Could be a lot better

Remmie Azavedo first started in 2011 and
then restarted in 2013. He has been involved in formulating policy. He has been
talking to the government too. His company called Sabcoders created software
for restaurants and retail outlets. He said “We were one of the first companies
to be certified and we received the first tranche of Rs 4 lakhs two years ago
after that despite continuous reminders and presenting necessary documents
money has not be forthcoming” He felt the blame had to be placed at the door of
the ENY which was given the task of vetting the startups and messed it up
completely. He said they lost forms, requested for data from the startups on numerous
occasions. He said “The government should have helped us. We had 26 people
which were reduced to just 12. It is now difficult to get personnel in Goa so I
have hired contract workers from outside. It is a very tough situation and we
needed help from the government.”

Mohin Shah with a startup that featured an app called Fitkut
faced problems. The app is open source and is aimed at improving the fitness of
its users. Gyms and dieticians he said could come on board and render their
services to the clients on the app. He said “We were called for a meeting with
a high powered committee earlier in the month. There were over 10 startups, we
however were not allowed to present. When we asked why, they said something
about another committee. They fibbed, basically they had no answer. They then
asked me for my bank statement which was provided. They all wanted to know how
many employees we had. This app was handled by me and that was something they
could not understand”. Till now he said nothing had happened and he had no idea
if anything would move ahead with regards to funds from the authorities.

- Advertisement -

If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.

Another person who headed a startup which is already operational
but who did not want to come on record said they had applied for the startup
promotion scheme and had even been shortlisted but till date the monies had not
come in. As per the scheme they will be given Rs 10 lakhs but the wait for this
amount has stretched on for a while. The promoter did not want to come on
record fearing comments that could be deemed as negative would harm their case
for the amount.

Ankita Anand CEO, Startup Promotion Cell said a committee was in
place headed by the CM and they had a meeting and a decision was taken to
release funds for startups said a payment of Rs 10 lakhs was cleared but in the
first tranche of Rs 4 lakhs was cleared. Anybody requesting funds in the second
tranche would have to apply with all the papers in place. Till date she said 21
start ups were incentivized and 31 applications were approved. Till date Rs
1.80 cr has been approved till date and Rs 1.16 cr has been disbursed till
date. Speaking about the money disbursed in 2020-21 she said they had released
Rs 65,68,631.00. When she was told that startups had not received their monies
despite having been cleared or startups not being met, she said it would help
if they could whatsapp her or even call her directly and she would sort out
their problems.

Starting a business can be a frustrating affair in Goa and
perhaps the account of Tirthprasad Nagvekar of Adec Embedded Technology and
Solutions a company that manufactured scientific instruments. He set up the
company in 2010 and then spent time battling with bureaucracy who was very slow
moving. He spent time fighting for funds and land. He managed to get land but
funds were a problem. Applications were rejected. Frustrated, he is now in
Hubli setting up operations there. It’s cheaper he says and the bureaucracy, he
says listens and moves fast. Perhaps in that lies a tale for Goa.

The
state has to be aggressive in helping young men and women interested in setting
up businesses. Otherwise it will continue to remain a frustrating experience
for individuals interested in setting up operations.