by According to the Startup India Portal, India has about 50,000 start-ups and is the 3rd largest ecosystem in the world. Start-ups are now emerging in tier-II and tier-III cities, such as Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. Further, there is an increase in the investment flows from Chinese, Japanese, and Singapore based investors.
Causes for success
Reasons responsible for the growth of start-ups are:
- Large Indian Market:
India’s diversity in culture, religion, and language has helped start-ups to create diversified products, according to the needs of a particular community. This becomes their Unique Selling Proposition, which in-turn entices investors to fund the start-up.
- Fast-moving business environment:
In an uncertain and changing business ecosystem, the companies are under constant pressure to innovate to find a footing in the market. Sometimes, other companies invest or buy the start-ups to increase their own uniqueness.
- Easy access to funds
The government has set up funds for easy startups in the form of venture capital.
- Apply for tenders
New companies can apply for government tenders. They are excluded from the “related knowledge/turnover” standards appropriate for typical organizations explaining government tenders.
- Reduction in cost
The government additionally gives arrangements of facilitators of licenses and brand names. They will give top-notch Intellectual Property Rights Services including quick assessment of licenses at lower expenses.
The government will bear all facilitator charges and the startup will bear just the legal expenses.
- Tax holidays for three years
New companies will be excluded from income tax for a very long time, they get a certificate from the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB).
- R&D facilities
In the R&D area, seven new Research Parks will be set up to give offices to new businesses.
- Tax saving for investors
Individuals putting their capital additions in the endeavor subsidizes arrangement by the government will get an exemption from capital increases. Thus, this will assist new companies to convince more investors.
- Choose your investor
After this arrangement, the new companies will have an alternative to pick between the VCs, giving them the freedom to pick their investors.
- Easy exit
Now, talking about the easy exit then if there should be an occurrence of exit, a startup can close its business within 90 days from the date of use of winding up.
- No time-consuming compliances
For saving time and money numerous compliances have been facilitated for startups.
- Meet other entrepreneurs
The government has proposed to hold 2 startup fests yearly both broadly and universally to empower the different partners of a startup to meet.
Causes for failure
Lack of focus
When Bill Gates and Warren Buffet were asked about one factor that was responsible for their success, both replied with one word: focus. To understand how focus can help, let’s look at an example.
Grubhub is a food delivery startup. From the beginning, the company decided to focus only on food delivery. There are a lot of other services that a company like that could offer- pickup of food, catering, and more, but the founders chose to focus on just delivery. The result? They could execute technically and operationally and grow the business successfully.
Lack of funds
In 2018, bike rental startup, Tazzo, shut shop. The reason, as given by one of its funding partners, was a failed product-market fit that led to drying up of funding. Even though the startup had raised a considerable amount of funds, the lack of a profitable business model led to the startup shutting down.
Lack of Product Market Fit
There is no one “Fits in all” formula. It has deeper layers to it. This is more of a framework than a goal. Many-a-times, startups fail to validate their product ideas in the existing market scenario. In today’s competitive world, it is important to bring in a product or service that is both problem-solving and fulfils the customer’s expectations in every way, be it price-related or output-related. You don’t want to be wasting your time and efforts on creating something for which there is ‘no market need’!
Lack of innovation
According to a survey, 77% of venture capitalists think that Indian startups lack innovation or unique business models. A study conducted by IBM Institute for Business Value found that 91% of startups fail within the first five years and the most common reason is – lack of innovation.
Although India is said to have the third-largest startup ecosystem, it doesn’t have meta-level startups such as some of the big names like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Indian startups are also known for replicating global startups, rather than creating their own startup models.
Among the most innovative Indian startups would be startups like ChaiPoint, Ola, Saathi, and Swiggy, according to a list of 50 most innovative companies in the world.
Fear of Startup Failure
While this fear lives in almost every entrepreneur, some tend to simply stop taking risks. Decision-making is hindered as the key goal becomes to not make even one wrong decision at any costs, thus limiting the startup’s gamut. Such fear can not only restrain but also motivate entrepreneurs when directed in a positive way. Having a negative approach from the start can influence thoughts and behaviour badly.
Poorly Harmonised Team
Any well-to-do startup requires a wide range of expertise in its team of employees and management. It is not hard to find technically proficient people these days. However, it is very difficult to find people who know how to get along with others and can be counted on when managers are not looking over their shoulders. Skills and work approach of the founder and his/her team should complement each other efficiently. Working for a startup can create a sort of pressure for the employees too, but as a founder you need to maintain quality communication with them and exchange thoughts eagerly.
