Aman Gupta Backs Piyush Goyal's Remark on AI and Deep Tech: "He Trusts Us"

In the wake of the recent controversy over Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s comments at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, a new voice of support has emerged. Aman Gupta, co-founder of popular consumer electronics brand boAt, has come forward to back the minister’s remarks, especially those around AI, deep tech, and India’s global positioning in the startup ecosystem.

🔥 Goyal’s Controversial Statement at Startup Mahakumbh 2025

During his address at the national startup event held in Delhi, Minister Piyush Goyal made headlines for drawing stark comparisons between Indian and Chinese business models. His comments questioning whether India’s youth should be content with roles such as delivery personnel sparked sharp reactions across the entrepreneurial community.

One viral line—“Dukaanadari hi karni hai?”—raised eyebrows, with critics calling it dismissive of modern startup models. He questioned whether making gourmet cookies or ice cream for the elite truly qualified as innovation, suggesting that Indian startups should focus on solving deeper, more critical problems.

The backlash was swift, with responses from industry heavyweights like former BharatPe CEO Ashneer Grover and Zepto’s co-founder, who defended the value of every startup model—regardless of its industry.

It’s not every day that the government asks founders to dream bigger.

But at Startup Mahakumbh, that’s exactly what happened. I was there. I heard the full speech. Hon. Minister @PiyushGoyal Ji isn’t against founders. He believes in us.His point was simple: India has come far,… pic.twitter.com/bA4ontAz1M

— Aman Gupta (@amangupta0303) April 6, 2025

💬 Aman Gupta’s Support: "We Need Deep Focus"

Despite the backlash, Aman Gupta has expressed his complete agreement with Goyal’s core message—particularly the emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, climate tech, mobility, and deep tech infrastructure.

Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gupta said:

“Benchmarking with China, the US, or anyone else is not weakness, it’s a smart strategy. We are already the 3rd largest startup ecosystem and the fastest-growing major economy in the world. But to become No.1, we need to go deep in AI, deepfake, climate, mobility, infra. We need LLMs and innovation stacks that compete globally.”

He further emphasized the need for scientific risk-taking, higher capital access, policy-maker and founder collaborations, and a long-term national vision that supports technological leadership.

🤖 Why AI and Deep Tech Are at the Center of the Debate

Both Goyal and Gupta agree that India's startup culture, while vibrant, should not lose sight of deep innovation and scientific advancement. Goyal suggested that Indian startups need to align their goals with global challenges and futuristic technologies, such as AI, climate change, and infrastructure development.

Gupta’s backing gives weight to the argument that India must aspire beyond convenience-based businesses, pushing toward long-term, innovation-led global leadership.

📣 Industry Reactions Remain Divided

While some see Goyal's statements as a needed wake-up call for deeper innovation, others argue that every startup—whether solving elite problems or rural challenges—contributes to the economy. Critics also feel that dismissing consumer-focused businesses like delivery services or lifestyle brands undermines the job creation and user-centric innovations these startups bring.

However, Gupta’s support brings a balanced industry voice, highlighting that both mass solutions and deep-tech innovation can and should co-exist.

🧠 The Bigger Picture

As India aims to become the world's leading innovation hub, conversations like this—though polarizing—are crucial. They push the startup community to introspect, adapt, and aim higher. With entrepreneurs like Aman Gupta stepping in to advocate for a deeper tech-driven future, the message is clear: India’s startup story is just getting started—and it’s heading for depth, not just scale.