Dream To Become An Entrepreneur? Check out Top 10 Government Schemes To Help Startups

Right now, India is in the midst of a startup boom, whose magnitude and scale has surpassed all previous records. Fuelled by Indian Govt.’s Startup India Standup India action plan which was unveiled in 2016, Indian entrepreneurs are right now being presented with excellent opportunities and platform to aid their growth.

As of March 30th, 2018, there are 8625 ‘officially defined’ startups in India, covering every possible niche such as health, manufacturing, IT, robotics, services, automobiles, food, grocery and more.

This year alone, around $4.2 billion of VC money has been raised for Indian startups, (till October 2018), which is 108% more than last year. And the growth seems unstoppable as of now.

NASSCOM has already declared India as the fastest growing startup ecosystem in the world and the world’s 3rd largest tech startup ecosystem (2017).

If you are a budding entrepreneur, then this is the best time to kickstart your venture and make your dream a reality. In the past few years, Govt. of India has initiated several schemes and programs, whose objective is to help startups and give more push to the ‘culture’ of entrepreneurship among Indians.

Here Are The Top 10 Government Schemes Every Entrepreneur Should Be Aware Of:

#1 Multiplier Grants Scheme (MGS) for IT Research and Development

Launched by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), MGS has been launched to ‘encourage collaborative R&D between industry and academics/ R&D institutions for development of products and packages.’

This startup scheme is valid till March 31st, 2020, and have a corpus of Rs 36 crore for Startups, incubator/academia/accelerators engaged in electronics and information technology domain. Applicable Industries: Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Hardware, Internet of Things, IT Services, Enterprise Software, Analytics. For more information, please visit here.

#2 Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS)

Launched by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and supported by Center for Development of Advanced Computing or CDAC, M-SIPS aims to ‘promote large-scale manufacturing in the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector.’

Besides infusing the startups with funds for expansion, M-SIPS will also provide subsidy up to 25% in establishing offices, research centers in SEZs, all over the nation.

Applicable Industries: IT Hardware, Medical-tech, Solar Power, Automobiles, Healthcare, Semiconductors, Processors/Electronica, LEDs, LCDs, Avionics, Industrial Electronics, Nano-Electronics, Biotech, Strategic Electronics, Telecom and more. For more information, please visit here.

#3: The Venture Capital Assistance Scheme

Launched in 2012 by Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC), this special scheme aims to assist agriculture based entrepreneurs to kickstart their agri-business.

SFAC has tied up with 42 banks, which help them to disperse interest-free loans to farmers (individuals/groups), partnership firms, self-help groups, agriculture pass out/graduates, agri-preneurs, producer groups, and companies.

Applicable Industry: Agriculture: For more information, please visit us here.

#4: Credit Guarantee

Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has launched this unique Government scheme to help assist retailers, educational institutes, self-help groups, farmers and SMEs.

Basically, the Credit Guarantee scheme has been launched to smoothen credit delivery system, as guarantee cover up to 85% is provided to the SMEs for loans up to Rs 5 lakh.

Applicable Industry: SMEs: For more information, please visit here.

#5 Raw Material Assistance

National Small Industries Corporation or NSIC has launched Raw Material Assistance scheme, which aims to assist manufacturers and MSMEs with procuring raw materials, both indigenous & imported.

As per the Government Schemes helps the manufacturer’s to focus on the quality of their products, as they can avail low-interest loans and financial help to get raw materials.

Applicable Industries: Manufacturing, MSMEs: For more information, please visit here.

#6 Infrastructure Development Scheme

National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) has launched this unique scheme to help startups establish their own offices and infrastructure.

However, only those companies which fall under the official definition of startups, as highlighted by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises can avail this grant.

Startups which are not registered with Software Technology Parks Of India Scheme can now get office space ranging from 467 sq.ft. to 8,657 sq.ft.

There is no lock-in period, and it is applicable to all industries. For more information, please visit here.

#7 MSME Market Development Assistance

Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) has launched this scheme to help SMEs and small retailers get more attention at international trade fairs and exhibitions.

Companies registered with Directorate of Industries/District Industries Centre can get up to 100% reimbursement on air-fares and cost of placing their stalls in such fairs/exhibitions, all over the world.

This scheme is not specific to any industry and applicable to SMEs, retailers, and startups. For more information, please visit here.

#8 Credit Linked Capital Subsidy for Technology Upgradation

Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) has launched this Government scheme to help manufacturers, SMEs, and agri-startups to upgrade their existing machines and technologies.

In case any SMEs registered with State Directorate of Industries have upgraded their machines, plants with state of the art technology, then they can apply for this grant, and receive funds to compensate their expenses.

Applicable Industries: Khadi, Village or Coir industry, Manufacturing, Small Scale Industry, SMEs: For more information, please visit here.

#9 Atal Incubation Centres (AIC)

Headed by Atal Innovation Mission, AIC aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Approved startups can get funding up toRs 10 crore for a maximum period of 5 years, to cover capital and operational expenses.

Industries Applicable: AI, AR/VR, Automobiles, Telecom, Healthcare, Aeronautics, Aviation, Chemicals, Nano-Tech, Pets, Animals, IT, Computers, Design, Non-Renewable Energy, Social Impact, Food and more. For more information, please visit here.

#10 Bridge Loan Against MNRE Capital Subsidy

Launched by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Bridge Loan Against MNRE Capital Subsidy aims to promote startups engaged in renewable energy ideas such as biomass power and small hydropower projects. Up to 80% of the project cost will be funded by IREDA, and the minimum funding allocated shall be Rs 20 lakh.

Applicable Industries: Renewable Energy startups and companies: For more information, please visit here.