New Delhi: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has secured a place among the world’s Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars (CSS), an international list recognised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge. BPCL is the only Indian organisation selected this year, marking a notable presence in a global ranking that highlights companies actively working with startups to advance new technologies. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the ICC headquarters in Paris.
The Corporate Startup Stars Awards 2025 feature companies drawn from the Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune Global 500 lists. The recognition celebrates organisations that promote open innovation, build strong links with startup ecosystems and encourage the development of emerging technologies.
BPCL’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Sanjay Khanna welcomed the recognition, saying, “This global accolade is a testament to Bharat Petroleum’s commitment to building an open innovation ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship in the country.” He also noted that the company’s startup platform, Ankur, is contributing to “cleaner, smarter and more sustainable” energy solutions as BPCL completes 50 years.
Introduced in 2016, Ankur has supported 30 startups working across robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, industrial IoT, predictive maintenance, safety technologies and asset integrity. The organisation has also created the BPCL Ankur Fund to invest in early-stage ventures that align with its strategic direction.
ICC Secretary General John W. H. Denton AO said innovation continues to be a driving force for global economic progress, while Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge, highlighted BPCL’s strategic model for nurturing and partnering with startups. They noted that the company’s efforts are helping accelerate technology adoption in the energy sector and giving emerging companies opportunities to grow within BPCL’s ecosystem.
BI Bureau
