Celebrating the Foundation Day indeed puts the spotlight on the progress that each state is making. Examining this, we see that the Andhra Pradesh government is going all out for promoting small-scale to large-scale businesses in the state by ensuring ease of doing business. By identifying, nurturing, and promoting prospective start-ups, the AP Innovation Society oversees the start-up ecosystem in the state; and under the supervision of the Ministry of ITE&C of Andhra Pradesh, it encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory (UT) has been playing the role of a catalyst in creating an enabling environment for innovators and startups to thrive; and here you find a variety of sustainable projects for investment – to enhance startup culture. In the capital city – Delhi, it goes without saying that women entrepreneurs are not only visible but are creating waves in a very big way.
Here are some government shemes & incentives for Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Andhra Pradesh
> Andhra Pradesh Innovation and Startup Policy
Since the State of Andhra Pradesh requires world-class scientific and technologically-advanced ecosystems that could empower and enable its youth to carry out the fundamental duties for the country, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has proposed to set up a mission for Innovation and Capacity Building for enhancing innovation, entrepreneurship and startup culture within the State. This Mission has helped formulate the Andhra Pradesh Innovation and Startup Policy which is based on Shared Infrastructure, Incubators/ Accelerators, Human Capital, Funding and the most important of all, a system of Good Governance.
The Vision of the Andhra Pradesh Innovation and Startup Policy is – “To create a world-class ‘technology startup ecosystem’ by fostering ‘entrepreneurship and a culture of innovation’ which contributes to increased knowledge, wealth and employment in our society.”
https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/andhra-pradesh-innovation-and-startup-policy/
> Andhra Pradesh Women’s Co-operative Finance Corporation LTD
Ensuring participation of women in national economic development, this co-operative’s main aim is provide women with economic self-reliance, access to employment and provide them with appropriate working condition and control over economic resources like land, capital and
technology. It was established in 1975, to empower women in the state.
https://www.indiangoslist.com/ngo-address/ap-womens-cooperative-finance-corporation-in-
guntur-andhra-pradesh_AP-2017-0118862
https://wcd.nic.in
https://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/10.%20Empowerment%20of%20Women-ilovepdf-
compressed.pdf
> Start-up Andhra Pradesh
The name of the policy is Andhra Pradesh Innovation & Start-up Policy 2014. The nodal agency involved is Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication. Start-ups will be provided 50 %( 100% for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs) reimbursement for the exhibition stall rental cost for participating in the notified national/international exhibitions.
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/EventsCompetitions/startup_india_yatra/startup-AndhraPradesh-yatra.html
https://www.startupindiahub.org.in/content/sih/en/startup-scheme/state-startup-
policies/AndhraPradesh-state-policy.html
https://www.thehansindia.com/business/andhra-pradesh-catching-up-with-startup-binge-738656
> Women Entrepreneur International Trade and Technology Hub (WITH)
Women Entrepreneurs International Trade & Technology Centre was incorporated on 04 March 2021. It is classified as a Non-Govt company and is registered at Registrar of Companies, Hyderabad. Its authorized share capital is Rs. 100,000 and its paid up capital is Rs. 10,000. It is inolved in social work activities. Women Entrepreneurs International Trade & Technology Centre’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was last held in May 2022.
https://weittc.org/
> Industry Development Policy 2015-2020, Andhra Pradesh
The policy includes certain benefits for women entrepreneurs which are as follows:
a) Women entrepreneurs are considered as the sole Proprietors or invariably have 100% share in Partnership/Private Limited.
b) 25% of the investment subsidy is given on fixed capital investment by women entrepreneurs, with a maximum limit per unit of ¬30 lakhs.
c) Seed capital assistance to First Generation Entrepreneurs of 15% of the machinery cost, which will be deducted from the eligible investment subsidy.
d) All other incentives can also be availed by women as per Industrial Development Policy
2015-20.
https://www.apindustries.gov.in/apindus/Data/GO/G.O%20for%20Industrial%20Development%20Policy%202015-2020.pdf
https://investuttarakhand.uk.gov.in/themes/backend/acts/act_english1575366133.pdf
> Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India
The Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India (ALEAP) actually fulfills the dream of women entrepreneurs. It was established to bring women entrepreneurs on a common platform. It was established in December 1993 under section 25 of the company’s act 1956 as a Non-Profit Organisation. Today it holds the recognition of being one of India’s premier institutions for enhancing women’s entrepreneurship. It provides education, vocational rehabilitation, and environment for supporting women entrepreneurs who establish small and medium enterprises. It trains, guides, supports and enhances the lives of women who are striving for the success of their business. It supports women economically and guides them in converting their ideas into concrete businesses.
https://www.aleap.org/
> Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India
It is a national association of Women Business owners and helps them with economic, social and political spheres. Its vision is to assist women entrepreneurs, promotes affiliation and spread COWE activities across India. It conducts seminars and a conference, creates marketing platforms, helps women in networking and mentoring avenues, collaborates with industrial parks and assists more women to become successful entrepreneurs.
https://co-we.com/index.php
Andaman & Nicobar
The Government of A&N Islands is committed to support startups, incubators and the broader
innovation ecosystem through various funding schemes under the initiative. The administration also will move forward to assist partnerships with Angel Investor Networks and Venture Capital Investors across India to enable financing for startups.
