New Delhi is set to host one of the year’s most anticipated startup ecosystem events as Ideabaaz Startup Fest 2026 takes over Bharat Mandapam from August 26–30, 2026. The five-day festival promises to bring together over 300 curated startups and more than 150 Indian and global investors under one roof, creating what organisers describe as a comprehensive platform for startup discovery, funding, mentorship, and recognition .

India’s artificial intelligence startup ecosystem raised **$725 million across 113 deals** between January and May 2026, a modest 10.4 percent decline from the $809 million raised in the same period last year . While the headline number dipped, the underlying data reveals a strategic rebalancing toward early-stage innovation—a sign of a maturing ecosystem shifting its focus from chasing growth-stage unicorns to building the next generation of foundational AI companies.