Category: Startup

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Startup

Dream11 Journey: From Fantasy Gaming Startup to IPL 2020 Title Sponsor, Here’s A Look At The Rise of The Unicorn

Dream11 (Photo Credits: Twitter)

Mumbai, August 19: Dream11, Fantasy gaming startup has bagged the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 title sponsorship rights. Dream11 won the title sponsorship rights with a bid of Rs 222 crore, replacing Vivo for a four and a half month deal.

In India, the online fantasy sports gaming has seen exponential growth over the last three years. To quote, IFSG-KPMG report, the biggest player in this category is Dream11 which commands 90 percent market share.

Here are some interesting facts about Dream11 growth journey: 

  • Dream11 was co-founded by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth in 2012. It is an India based app.
  • Dream11 is headquartered in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • In April 2019, Dream11 became the first Indian gaming company to enter the ‘Unicorn Club’.
  • In 2014, the company reported 1 million registered users, which grew to 2 million in 2016 and to 4 million in 2018.
  • Dream11 was also recognised as one of the top 10 innovative companies in India by Fast Company in 2019.
  • China-based App development organisation called Tencent Games had invested in the application in the year 2018.
  • On the Dream11 platform, the share of cricket as a sport is 85 percent, and this explains why IPL is an important platform for the brand to be in.

Here’s how the game format works:

Dream11 provides a fantasy gaming platform for multiple sports such as cricket, football, basketball, kabaddi, hockey, volleyball, and baseball, handball. Here users create a virtual team of real-life players and earn points based on the performances of these players in real matches. In order to participate in a Dream11 game, a user must be at least 18 years old and needs to get their profile verified using their PAN.

 

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Finance Startup Strategy

Narendra Modi Govt Operationlises Rs 20,000 Crore Stressed Fund to Benefit Around 2 Lakh MSMEs, Issues Guidelines for CGSSD Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package

MSMEs in India | Representational Image Only (Photo Credits: Pexels)

New Delhi, August 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government on Wednesday operationalised Rs 20,000 crore stressed fund aiming to benefit around 2 lakh MSMEs. Apart from this, the Union government has also issued guidelines for Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt (CGSSD) which was announced under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package.

According to the plan of the government, the subordinate debt that will be provided by the banks would be fully guaranteed through the Credit Guarantee Trust for Medium and Small Entrepreneurs (CGTMSE) and be counted as quasi-equity. In the subordinate debt, support of Rs 4,000 crore would be given by the government to CGTMSE. Through the CGSSD, a guarantee coverage will be provided for MSME restructuring. Under the scheme, 90 per cent guarantee will be covered by the trust, while 10 per cent will be covered by the concerned promoter.

Here’s the MSME tweet:

Who are eligible for CGSSD?

1) MSMEs whose accounts have been standard as on March 31, 2018, with regular operations — standard or NPA — through FY 2019.

2) Stressed MSME units which were SMA-2 and NPA as of April 30, 2020.

Requirements for availing sub-debt under CGSSD:

1) After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, all the promoters of the MSME units will be given credit equal to 15 per cent of stake in the company or Rs 75 lakh.

2) A separate loan account needs to be opened. All the promoters will have to infuse sub-debt or loan amount as promoter contribution.

3) As per RBI norms, all MSME loans would be linked to an external benchmark.

4) The maximum tenor for repayment will be 10 years, with a 7-year moratorium on principal payment.

5) Following the completion of the moratorium, principal amount to be repaid within 3 years. However, no additional charge will be levied in case of pre-payment of the loan.

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Startup

MSME Sector in India: Nitin Gadkari Says Government Plans to Increase MSME Exports & Jobs in the Next 5 Years

MSME
MSME (Photo Credits: Wikipedia)

New Delhi, August 17: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector plays a major role in the development of the country. He further spoke about how the government plans to increase MSMEs exports to 60 percent from 48 percent in the next 5 years. This will also be adding 5 crore jobs in the next 5 years.

