LokSabha 2019: Start-ups mostly happy with govt

Pune: The city which has gained the reputation of having a huge number of young people, also has start-ups in big numbers. Interestingly, many of these young entrepreneurs are happy with the policies and support given to them by the current government. However, they have a few demands  for the next elected government such as more focus on making start-up-friendly policies and providing an international platform.

According to a report on entrepreneurship which was published in the TiECON 2019, stated that, Pune was home to 3,200 active start-ups (2018) across various new age sectors such as healthtech, edtech, autotech, agritech etc, with many more to emerge in the coming years. 

Similarly, according to the Center for American Entrepreneurship’s report ‘Rise of the Global Startup City,’ Pune is ranked 10th in the ‘global next’ category.

Varun Jain, CEO and Founder of Pune-based udChalo.com, a travel start-up for defence personnel, felt steps like Start-up India, tax benefits for new small businesses and improving ease of doing business right from the time of registration to availing credits have been made easy.

From the future government, he said, “I expect more clarity in some areas where there are still some ambiguity such as Angel Tax and GST Compliance for start-ups. Also, steps to help new service based start-ups in credit and loan servicing would provide boost for new age entrepreneurs.”

Anand Abbad, founder of Green Soldiers Recyclers, said, “Until now, the performance or help given by the current government has been decent enough. But, the policies started by the government should be well implemented and executed properly. Since we are working into solid waste management we expect that NGOs or start ups like us should get a facility to set up the infrastructure from the next government.
Also, those who are working in the unorganised sector should be made organised,” he added.
 
Anand Jhanwar, co-founder of a Startup, said, “The current government has been continuously taking initiatives to promote the start-ups, as they have been rigorously organising events for start-ups to grow their business. The next elected government should also take startups promotion seriously and should make policies friendly.” 

Tushar Ghate, Director of The Escape, said, “Start-ups do not have enough awareness about government policies and their decisions and this should be curbed. There are several international forums which choose start-ups from India and take into international level where their horizons of business connect. And this kind of initiative should be more prominently take up by the government as well.”