Factual
NSE chief backs startups to drive India’s next wave of growth
MUMBAI: When the bell rings at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), it doesn’t just mark the opening of trade, it signals the heartbeat of India’s entrepreneurial dreams. And on Friday, those dreams took centre stage as Ideabaaz, the country’s first integrated startup-investor marketplace, debuted at NSE.
NSE, MD & CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan used the occasion to underline how the bourse has become both the launchpad and the lighthouse for Indian enterprise. “NSE has always been a catalyst in India’s growth journey. By hosting the launch of Ideabaaz, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of the country. We look forward to the day when many startups born on this platform will stand here, ringing the bell as listed companies,” Chauhan said.
For the man who oversees India’s largest fintech, the NSE, the world’s first automated screen-based trading system, statistics tell the story. Today, NSE boasts access to 12 crore unique investors holding 23.5 crore accounts, covering 99.85 per cent of India’s market. Over 2,800 companies are listed on the exchange, whose market capitalisation has swelled 125 times in 30 years to Rs 460 lakh crore (5.2 trillion dollars). That makes India the fourth-largest economy and capital market globally.
And the IPO bells are clanging louder than ever. NSE led the world in listings last year with 268 IPOs in 2024, raising Rs 1.67 lakh crore (19.5 billion dollars). Chauhan framed it as proof of India’s surging “trust market,” built on the belief of its 140 crore people in the power of entrepreneurs.
“In India, the biggest achievement since independence is the trust of its people in its entrepreneurs,” he said. “That is why we also call this a trust market. To enable aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians, it is our time to turn ideas into shared prosperity.”
Drawing parallels between icons and today’s founders, he added: “Many times I say on public platforms, what is the similarity between Dhirubhai Ambani, Ratan Tata and Nandini Letharia? They were in different businesses, came from different backgrounds but they became billionaires by listing on NSE. So you must come and list on NSE. We look forward to the day when all of you, startups, come here and become billionaires.”
Chauhan also reminded the audience that India is no stranger to enterprise, with roots going back to ancient guilds and trade networks. Today, with the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, rising incomes, favourable policies, and a vast domestic market, the stage is set. “Integration is how we convert youthful energy into innovation, livelihoods and opportunities,” he said.
As Ideabaaz takes its first steps, NSE is promising to be a steady partner from the first cheque to the IPO bell. Chauhan closed with a wish for every founder: “May your ideas find the right champions, may your ventures scale with purpose, and may you return to this stage as market leaders and nation builders. NSE will stand by you today, tomorrow and at every stage of your journey.”
From startups to stalwarts, the message was clear: at NSE, every idea has the potential to make history, one bell at a time.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