“Our MSME sector has a huge contribution to the development of our country. Currently, 30 per cent income of GDP growth rate comes from MSME. 48 per cent of our exports are from MSME and till date, we have created 11 crore jobs,” Gadkari said while speaking at SWAVALAMBAN E-Summit 2020 organised by ‘Lets Endorse Development’ NGO.

Unregistered enterprises need to register, says Gadkari:

In order to get the benefit of the MSMEs, unregistered enterprises need to register themselves under the Micro industry. He urged NGOs to urge small traders and encourage them to also register.

Plan to Increase Exports, Bring Foreign Investment & Upgrade Technology: 

The MSME Minister said that the government will work for the empowerment of people from villages and make them self-reliant. Gadkari added that the plan would be to increase efforts, bring foreign investment, and upgrade technology and make India super economic power.

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Finance Process & Business Expansion Startup Strategy

5 Ideas to Rebuild Small Businesses Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Few tips that can help small entrepreneurs to rebuild their business post COVID-19 pandemic
Few tips that can help small entrepreneurs to rebuild their business post COVID-19 pandemic. | Representative image

Mumbai, August 14: With the coronavirus lockdown still persistent in the country, small businesses are the most hit. While some have pulled down their shutters completely, others are looking for strategies to rebuild and reshape their businesses. Here are a few tips that can help small entrepreneurs to rebuild their businesses:

1) Financial Damage Assessment:

Every entrepreneur needs to analyse and calculate how bad their business has been affected in the COVID-19 lockdown. The first step that one entrepreneur shall take is to update the financial statements which include profit and loss or cash flow statements. Comparison with previous year’s numbers to see the loss is certainly a good idea to begin again.

2) Reshape Business Plan:

Ideas that might have worked pre-COVID-19 era, may not work after the lockdown. So it is very important to remodel the business strategy and do some fine-tuning. Paying close attention to competitors’ plan is another idea that would certainly help in reshaping the lost business.

3) Focus on Generation of Working Capital:

When an entrepreneur takes an initiative to rebuild the business, especially after COVID-19 pandemic, focussing on the generation of working capital becomes the priority. Without this essentiality, all plans to reshape a business model will turn into a failure. Look out for options for a sustainable and suitable financial lender/s who can show some faith in you (entrepreneur). But, for that, mutual understanding and trust are required, which an entrepreneur will have to build with the lender/s.

4) Revamp Budget Account:

Calculative risks during times like COVID-19 always help in revamping budget requirements for entrepreneurs who want to rebuild their businesses. All business ideas have pros and cons, however, a clear idea of what is needed for budgeting and what can be cut from the expenditure would certainly help in achieving the goal — monetary waste. Salary cut to self and only essential hiring are some of the good ideas that have been prescribed by experts.

5) Contingency Plan for the Next Crisis:

This is perhaps the last, but the most effective way to give life to business while rebuilding it. Learn from the previous mistakes and start working on the contingency plan for the next crisis. Saving the profits by cutting down useless expenditures and adapting self to the new way of business are some ways which will keep an entrepreneur in the market for a longer period. Moreover, thinking out-of-the-box to prepare for a worst-case scenario will be fruitful.

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Startup Strategy

Startup Permissions: Here Are Some Licences And Permits Required To Start Your Own Business in India

Permit (Representational Image, Photo Credits: Picpedia)

Starting a business in India requires a set of permission and licenses for its smooth functioning. Fulfilling the legal formalities is one of the first steps which startups should never ignore. Otherwise, there may be huge penalties and other legal complications which will hamper the name and growth of the company.

Depending on your business, there are certain licenses and permissions that are required. Government agencies can fine or shut down a business that operates without a licence.

Business Licence: A legal document that grants you the right to operate a business in your city. It is a permit which indicates that the company has the approval of the government to operate.

Various Kinds of Business Registration: The various kinds of business registration in India are-Private Limited Company, One Person Company, Partnership Firm, Public Limited Company or an NGO/Trust. A business will have to get registered under any of the above type o structure.

