India, Japan to launch startup showcase series to strengthen investment ties

India and Japan are exploring a joint startup showcase series modelled on the popular 'Shark Tank' format to strengthen investment flows and entrepreneurial ties between the two nations, according to India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The proposed programme would feature promising startups from both countries competing for funding and partnerships, creating a platform to highlight innovation and business opportunities across the region. Such an initiative would complement existing bilateral efforts to deepen economic cooperation in emerging sectors.

Goyal emphasised India's comprehensive advantages as an investment and business destination, noting the country offers the complete spectrum of services—from initial product design through to large-scale commercial deployment. This end-to-end capability extends beyond product testing to encompass market access for selling and scaling innovations, he said.

India's domestic market, coupled with its growing startup ecosystem and manufacturing capabilities, positions it as an attractive destination for Japanese investors and entrepreneurs seeking to develop and commercialise new technologies. The proposed series would provide both nations a platform to showcase this potential to investors and businesses across Asia.

The initiative reflects broader efforts by New Delhi and Tokyo to expand collaboration beyond traditional sectors, tapping into the growing entrepreneurial dynamism in both economies and supporting bilateral trade and investment goals.