Team Herald
PANJIM: Start Up, Speed Up, Scale Up is the mantra of proposed new Startup Policy of Goa Government. This new Goa Startup Policy is being drafted, with a comprehensive approach towards Startups. While the current pandemic situation has proven to be the cause to limit some avenues, it has as well opened up certain options for Startups.
A press release issued by Department of Information says that the government also has had its share of issues coping up with the emergencies; as these unprecedented times have limited Government Exchequer. Yet, the Startup Promotion Cell (SPC), Government of Goa’s nodal agency for Startups has been continuously working towards uplifting Startups by building and creating continuous opportunities for Startups and depended ecosystem.
“Amid all this anarchy caused by the pandemic, SPC has begun work on drafting a new Goa Startup Policy. The drafting of the new Startup Policy has been undertaken after interacting with Startups, investors, respective Goa Government departments and State governments,” it says.
The Central nodal agency, Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have been actively involved and is being consulted for policy inputs. The new 2020 Startup Policy will be drafted by incorporating the learnings of present Startup Policy 2017, Inputs by Goa Startups and Ecosystem Enablers and most importantly keeping in mind these unprecedented times.
Director (IT) and CEO (SPC) Ankita Anand, IAS, said, “The draft of new Goa Startup Policy 2020, will be uploaded on the Goa Online Portal and all are encouraged to provide suggestion on the policy. It will be posted on the recently launched online MyGov.in platform exclusive for Goa.”
The five policy pillars of the Goa Startup Policy 2020 will be Institutional Support and Framework, Access to Finance, Access to Talent, Education and Skill Development and Thought Leadership.
Reflecting the same, the scope of new Startup Policy will be diverse yet inclusive. Additionally, the revised policy looks forward to enforce special focus on Women Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises with focus on sustainable solutions.
Minister for Information Technology Jennifer Monserrate has been actively monitoring the SPC and has launched a series of “Startup Day Programmes” and these programmes have got phenomenal participation and response.
These programmes were launched with a vision to assist the Goa Startups to be prepared to Speed Up, Scale Up and Go Global. Taking inspiration from the same, the Startup Policy 2020 will have programmes to connect these Startups with the Goan Diaspora across the globe thereby providing global access to the experts. This will serve as a catalyst for growth of our Startups.
Secretary (IT) Sanjay Kumar, IAS, has been encouraging SPC continuously to foster Entrepreneurship and Innovation among the students.
Students and freshers from colleges have invigorating ideas and should be given wings to fly. For this purpose, SPC plans to launch Hackathon and Challenges exclusively for the students, to provide them with a platform to showcase their skills and talent.
The purpose behind these programmes would be to enable deserving ideas to not only get the financial assistance but also more importantly the advice and guidance from an established mentor(s). The SPC reports to the High Powered Committee, which is chaired by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. As per the directions of the High Powered Committee, a “Fund of Funds” (FoF) will be set up by the SPC. This FoF will be investing in Certified Goa Startups and will play a crucial role to build an active investor network in the State.