Shri Prashanth Prakash, founding partner at Accel India and a key figure in India’s startup revolution, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his outstanding contributions to Trade and Industry. Known for backing iconic ventures like Flipkart, Swiggy, and Freshworks, he has been instrumental in shaping India’s global identity as a startup hub.
A thought leader in Karnataka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Shri Prakash also chairs the Startup Vision Group for the Government of Karnataka and helped launch landmark initiatives such as Elevate and Unnati. His work has created thousands of jobs, empowered youth-led innovation, and elevated Bengaluru’s standing as the Silicon Valley of India.
Beyond business, Shri Prakash is actively involved in philanthropy and public good, through initiatives such as ACT Grants, Sikshana Foundation, and United Way Bengaluru, addressing education, climate action, and social equity.
Speaking after receiving the award, Shri Prakash said, “This honour reflects the power of entrepreneurship and the impact of collective action. I share it with every startup founder, policymaker, and changemaker building the India of tomorrow.”
