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Union Budget 2019 – Startups Get Major Advantages

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Union Budget 2019,Startups Get Major Advantages,Startup Stories,Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,Union Budget Session 2019,Union Budget Sessions,Union Budget of India,India Economy 2019,Union Budget 2019 Highlights for Startups,Budget 2019 Highlights,#Budget2019

The Union Budget of India is mostly about giving us an insight into how the government decides to spend public funds for the overall development of the Country. 

India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented her maiden budget to the Parliament on Friday and walked us through the various plans which may take India’s economy to $ 5 trillion by 2025. 

The Indian startup ecosystem felt, the Interim Budget, which was helmed by Piyush Goyal in February, had overlooked their problems. 

However, giving a major boost to thousands of startups across the Country, the Narendra Modi led Government announced a list of measures the Government is going to take to “release the entrepreneurial spirit” in the Country.

Keep reading to find out what the Budget for new India has in store for business heads and startup founders.

 

Budget 2019 highlights for startups

1) The Modi Government will soon launch a TV program exclusively for the startups in India, which will air on the Doordarshan channel.  This program will serve as a medium through which emerging startups could meet venture capitalists and investors.  This TV program will be directed, executed and run by startups themselves.

 

2) The Startup India Scheme, which was launched in 2016 to support entrepreneurship among women and marginal segments of the society by providing them financial assistance, has produced more than 300 entrepreneurs as of today.  Mrs. Sitharaman said, this scheme will continue till 2025. This can prove to be a major boost for aspiring entrepreneurs.

 

3) A reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Income Tax for electric vehicle (EV) makers and owners has been proposed in the Parliament.  This move could prove to be profitable for EV startups in the Country.

 

4) Sitharaman announced, startups will no longer be under the scrutiny of Angel Tax.  Angel tax is applicable to startups which have raised their capital by selling shares above the market value.  This excess capital is considered as income and taxed accordingly, a move which was started in 2012. The waiver of angel tax could be a huge relief for startup owners.

 

5) The Finance Minister proposed a 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) to insurance intermediaries.  The FDI limit is currently 49 %. Apart from this, the Government also announced 100 % FDI in single brand retail startups.  Startups like PepperFry and UrbanLadder, which operate single brand stores, will benefit from this move.

 

6) The Government will also establish around 100 business incubators—80 for livelihood businesses and 20 for tech, in the financial year 2019-20.  According to the Government, this will help create up to 75,000 skilled entrepreneurs.

 

7) Businesses with an annual turnover below Rs. 5 crores can file quarterly GST returns, said Sitharaman. 

 

Apart from all this, the several measures announced for labour laws, rental segment and education can have an indirect impact on the startups of our Country.  With so many incentives announced to boost the Indian startup ecosystem, we may see a substantial growth in Indian startups.

What is your opinion about Union Budget 2019?  Comment below and let us know. 

 

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Bengaluru’s Cult.fit Set to Make Waves in the Market with Upcoming ₹2,500 Crore IPO

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Cult.fit, the Bengaluru-based fitness and wellness platform backed by Zomato, has finalized five top investment banks—Axis Capital, Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and JM Financial—to manage its highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company aims to raise ₹2,500 crore through this offering, which is expected to value Cult.fit at nearly $2 billion.

Company Growth and Business Model

Founded in 2016 by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, Cult.fit has grown into a diversified health and wellness ecosystem. The company operates over 500 gyms across India and has expanded into multiple segments:

  • Cultsport: Direct-to-consumer fitness apparel and equipment (30% revenue contribution).
  • Eat.fit: Healthy meal delivery service (24.5% of revenue).
  • Mind.fit: Yoga and mental wellness services.
  • Care.fit: Healthcare clinics and diagnostics.

In FY24, Cult.fit reported an operating revenue of ₹927 crore, a 33.6% jump from ₹694 crore in FY23. Despite this growth, the company recorded a loss of ₹535 crore.

IPO Details

The IPO marks a significant milestone for Cult.fit, which was last valued at $1.56 billion during Zomato’s $100 million investment in 2021. With strong backing from investors like Accel Partners, Tata Digital, Temasek, Kalaari Capital, and Chiratae Ventures, the upcoming IPO is set to further strengthen its position in the Indian fitness industry.

Strategic Importance

Cult.fit’s move to go public reflects its ambition to scale operations and attract institutional investors globally. Its diversified business model positions the company as a leader in India’s growing fitness market. Analysts are closely watching this IPO as one of the most anticipated offerings of 2025.

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Indian Healthtech Startup Dozee Raises $8 Million to Revolutionize Healthcare with Innovative Technology

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Indian Healthtech Startup Dozee Raises $8 Million to Revolutionize Healthcare with Innovative Technology

Dozee, an Indian healthtech startup focused on remote patient monitoring, has raised $8 million in its latest funding round to boost its global expansion. This significant investment will help the company enhance its presence in both domestic and international markets.

 

Funding Overview

The funding attracted a mix of existing and new investors, including Prime Venture Partners, 3one4 Capital, and the State Bank of India. The capital will primarily be used to expand Dozee’s reach to hospitals worldwide and strengthen its research and development efforts. CEO Mudit Dandwate highlighted the funding’s role in improving critical care facilities globally while promoting Indian-made products.

Innovative Solutions

 

Dozee is recognized for its Contactless Vital Signs Measurement System, which allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ vital signs without direct contact. This technology has been implemented in over 380 hospitals across India, significantly reducing the workload on nursing staff and saving valuable time.

The company’s AI-powered Early Warning System (EWS) can predict patient deterioration up to 16 hours in advance, enabling timely medical interventions that could save lives.

 

Global Expansion Plans

Dozee aims to tap into over 2,000 hospitals across more than 100 districts in India within the next two years as part of its expansion strategy. The company is also looking to enter new international markets while adapting its technology to meet various regulatory standards.

With this funding, Dozee is set to make substantial progress in the healthtech sector, aligning with global trends towards more efficient healthcare solutions and positioning itself as a leader in remote patient monitoring.

 

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

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Zepto Prepares for IPO with $250 Million Secondary Share Sale to Boost Domestic Investor Ownership

Zepto, the Bengaluru-based quick commerce startup, is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO) by facilitating a secondary share sale worth up to $250 million. This strategic move aims to increase Indian investor ownership from approximately 33% to nearly 50% before the anticipated public listing later this year or early next year.

Funding and Investor Details

The secondary sale will involve private equity firms, including Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Edelweiss Financial Services, allowing existing investors and employees to liquidate their shares. Although Zepto will not raise additional capital through this transaction, it is expected to execute the sale at a valuation of just over $5 billion, consistent with its last funding round in November 2024.

Objectives Behind the Sale

The primary goal of this secondary share sale is to enhance domestic ownership in Zepto, aligning with regulatory preferences and making the IPO more attractive to local institutional investors. Co-founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra currently hold about 20% of the company, and increasing Indian shareholder stakes is seen as a way to strengthen governance and influence over the company’s future direction.

Market Context

Zepto operates in India’s competitive grocery delivery market, facing challenges from established players like Amazon India, Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket. Founded in 2021 by Palicha and Vohra after they dropped out of Stanford University, Zepto has quickly gained traction in the quick commerce sector.

Conclusion

As Zepto approaches its IPO, this secondary share sale represents a crucial step in solidifying its position in the Indian market. By boosting domestic investor participation, Zepto aims to enhance its credibility and appeal as it prepares for a public listing amidst a wave of Indian startups entering the stock market.

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