India’s startup community has been buzzing with reactions lately, ever since Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s statements sparked a wave of debate. Entrepreneurs, tech voices, and business minds have weighed in with mixed opinions. Some praised his intent, while others felt misunderstood. But amid the noise, Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt and a familiar face from Shark Tank India, offered a voice that aimed to bridge the gap.
He turned to Instagram to share his thoughts, choosing clarity over controversy. In his post, he recalled the energy of Startup Mahakumbh, where the minister had addressed the audience. Aman was there in person. He made it clear that Goyal’s speech wasn’t against founders. Instead, it carried a call to action. He wrote, “It’s not every day that the government asks founders to dream bigger. But at Startup Mahakumbh, that’s exactly what happened.”
According to Aman, Goyal wanted to push boundaries, not pull anyone back. His message was about aiming higher and thinking global. Aman added, “His point was simple: India has come far, but to lead the world, we need to aim higher.”
As someone who mentors startups regularly, Aman connected this to his own advice on Shark Tank. He often tells founders to understand their competitors. That same thinking, he said, applies to countries too. He pointed out that comparing India with other global leaders like China or the US wasn’t about showing weakness. It was about learning. It was strategy. “Benchmarking against China, the US, or anyone else isn’t weakness. It’s a smart strategy,” he emphasized.
He didn’t stop at analysis. Aman looked forward. He spoke of the sectors that matter: Artificial Intelligence, Climate tech. Mobility, Deeptech. Infrastructure. He highlighted the need for India to go beyond just fast growth. It was time to build deeper, smarter, and stronger. He said that becoming the world’s top startup hub would need more than just ambition. It would need ecosystem shifts. More patience from investors. Closer ties between policy and innovation. And a national vision that runs long-term.
“We need LLMs and innovation stacks that compete on global standards,” he wrote. That meant taking scientific risks, something the Indian startup ecosystem hasn’t always embraced. It also meant rethinking how capital flows and giving startups the space to grow without being rushed. Aman added with conviction, “Kyunki jab sapne bade hote hain, toh kadam bhi bade uthane padte hain.”
He reminded everyone that while India’s achievements are already impressive, they’re just the beginning. “So, yes, what we’ve built is incredible. But what we can build… is far greater. Let’s get to work.” His tone was both proud and hungry. He celebrated what’s been done, but pushed for more.
As the debate continues, voices like Aman shows that it’s not about sides. It’s about balance. About acknowledging what needs fixing without forgetting how far we’ve come. The direction is clear: dream bigger, build better, and do it together.