Safety Registration/Fire Permits

Depending on the type of business you intend to operate, you may need to get an inspection and permit from the local fire department.

GST Registration:

It has now become mandatory for all businesses to get their GST registration done. It needs to be obtained within 30 days of business incorporation, otherwise, the startup will be subject to heavy penalties.

MSME Registration

MSME Registration can be obtained by micro, small and medium enterprises in India to enjoy few subsidies and benefits in terms of loans, taxation, and other schemes.

Startup India Registration

When the business comes under the definition of a startup as per the DIPP Notification, it can get its Startup India registration done. There are a few criteria for it, for e.g., it has not been more than 10 years from the date of business registration. The annual turnover of the entity for any financial year since its registration has not exceeded Rs. 100 crores.

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Startup

What is a Startup? How Do Investors Add Value To Startups? All You Need To Know

Startups | Representational Image (Photo Credits: Pexels)

India is now becoming the world’s fastest growing startup ecosystem. In order to understand a startup ecosystem, one needs to know what a startup means! A startup is a young company that is usually founded by one or more entrepreneurs to develop a new and unique product. These entrepreneurs launch a service and bring it to market for people to use and benefit out of it. Startup, as the name suggests, begins with initial funding from the founders, their friends, families, relatives, among others.

Startups are becoming very popular in India. A start-up is basically a company or project begun by an entrepreneur to seek, develop, and validate a scalable business model. Startups face high uncertainty but some of them do go on to be successful and influential and become unicorns. The startup process can take a really long period of time and can go up to years to be successful. Hence, sustaining effort is required.

Over the long term, sustaining effort is especially challenging because of the high failure rates and uncertain outcomes. One needs to understand the basic concept that an entrepreneur is an individual while startup is an entrepreneurial team, and needs to work accordingly to achieve the desired goals.

How do Investors add value to Startups?

According to Startup India Portal, which is India’s largest online entrepreneurship, the investors, particularly venture capitalists (VCs) add value to startups in a number of ways. The Startup India Portal platform allows startups to network, access free tools & resources and participate in programs & challenges.

  1. Stakeholder Management: Investors play a key role in building up the startup. They help by managing the company board and leadership to facilitate smooth operations of the newly started firm. In addition, their functional experience and domain knowledge of working and investing with startups imparts vision and direction to the company.
  2. Raising Funds: Investors are best guides for the startup to raise subsequent rounds of funding on the basis of stage, maturity, sector focus etc. and aid in networking and connection for the founders to pitch their business to other investors.
  3. Recruiting Right set of people: Sourcing high-quality and best-fit human capital is critical for startups, especially when it comes to recruiting senior executives to manage and drive business goals. The venture capitalists, with their extensive network can help bridge the talent gap by recruiting the right set of people at the right time.
  4. Proper Marketing of the Product: VCs assist with marketing strategy for your product/service.
  5. Merger and acquisition opportunities: The venture capitalists should be alert about the merger and acquisition opportunities in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem to enable greater value addition to the business through inorganic growth.
  6. Organizational Restructuring: As a young startup matures into an full-fledged established company, the venture capitalists help with the right organizational structuring and introduce processes to increase capital efficiency, lower costs and scale efficiently.

In India, the Government, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, has started and promoted Startup India initiative to recognize and promote startups. This initiate is aimed to develop Indian economy and attract talented entrepreneurs.

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Startup

Here’s What Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi Govt is Doing For Startups Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Startup
Startup (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Delhi, August 13: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, when businesses have been badly hit, it is the startups who have been affected the most. In order to give fillip, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently met industry leaders, young entrepreneurs to draft a new policy for startups. The objective is to make Delhi a leading choice for startups.

Delhi boasts of over 7000 start-ups and it is also on top of the list of cities with the most number of active start-ups, according to a report by TiE. In addition to this, the CM further highlighted that the valuation of the city’s start-ups is about $50 billion. The report published in 2019, mentioned that Delhi-NCR is set to become one of the top five global startup hubs with 12,000 start-ups, 30 unicorns, and a cumulative valuation of about $150 billion by 2025.