> Start-up India
Andaman and Nicobar Islands a Union Territory (UT) has been playing the role of a catalyst in
creating an enabling environment for innovators and startups to flourish and grow. The state
offers a variety of sustainable projects for investment in entities to enhance the startup culture in the UT, which continues to create multiplier effects on employment generation and social
transformation, leading to the growth of the UT. They launched the “Innovation & Startup Policy 2018” (the policy) which aims at nurturing a culture of ideation, entrepreneurship and innovation amongst individuals and entities. The policy envisions to create a startup ecosystem through strategic partnerships, conducive startup ecosystem and favourable policy interventions.
The government of the UT is also nurturing the seeds of innovation and entrepreneurship by
building an enabling ecosystem. Some of the initiatives considered are: Building physical
infrastructure to support innovators and startups; promoting a culture of innovation through
academic interventions and institutionalising the culture of entrepreneurship by providing
resources and skills training.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been evaluated on 7 distinct pillars which largely contribute
to the growth of the startup ecosystem in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/srf/reports/Andaman_and_Nicobar_Report_26072020.pdf
Delhi
Programmes launched by Government to promote women entrepreneurship across the
country is applicable in Delhi too.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing Pradhan Mantri YUVA (PM YUVA) Yojana, a pilot scheme, for creating an enabling ecosystem through entrepreneurship education, training, advocacy and easy access to entrepreneurship network.The scheme covers 10 States and 2 Union Territories (viz. i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Delhi and Puducherry). State-wise details (including West Bengal) of beneficiaries (Men and Women separately) covered under Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and Mentoring Camps organised under the project.
https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1703222
> Self-Employment Program (SEP)
This component focuses on financial assistance to individuals/groups of urban poor for setting up gainful self-employment ventures/ micro-enterprises, suited to their skills, training, aptitude and local conditions. The component will also support Self Help Groups (SHGs) of urban poor to access easy credit from bank and avail interest subsidy on SHG loans.
Selection of Beneficiary: The Community Organizers (COs) and professionals from Urban Local Body (ULB)/District will identify the prospective beneficiaries from among the urban poor. The community structures formed under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of NULM viz: Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Area Level Federations (ALFs) may also refer prospective individual and group entrepreneurs for purpose of financial assistance under SEP to ULB/District.
Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP): In addition to skill training of the beneficiaries, the ULB /District will also arrange to conduct Entrepreneurship Development Program for 3-7 days for individual and group entrepreneurs.
https://dmnewdelhi.delhi.gov.in/sep/
> New project to promote women entrepreneurs in Delhi – in April 2022
In order to promote women entrepreneurship and work participation, an MoU was signed between the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) and the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU). The MoU reflects a collective approach in supporting women entrepreneurs at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey by offering learning opportunities.
Anchored in the WCD’s ‘Samriddhi Project’, the MoU aims to undertake entrepreneurship development initiatives to train existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs in Delhi for establishing their own enterprise using the platform of DWCD’s Saheli Samanvay Kendra (SSK)
to create anganwadi hubs.
The SSK is a unique intervention developed during the period of the pandemic for facilitating action to address socio-economic needs of women, girls, and children through the effective utilisation of anganwadis.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2022/apr/19/delhi-introduces-new-project-to-
promote-women-entrepreneurs-2443730.html
> Women Works Programme (WW)
The Government of NCT of Delhi through the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) has launched the Women Works Programme (WW). The programme will promote women entrepreneurship and provide support to women for setting up their own enterprises. The 120 Anganwadi Hub Centres (AHCs) will be the focal points of the programme. The goal is to enable women to achieve financial self-independence, create micro businesses within the local economy and employment generation for economic growth.
The Women Works Programme provides an unique opportunity for young leaders to implement a unique programme promoting skilling and entrepreneurship in the country.
https://dseu.ac.in/womenworks-programmes/
> Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (WEE)
Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (WEE) is a first-of-its-kind social national initiative by IIT Delhi – to strengthen women eco system. WEE has been founded under the vision of IIT Delhi Director: Prof V. Ramgopal Rao and is supported by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
WEE intends to focus and ignite a fire amongst women from a college going student to a middle aged housewife to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable, fulfilling career option.
http://weefoundation.org/
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
Poonam Sinha
