Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 5: India’s startup sector is seeing a robust revival, with hiring up by 32% year-on-year in April 2025, reflecting a shift toward sustainable, innovation-driven growth, according to a report released on Monday by job platform foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME).
The surge is part of a broader trend in India’s white-collar job market, which grew 18% year-on-year, the report said. Startups are showing renewed hiring confidence, driven by a 22% increase in new company registrations over the past year.
“There’s a clear transformation in how startups are scaling,” said V. Suresh, CEO of foundit. “We’re no longer seeing growth restricted to traditional metro hubs. There’s strong momentum in Tier-2 cities, along with a noticeable shift toward hiring experienced talent to ensure long-term sustainability.”
IT services remain the top driver of startup hiring, now accounting for 32% of job postings, up from 23% last year. Healthcare has also seen growth, rising from 6% to 9%, pointing to increased investment in deep tech and health innovations.
Conversely, sectors like media, entertainment, and edtech are witnessing a downturn, signaling changing priorities in the startup ecosystem.
A major geographical shift is underway as well. Job shares in Tier-2 cities have jumped from 9% in April 2024 to 31% in April 2025. Cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, Indore, Lucknow, and Bhubaneswar are emerging as vibrant startup hubs, while major metros such as Bengaluru, Delhi/NCR, and Mumbai are seeing declines. Chennai and Hyderabad have remained steady in their contributions.
Startups are also placing greater value on experience. Hiring for freshers (0-3 years' experience) has declined from 53% to 41%, while demand for professionals with 4-10 years of experience has grown, now making up 43% of total startup recruitment.
“This evolution reflects a shift toward thoughtful, sustainable growth — with an emphasis on building resilient teams rather than chasing rapid expansion,” added Suresh.