle was a great attraction for the participants on the first day of the event.

The event attracted potential investors while keeping participants informed about the latest trends and innovations in the dynamic startup ecosystem. There were sessions on fundraising, pathways to become a unicorn, and how to become an angel investor or venture capitalist and digital marketing for startup growth and opportunities in Web 3.0.

The event was inaugurated by CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, Vice-President, ICAI; CA. Aniket Sunil Talati, Immediate Past President, ICAI; in presence of CA. Debashis Mitra, Past President, ICAI, CA. Dheeraj Kumar Khandelwal, Chairman, Committee on MSME & Startup, CA. (Dr.) Raj Chawla, Vice Chairman, Committee on MSME & Startup, Adv. Vijay Kumar Jhalani, Government Nominee, Central Council Members and Regional Council Members of ICAI.

During the event, CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President, ICAI, said, “ICAI's pivotal role in nurturing India's startup ecosystem and MSMEs through StartUp Sphere 2024 underscores our commitment to driving transformative impact across India's economic landscape. Startups are the heartthrob of our modern economy. They bring to life new ideas, disrupt traditional markets, and provide solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face today. Their contribution to the economy is monumental. Our initiatives are designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. We provide mentorship, facilitate access to capital, and offer training programs to equip startups with the necessary skills and knowledge.”

Addressing the session, CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, Vice-President, ICAI said, “ICAI has been instrumental in shaping India's financial landscape since its inception, fostering growth and success across sectors. The theme of StartUp Sphere 2024, 'Startup Synergies: Collaborate, Create, Conquer,' underscores the essence of collaboration and innovation essential for entrepreneurial triumph. With our legacy of setting global standards and equipping startups with cutting-edge tools, ICAI continues to champion professional excellence and contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event also features an exclusive workshop on unlocking the potential of the US market in overseas outsourcing services, enabling Indian Chartered Accountants to expand their service offerings.”

While addressing the inaugural ceremony, CA. Dheeraj Kumar Khandelwal, Chairman, Committee on MSME & Startup Committee stated, “StartUp Sphere 2024 highlights the indispensable contribution of CAs in crucial tasks such as tax compliance, valuation, IPO journeys, and audits, essential for the success of startups, including unicorns. The overwhelming participation of 100+ startups, 60+ pitching sessions to investors, and 70+ angel investors, alongside more than 15 unicorns, underscores the profound impact CAs have in shaping our nation's entrepreneurial landscape. The event also features a campus placement program with 15 companies offering 300 vacancies, providing significant opportunities for the young CAs. StartUp Sphere 2024 stands as a testament to the pivotal role of CAs in fostering India's entrepreneurial spirit and driving economic growth through innovation and strategic partnerships."

Promoting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, ICAI MSME and Startup Yatra were also inaugurated. The Yatra bus will travel to 100 cities in 100 days, showcasing the diverse endeavours of the MSME and startup ecosystems. With a dedicated focus on the ‘Financial & Tax Literacy Drive’ the Yatra aims to enhance financial and tax literacy and build capacity among MSMEs and startups. Additionally, the event will host panel discussions on critical topics, including thriving in the government ecosystem for startups, nurturing the startup ecosystem for Bharat 2.0, and cultivating astonishing success.

StartUp Sphere 2024 stands as a testament to ICAI’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India. By convening the brightest minds and influential players in the startup ecosystem, ICAI creates an environment that fosters collaboration, nurtures ideas, and accelerates the growth of startups nationwide. Positioned as a cornerstone for future advancements in the startup landscape, the event significantly contributes to India's economic and technological progress. Supported by Startup India, Startup Karnataka, MeitY Startup Hub, STPI (Software Technology Park of India), and I-Hub, StartUp Sphere provides a unique platform for startups to connect with peers, industry experts, and potential investors, while exploring the latest trends and innovations.