G20's Recognition of Startup20

Under India's G20 presidency in 2023, a significant change occurred with the formal recognition of Startup20 as an official Engagement Group of the G20. This addition marked a pivotal shift in the G20's structure, providing a distinct platform for start-ups and early-stage ventures, separate from the existing Business 20 (B20) group, which represents larger corporations.

Historical Progression

• 2015: The SME and Entrepreneurship Task Force was organized during Turkey’s presidency.
• 2019: Formation of Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance under Japan's leadership.
• 2021: Italy launched the first G20 start-up competition, the G20 Innovation League.
• 2022: Indonesia expanded this into the G20 Digital Innovation Network.
• 2023: India's presidency formalized Startup20, capitalizing on its burgeoning start-up ecosystem.

These initiatives highlight the increasing recognition of start-ups and SMEs as vital to global growth.

Objective and Achievements of Startup20

• • The primary aim of Startup20 is to harmonize the global startup ecosystem while maintaining national diversity and autonomy. 
  • Under Brazil's presidency in 2024, the forum reinforced its domestic start-up ecosystem and advanced global policy priorities.
  • Creation of a structured process for policy recommendations.
  • Identification of gaps in translating recommendations into national policies and ensuring continuity.
  • Proposal of an international secretariat for better coordination.

Policy Recommendations and Goals

• India's Vision (2030): Increase G20 nations' investment in the global start-up ecosystem to $1 trillion.
• Develop a global start-up definition and governance standards.
• Create access to global capital, talent, and markets.
• Enhance inclusion by supporting underrepresented groups.
• Focus on start-ups aligned with global priorities like the SDGs.

Brazil's Contributions and New Themes

• Standardization of investment information and leveraging tokenization.
• Emphasis on environmental sustainability and renewable energy start-ups.
• Focus on education, capacity building, and corporate governance.
• Creation of a task force on regulation and public policy for ethical innovation.

South Africa's Presidency and New Initiatives

In 2025, South Africa's leadership introduced several firsts:

• Focused policy attention on townships and rural areas.
• Encouragement of private-sector leadership for national representation.
• Development of mechanisms for implementing policy recommendations.

The Importance of Startup20

Startup20 serves as a unique platform where G20 nations can collectively address the needs of start-up and SME ecosystems, ensuring their agility is recognized alongside the influence of larger corporations and governments.