The Objective Behind the Draft policy For Startups:

According to the statement released by the Chief Minister’s office, the objective of the draft policy is to support entrepreneurs and help create a robust economic and policy infrastructure that will create new jobs and add competitive dynamics into the current economic system.

Takeaways of CM’s Meeting With Experts:

The prominent participants in the discussion held were Ajay Chowdhry of HCL, Rajan Anandan MD Sequoia Capital, Padmaja Ruparel of Indian Angel Network, Sriharsha Majety, co-founder and CEO, Swiggy, Suchita Salwan, founder and CEO, Little Black Book, Tarun Bhalla, founder, Avishkaar and others.

Some of the suggestions included creating industry-academic partnerships, entrepreneurship programs for young professionals in Delhi and making the national capital’s physical infrastructure more conducive for startups to work.

Here’s the 2-Step Process of Drafting the New Policy:

The drafting of the new policy for startups will be conducted in a two-step process. The first step involved consulting industry leaders, experts from various sectors to provide valuable inputs in drafting the policy.

In the second step, the draft would be put up online for the public to recommend changes and suggest new policy rules.

Arvind Kejriwal along with the industry leaders are hopeful that with the new startup policy, Delhi will surely become a preferred destination for startups. It will also fight the economic instability that has been created due to the coronavirus crisis.

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Finance Process & Business Expansion Startup Strategy

Emergency Credit Facility Under ECLGS for Small Businesses Hiked From Rs 25 Crore to Rs 50 Crore, NCGTC Modifies Operational Guidelines

MSME (Photo Credits:
Emergency Credit Facility Under ECLG for small businesses hiked from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore by NCGTC. | Representational Image.

New Delhi, August 12: The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC) on Wednesday issued a circular regarding the modification of operational guidelines for Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). The common trustee company informed that the new operational guidelines will now cover individuals and more enterprises amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Informing about the minutes of the modification of operational guidelines for ECLGS, the NCGTC stated that the upper ceiling of loans — outstanding as on February 2, 2020 — has been increased under the scheme from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore. Apart from this, there has been a hike in the upper ceiling of annual turnover from Rs 100 crore to Rs 250 crore. This has been done in line with the increased ceiling of loans outstanding and revised definition of MSME issued by Union Ministry of MSME.

Among other details, the NCGTC circular stated that there has been an increase in the maximum amount of NCGTC to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under the ECLGS. The amount limit has been raised from Rs 5 crore — at present 20 per cent of Rs 25 crore — to Rs 10 crore, which is 20 per cent of Rs 50 crore. However, it has been made clear that those individual loans given for business purposes should fulfil the eligibility criteria prescribed under the scheme.

NCGTC Circular Regarding the Modification of Operational Guidelines for ECLGS:

Earlier on May 23, 2020, the NCGTC was set up by the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Financial Services as a common trustee company to manage and operate various credit guarantee trust funds. It was incorporated under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 on March 28, 2014, with a paid-up capital of Rs 10 crore.

Under the NCGTC, five trust funds currently operate:

1) Credit Guarantee Fund for Skill Development (CGFSD
2) Credit Guarantee Fund for Education loans (CGFEL)
3) Credit Guarantee Fund for Factoring (CGFF)
4) Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU)
5) Credit Guarantee Fund for Standup India (CGFSI)

The NCGTC was launched ECLGS on May 23, 2020, for all the financial institutions of India. Among the four key points, which differs it from other schemes include — 100 per cent credit guarantee, zero guarantee fee for banks and customers, pre-approved loans and minimum bank’s risk weight allocation. However, the scheme will continue till October 31, 2020, or till the time Rs 3 lakh crore of the loan amount is sanctioned. The NCGTC has also made it clear that borrowers must be GST registered wherever it is necessary.

