Connect with us

Funding

DIPP Proposes Rs. 2000 Crores Fund For Startups

Published

on

DIPP Proposes Fund For Startups,Commerce and Industry Ministry,Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion,Nirmala Sitharaman,Startup India Hub launch, Startup News India,Karnataka Govt Elevate Program

Keeping in mind the difficulties faced by startups in raising funds, the Commerce and Industry Ministry and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP,) have launched a new Rs. 2000 crores credit guarantee scheme for startups.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Commerce and Industry Minister announced the scheme would provide credit guarantee of up to Rs. 500 lakhs per case, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. This proposed scheme will also include term loan, working capital or other instruments of assistance. This can be extended to finance an eligible startup recognized by the DIPP to member lending institutions. 

During the Startup India Hub launch, DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek announced the Union Cabinet was expected to approve the $ 300 million (Rs. 2000 crores,) fund for startups by the end of July 2017. A credit guarantee fund was first announced in October 2016 to support startups and their risk taking abilities.

The Startup India, Standup India movement had brought a lot of changes in the startup ecosystem in India. Central and state governments have launched multiple programs for the benefit of startups across the country including tax redemptions and inclusion of foreign investment. Although a $ 1.5 billion ‘Fund of Funds’ scheme had been set up, to date only $ 848,000 (Rs. 5.66 crores) of the $ 1.5 billion fund were actually disbursed.

Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has also taken multiple steps to ease the process of proliferation and setting up of startups. She has encouraged resolution for online vendor issues with ecommerce players and has recently announced a startup meet across the SAARC nations.

The Modi government has provided a platform for startups in India to raise and compete with the giants of the world. Recently, it was also reported the Commerce and Industry Ministry was also looking to establish a Startup Coast in Karnataka to better facilitate startups in southern India. The Karnataka Government also launched the Elevate program, that would select 100 startups and help them grow.

India, at present, is the third largest startup ecosystem and the fourth fastest growing economy in the world, according to Global Economic Prospects.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Tbtwcxcy

    May 25, 2025 at 10:55 am

    Explore the ranked best online casinos of 2025. Compare bonuses, game selections, and trustworthiness of top platforms for secure and rewarding gameplayBonus offer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Funding

Agritech Startup Gramik Raises INR 17 Crore to Expand Rural Commerce in India

Published

on

StartupStories
  • Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
  • The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
  • Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.

Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model

  • Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
  • The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
  • Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

  • Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
  • The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
  • With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
  • Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.

 

Continue Reading

Funding

Reliance Jio Platforms Puts $100 Billion IPO on Hold to Focus on Growth

Published

on

Reliance Jio Platforms, the digital and telecom powerhouse led by Mukesh Ambani, has decided to postpone its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), shelving plans for a 2025 listing. The IPO, which analysts valued at over $100 billion and expected to be India’s largest-ever stock market debut, will not take place this year. The company has yet to appoint bankers for the process, signaling that preparations for the public offering have not started in earnest.

According to sources close to the matter, Jio Platforms wants to give its business more time to grow before going public. The company is focusing on boosting revenues, expanding its telecom subscriber base, and scaling up its digital services—including apps, connected devices, and AI solutions—so it can achieve a higher valuation when the IPO eventually happens. Nearly 80% of Jio Platforms’ $17.6 billion annual revenue currently comes from its telecom business, Reliance Jio Infocomm, but the company is investing heavily in new digital ventures and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia on AI infrastructure.

The news of the delay impacted the market, with shares of parent company Reliance Industries falling by up to 1.8% following the announcement. Despite a strong IPO environment in India, Jio’s move is seen as a strategic decision to ensure stronger business fundamentals and a higher valuation before entering the public markets. Major investors, including Google and Meta, are said to support the decision, viewing it as a step toward long-term value creation.

Continue Reading

Funding

Flick TV Secures $2.3M to Revolutionize India’s Micro-Drama Streaming Scene

Published

on

Flick TV StartupStories

Flick TV, India’s first mobile-focused OTT platform dedicated to micro-dramas, has secured $2.3 million in seed funding led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from Gemba Capital and Titan Capital. Founded in early 2025 by Kushal Singhal, Pratik Anand, and Sanidhya Mittal, the platform aims to address the growing demand for high-quality, short-form storytelling tailored for mobile consumption. Unlike traditional user-generated short video platforms, Flick TV produces professionally shot, under-five-minute dramas across genres such as romance, thrillers, and slice-of-life—each crafted for vertical viewing to suit India’s rapidly expanding mobile internet audience.

The newly raised capital will be used to scale up content production, with plans to launch over 100 original titles, enhance the platform’s streaming technology, and expand offerings into four regional languages. Flick TV is also investing in generative AI and advanced workflows to streamline scripting and production, aiming to combine creative excellence with operational efficiency. The founders bring deep expertise from previous roles at ShareChat, EloElo, Meesho, and Pocket FM, positioning the company to bridge the gap between creator agility and cinematic storytelling in India’s nascent micro-drama ecosystem.

Industry observers see Flick TV as a frontrunner in India’s next entertainment wave, which is expected to be mobile-native, emotionally engaging, and built for short attention spans. With the micro-drama market projected to reach $5 billion in India over the next five years—mirroring the $7 billion success in China—Flick TV is poised to set new standards for premium, binge-worthy short-form content and redefine streaming for the modern Indian viewer.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement