By Ankit Modi
January 16 is celebrated every year in India as National Startup Day. It is a day which recognises the role of startups in developing India’s economy. As India will have been on its startup journey for ten years in 2026, this is an important milestone in Indian startups and the role of startups within India.
In 10 years, startups will have transitioned into multiple industries; however, a significant area where startups are having an impact on India is within the product-based sector, and more specifically, manufacturing. Since 2016, a majority of Indian startups have focused on creating technology-based products and services. As of 2016, startups also began creating a large number of product-based manufacturing startups.
The goal of product-based manufacturing startups is to create physical products, which are designed to solve a specific issue of the market. These products will create job opportunities, as well as support the growth of new markets and businesses.
Product-based manufacturing startups will also occupy an important position within the construction and real estate sectors. They create goods that are used directly by businesses and residential customers to improve their comfort, safety and energy efficiency in construction and housing.
The Future of Manufacturing Startups: The Year 2026
The push toward self-sufficiency and local production is creating a huge opportunity for manufacturers to create products right here in India rather than relying heavily on international suppliers for raw materials to produce their products.
As the population expands rapidly due to urbanisation and a growing need for housing, there will be an ever-increasing number of modern, high-quality, energy-efficient building materials, especially in regard to the advanced types of door and window systems being produced today.
uPVC Windows and Glass Profile Manufacturing: Emerging Market
uPVC window and glass profile production is one of the fastest-growing segments of the product-based manufacturing sector, as historically wood and aluminium made up the dominant materials being used to manufacture the doors and windows segment. However, there has been a shift in consumer behaviour and awareness that has shifted demand toward uPVC products.
There are numerous benefits associated with using uPVC doors and windows:
- Extremely durable and weather resistant
- Exceptional thermal and sound insulation properties
- Very little maintenance requirement needed from the homeowner
- Long lifespan of the product
- Contemporary and clean-looking
uPVC is an excellent choice for residential apartments, commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools and more.
How Startups Can Be Successful in This Space
uPVC glass and window profile products represent a significant opportunity for startup companies:
- Increased Construction Activity
As new construction continues to increase, including new houses, new commercial buildings, and more extensive building projects, there is a strong demand for the types of window and door systems that function well. Companies that are providing exceptional quality and always providing the builder and fabricator on time are likely to develop loyal partnerships with the builder and fabricator.
- Developing Structures That Use Less Energy
A primary consideration for the design of a new building project is energy efficiency. UPVC door and window systems are both excellent thermal insulators and useful in preventing heat from transferring between a building and its outside environment. In addition, when compared to other materials such as wood or metal, uPVC will help to maintain temperature control within a building (i.e., keep it warm or cool) over a broader temperature differential than other material types. Accordingly, as long as manufacturers produce quality products that have been tested, they will be among those who benefit from the ever-increasing demand for energy-efficient (heat-insulated) products into the future.
- Increasing Flexibility Of Design Through Modular Designs
As construction techniques evolve, the flexibility of constructing buildings has improved significantly. Startups that provide modular uPVC window systems with a wide range of design options (i.e., sliding window systems, casement window systems, tilt-and-turn window systems, and fixed window systems) will be able to service the needs of a broader range of customers while minimising the complexity of their manufacturing operations.
Innovative Technologies and Manufacturing Start-Ups using New Technology
As the industry grows, new manufacturing start-up companies are increasingly adopting advanced production techniques, including automated inspection and testing, as well as using automated quality control systems and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD).
Novel designs and formats of the products are being made available by including reinforced sections, multichamber profiles and so forth, thus creating an entry point into a very competitive manufacturing environment.
Emerging Markets for uPVC Profiles
uPVC profile manufacturing start-ups can now use the manufacturing base of Tier 2 and 3 cities to take advantage of lower cost structures, skilled labour and increasing local construction demand.
It will reduce both logistics costs and shipping times if you manufacture at or close to your customers and/or your largest areas of potential growth.
Barriers to Success for Start-Up Manufacturers
While there is a tremendous opportunity for uPVC profiles, uPVC profile manufacturing start-ups must also overcome significant challenges. For example, these include:
- Significant financial requirements to set up a facility with all the equipment and technology needed to be successful.
- inconsistent quality of the profiles.
- Unpredictability of raw material pricing.
- Difficulties recruiting labour with the required skill set to work in manufacturing.
To manage and mitigate each of these obstacles, uPVC profile manufacturing start-ups can use the following strategies:
- Fit out their production facilities in stages.
- Develop strong partnerships with suppliers.
- Establish training programmes to train workers in the use of the various processes involved in manufacturing uPVC profiles.
- Develop systems to continuously improve the quality and performance of the various processes utilised in manufacturing uPVC profiles.
India’s Start-up Day 2026 emphasises the rapid development of India’s start-up ecosystem away from service-based solutions and towards building technology product companies.
Manufacturing and producing technology product companies will significantly contribute to supporting India’s infrastructure development and the realisation of sustainability goals.
Entrepreneurs within this category have an opportunity to build scalable, enduring businesses while focusing on customer experience, innovation, and quality, all of which are vital to entrepreneurs in this segment.
As demand for energy efficiency and modern buildings increases, uPVC manufacturing will be one of the pathways available to entrepreneurs for creating a positive social impact through tangible products.
Though the future of Indian startups is expected to grow within the digital space, physical products that are engineered well will have a profound effect on how people interact with one another, as well as how they work and reside.
(The above article is authored By Ankit Modi, Managing Director, Durakraft Extrusions. Views are his personal)
Last Updated on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 12:18 pm by Startup Magazine Team
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