Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government on Thursday approved the Startup Policy 2021 as the extension given to the earlier policy of 2017 lapsed; however, many startups mentioned that the new Startup Policy 2021 was not uploaded on the government’s portal till late evening. Several startups in Goa responded to Herald based on the information they received during the Antha Prerna Conclave.
DS Prashant, CEO of an incubation centre Forum for Innovation Incubation Research and Entrepreneurship (FiiRE) at the Don Bosco Technical Institute Fatorda, said, “Support for women entrepreneurship in the new startup policy will help to bridge the gender disparity amongst startup founders. We need more women innovators who will help build compassionate and humane startups which are needed for social development.”
Remmie Azavedo, CEO FabCoders said, “I am happy that the government has been proactive in drafting the new policy and getting it approved. I speak on behalf of the entire startup community in Goa when I say that all of us are looking forward to the actual implementation and disbursement of the promised scheme funds.”
Sairaj Dhond, Founder and CEO of Wakao Foods, who is basically into making of raw jackfruit as a great vegan product said, “This move by the government will give a huge boost to the entire startup ecosystem in Goa. Goa is fast becoming a startup destination, with a lot of companies from India shifting their base to Goa. This startup policy will encourage more and more Goan youth today to look beyond government jobs and become entrepreneurs.”
Gautami Raiker, Founder & CEO of The Legal Capsule, a company which is A B2B SaaS based contract lifecycle management platform for SMEs and large-scale enterprises said, “This will boost the startup community in Goa. The previous policy did strengthen us through its various schemes. The new scheme is a step towards solving all lapses and smooth support to the startups.”
Rohan Warty, Managing Director of Xerviz Wlobal and Secretary of Goa Technology Association (GTA) said, “TA has been following up the new developments in the Goa Startup Policy. Some insightful suggestions have been taken from the industry and accordingly recommended to be incorporated in the updated Startup Policy. We are eagerly waiting for the revised policy draft, hoping for a smoother and easier procedure for the end users. A friendly startup policy will go a long way in support of the Goan Startup and IT Industry. It can also aid in attracting nationwide startups to Goa making it the next startup hub.”
Rohini Gonsalves, Founder and MD of Sevarat Healthcare and Nursing Pvt Ltd said, “Over the years, it was clear that the startup policy needed several updates and revisions. I hope it has taken into consideration all the relevant inputs and suggestions given by the startups. I sincerely hope that the government has created the structures with office bearers having enough capabilities and power to implement the policy in word and spirit. Time is of essence. And even promising businesses fail due to delays in availing the benefits and incentives that the government aims to provide startups.”
CopperCodes is an IT consultancy firm specialising in mobile app and software development and also provides digital signage solutions to starred hotels and convention centres. Chinmay Sanjiv Kamat, Managing Partner at CopperCodes said, “I would say, a step taken in the right direction and at the right time by our government. This would definitely help Goan startups recover from the post pandemic hit.”
Earlier, the draft Goa Startup Policy 2021 had proposed to revise the definition of a startup from the existing cut off of Rs 25 crore annual turnover to Rs 100 crore annual turnover. The IT Department aims to bring in more tech firms under the ambit of the new policy, which will replace the Goa Startup Policy 2017. This information was revealed during the recently held Antha Prerna, a Startup Conclave and Entrepreneurship Summit hosted by the Startup Promotion Cell of Government of Goa in collaboration with AIC-GIM (Atal Incubation Centre- Goa Institute of Management) and Info Tech Corporation of Goa Limited.
The draft policy aimed to create at least 500 innovative, technology-enabled startups over the next three years, which should potentially create employment for at least 6,000 Goans. This information was revealed recently by the Startup Promotion Cell (SPC) during the recent conclave held in August this year. Under the Startup Policy 2017 which lapsed on September 30, 2021, there were 111 certified startups in Goa and around Rs 1.1 crore has been disbursed to startups under the policy.
