India's startup ecosystem has experienced a significant surge, with funding increasing 15-fold since 2015. This growth has positioned many young firms at the forefront of innovation, particularly in sectors like space technology.
The rapid expansion has revealed significant challenges in governance structures, which are struggling to keep pace with the swift scaling of these companies. Recent developments have highlighted the vulnerabilities within this sector, as seen in the case of Byju Raveendran, founder of the ed-tech giant Byju's. Raveendran recently stated that the company is now "worth zero," reflecting the difficulties faced by some of India's most prominent startups. This situation emphasizes the need for a more sustainable approach to growth, as the focus on scaling may be overshadowing essential governance and operational stability.