Nitish Banka

    • Funding through Startup India-Part-2

    As, you became a recognized startup by following the process mentioned in the part one of my earlier post, now its time to cash in the real money that is the funding.

    In order to provide funding support to Startups, Government will set up a fund with an initial corpus of INR 2,500 crore and a total corpus of INR 10,000 crore over a period 4 years (i.e. INR 2,500 crore per year) . The Fund will be in the nature of Fund of Funds, which means that it will not invest directly into Startups, but shall participate in the capital of SEBI registered Venture Funds. Key features of the Fund of Funds are highlighted below:

    • The Fund of Funds shall be managed by a Board with private professionals drawn from industry bodies, academia, and successful Startups

    • Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) shall be a co-investor in the Fund of Funds

    • The Fund of Funds shall contribute to a maximum of 50% of the stated daughter fund size. In order to be able to receive the contribution, the daughter fund should have already raised the balance 50% or more of the stated fund size as the case maybe. The Fund of Funds shall have representation on the governance structure/ board of the venture fund based on the contribution made.

    • The Fund shall ensure support to a broad mix of sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, health, education, etc

    Here are the list of SEBI registered funds that will help in giving funding to the startups.

    CREDIT GUARANTEE FUND

    In order to overcome traditional Indian stigma associated with failure of Startup enterprises in general and to encourage experimentation among Startup entrepreneurs through disruptive business models, credit guarantee comfort would help flow of Venture Debt from the formal Banking System. Debt funding to Startups is also perceived as high risk area and to encourage Banks and other Lenders to provide Venture Debts to Startups, Credit guarantee mechanism through National Credit Guarantee Trust Company (NCGTC)/ SIDBI is being envisaged with a budgetary Corpus of INR 500 crore per year for the next four years.

    TAX EXEMPTIONS ON CAPITAL GAIN

    Due to their high risk nature, Startups are not able to attract investment in their initial stage. It is therefore important that suitable incentives are provided to investors for investing in the Startup ecosystem. With this objective, exemption shall be given to persons who have capital gains during the year, if they have invested such capital gains in the Fund of Funds recognized by the Government. This will augment the funds available to various VCs/AIFs for investment in Startups. In addition, existing capital gain tax exemption for investment in newly formed manufacturing MSMEs by individuals shall be extended to all Startups. Currently, such an entity needs to purchase “new assests” with the capital gain received to avail such an exemption. Investment in ‘computer or computer software’ (as used in core business activity) shall also be considered as purchase of ‘new assets’ in order to promote technology driven Startups

    So these are the some of the ways in which the credit and financial situation of the Startups can be assisted and managed by the government.

    Thanks & Regards

    Advovate Nitish Banka

    [email protected]