STARTUP

Startup India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, intended to catalyse startup culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Launched on 16th January, 2016, the Startup India Initiative has rolled out several programs with the objective of supporting entrepreneurs, building a robust startup ecosystem and transforming India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers. These programs are managed by a dedicated Startup India Team, which reports to The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) through the Startup India initiative has executed various projects and undertaken recurring models to propel the Indian Startup Ecosystem.

Benefits Provided under Startup India

• Simple process: The government of India has launched a mobile app for easy registration for startups. Anyone interested in setting up a startup can fill up a simple form on the website and upload certain documents. The entire process is completely online.
• Reduction in cost: The government also provides lists of facilitators of patents and trademarks. They will provide high-quality Intellectual Property Right Services including fast examination of patents at lower fees. The government will bear all facilitator fees and the startup will bear only the statutory fees. They will enjoy 80% reduction in the cost of filing patents.
• Easy access to Funds: A 10,000 crore rupees fund is set-up by government to provide funds to the startups as venture capital.  The government is also giving guarantee to the lenders to encourage banks and other financial institutions for providing venture capital.
• Tax holiday for 3 Years: Startups will be exempted from income tax for 3 years provided they get a certification from Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB).
• Apply for tenders: Startups can apply for government tenders. They are exempted from the “prior experience/turnover” criteria applicable for normal companies answering to government tenders.
• R & D facilities : Seven new Research Parks will be set up to provide facilities to startups in the R&D sector.
• No time-consuming compliances: Various compliances have been simplified for startups to save time and money. Startups shall be allowed to self-certify compliance (through the Startup mobile app) with 9 labour and 3 environment laws.
• Tax saving for investors: People investing their capital gains in the venture funds setup by the government will get exemption from capital gains. This will help startups to attract more investors.
• Choose your investor: After this plan, the startups will have an option to choose between the VCs, giving them the liberty to choose their investors.
• Easy exit:  In case of exit – A startup can close its business within 90 days from the date of application of winding up.