Over the past few months, we have witnessed a number of policy changes focused on creating a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurship in India. Some changes go beyond the startup ecosystem and attempt to resolve the issues faced by companies/investors in general. A common feature in most such changes is iSPIRT’s Stay-in-India Checklist (SIIC). The SIIC comprises 34 issues, which...
Demystifying Startup Tax
Over the past couple of days, a lot has been written/discussed about the so called ‘startup tax’ and its perceived ill effects on the startup ecosystem. Under iSPIRT’s new initiative, PolicyHacks, I attempt in this note to demystify the legal/tax jargon around this tax and to clarify the proposed rule for the benefit of ecosystem participants, particularly startups. What is the law? Simply put...
iSPIRT’s Stay-in-India Checklist gains further traction: RBI and MCA follow the Startup India Action Plan
Several notable announcements have been made by RBI and MCA pursuant to iSPIRT’s Stay-in-India Checklist (discussed in my earlier post here). In its bi-monthly monetary policy statement released earlier today, RBI has stated that it will take steps to contribute to an ecosystem that is conducive for growth of startups. It is noteworthy that each of the points in the policy framework released by...
Startup Action Plan: Glass Half Full
Innovation and entrepreneurship are cornerstones of sustained economic growth. The Government has done well to recognise this by launching the Startup India Action Plan. The event was an unprecedented and resounding success. The energy in entrepreneurs, leaders of unicorns, seasoned investors, Government officials, etc was intense and, for most part, contagious. No doubt the Startup India Action...
Sign Startup Bridge Petition and promote Stay-in-India Checklist
Today’s Economic Times carries an article about “The Dark Secret of India’s Start-up Boom”. This implores the Modi Government to make bold moves regarding the onerous regulations that startups face. iSPIRT is also part of the new Startup Bridge India campaign, which urges the Indian government to adopt best practices from around the globe to help startups start, flourish and exit. We’ve...