What’s the Next Billion‑Dollar Business Opportunity in India? | Ex-CEO, NITI Aayog

In this episode, we sit down with Shri Amitabh Kant, Former CEO of NITI Aayog and the visionary behind Startup India, Incredible India, and some of India’s biggest policy reforms, along with Siddharth Sinha, his Chief of Staff during to NITI Aayog and G20, who went on to work with Google and Greenko. From building Kerala into “God’s Own Country” to scaling India from 156 startups to 1.7 lakh+ startups, Shri Amitabh Kant shares the untold stories behind Startup India, Digital India, UPI, AI, tourism, and nation building. We also discuss how Indian leadership's vision shaped Startup India, how bureaucracy actually works, why India still underperforms in tourism, and what young entrepreneurs can learn from India’s transformation journey. Along with policy, governance, and innovation, this conversation also explores Shri Amitabh Kant’s personal journey, from suspension and career setbacks to leading NITI Aayog, G20, and some of India’s biggest reforms. Key Takeaways: • How Startup India changed India’s mindset • The real story behind Incredible India • How Kerala became “God’s Own Country” • Why tourism can create millions of jobs in India • How UPI & Digital India transformed startups • What makes a great bureaucrat and leader • India’s future in AI, EVs, and green hydrogen This episode is for anyone interested in startups, business, policy, governance, AI, tourism, leadership, bureaucracy, and India’s future growth story. #AmitabhKant #StartupIndia #NITIAayog #IndianStartups #UPI #DigitalIndia #IncredibleIndia #Tourism #AI #IndianEconomy #BusinessPodcast #MastersUnion #IndiaGrowthStory Chapters: 00:00 - Startup India & India’s Growth 05:00 - Toughest Phase of Amitabh Kant’s Career 06:30 - Kerala Tourism Transformation 09:00 - Story Behind “God’s Own Country” 13:30 - How Incredible India Was Built 17:00 - Lessons From Bureaucracy & Leadership 20:00 - Why India Needs Better Tourism 24:30 - Tourism Business Opportunities in India 30:30 - Working With Prime Minister of India 33:00 - Ease of Doing Business in India 37:30 - How Startup India Changed India 42:00 - UPI, Digital India & Startups 49:00 - AI & India’s Future 54:30 - What NITI Aayog Does 59:00 - Data, Governance & District Development 1:03:00 - Young Talent in Government 1:06:00 - Green Hydrogen & EV Future 1:14:00 - India’s Future Growth Opportunities 1:20:00 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Explore our programmes: UG Programme - https://mastersunion.org/ug-technolog... PG Programme - https://mastersunion.org/pgp-technolo... Follow us on: LinkedIn -   / mastersunion   Instagram -   / masters.union   Twitter - https://x.com/themastersunion/ Facebook -   / themastersunion