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Startup Strategy

Startups From Home: 5 Business Ideas to Start From Home Amid COVID-19

Startup (Representational Image Only, Photo Credits: NeedPix.com)

Mumbai, August 12: The entire world is reeling under the effect of coronavirus, from businesses being shut, factories non-operational, to employees being handed over pink slips. The pandemic has bludgeoned economies worldwide, and the smallest of businesses have felt the heat. In a scenario, when thousands have gone jobless, we take a look at five business ideas which you can start from the comfort of your own home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The best part is that these business ideas will require a minimum to no investments. So if you are wondering to start a business from home, here are a few ideas which you can consider.

Sale of Masks, Gloves, PPE

The demand for masks has skyrocketed after countries across the world said that it is an important preventive measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. In India too, all the states have imposed a strict fine in order to ensure that people are abiding by the rule. From being sold as a fashion accessory to a life-saving piece of safety equipment, there is a huge demand for selling masks.

In such a scenario, there is an opportunity, if you want to start a business dealing with the sale of masks, gloves, PPE suits or hand sanitizers.

Remote Tutor

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, when schools are shut, students are facing the problem to complete their syllabus and struggling with doubts. Here lies a great opportunity for home tutors who can continue to teach their students from home via online classes. One just needs a good internet connection to start with online teaching.

Fitness Trainer

The pandemic has taken a toll on our lives, with additional workload both at the office and at home, people are being stressed. On top of it, fitness centres at several places continue to remain closed. If you are a fitness trainer, then you can start your online classes, be it yoga, power yoga or meditation from the convenience of your home.

Cooking Classes

There has been a huge demand for online cooking classes ever since the lockdown. Your friends, family members, office colleagues have all been experimenting with different dishes and have been putting it up on social media. Amid the coronavirus induced lockdown when people are still hesitating to go to restaurants, they have been making most of the dishes on their own. From experimenting with new cuisines to trying out new ingredients, there is a huge demand among the people to learn quick and healthy dishes.

If you have a knack in cooking or an expert in this area, there is a huge opportunity for you to start with your online cooking classes.

Freelance Writing and Copyrighting

You can take up freelance writing and copyrighting projects. Initially, the payment can be low, but once you build your own portfolio of work, you can start demanding a premium for your service.

So if you want to start something on your own, don’t delay your plan. These are some business ideas which you can start from the comfort and the convenience of your own home today amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 

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Process & Business Expansion Sales Startup

Steps Taken by Modi Government to Give Relief to MSMEs, to Accelerate the Wheel of Economy That Slowed Down Due to Lockdown

Business in India | Representational Image Only (Photo Credits: Pexels)

The government has said that the recent steps that it has taken are aimed at giving relief to MSMEs which will in turn accelerate the wheel of economy in India. Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari, during a webinar said that the changing the definition of MSMEs, Scheme of Fund of Funds, Champions portal, extended credits to MSMEs will certainly accelerate the wheels of economy which had slowed down due to lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

During his address, Gadkari informed that loans of about Rs 1,20,000 crore have been disbursed to MSMEs out of Rs 3 lakh crore announced in the relief package. Discussing about the problem of delayed payments, he said that instructions have been given to all Ministries, Departments and PSUs to clear pending bills of MSMEs within 45 days. He also urged all Chief Ministers to issue directions for clearing MSME dues by their State/UT Ministries/Deptts and PSUs on priority. The Minister added that we are closely monitoring the complaints lodged at SAMADHAN Portal also.

Gadkari said this while addressing a Virtual MSME Conclave organized by FICCI Karnataka State Council. The Minister further appealed to all the stakeholders to do away with all kinds of fear and negativity and assured that government is doing everything possible to make the country a super economic power. The Minister informed the participants of the webinar that we are working on the idea of a Land Bank and Social Micro Finance Institution which will be very helpful for entrepreneurs and persons who want to run small shops and businesses.

While discussing Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gadkari said that handloom, handicrafts, khadi industries and agro-based industries should be encouraged especially in 115 aspirational districts in India. He said planning will be taken up for special policies for agricultural, rural and tribal sector because they have huge potential of creating employment.