When we talk of top flagship schemes of the government of India, Start-up India makes its place. With the employment generation of 12. 42 lakhs, 128% annual compound growth, and over 1 Lakhs recognized startups, It is among the highly successful initiatives. To make it a success, several people have made their contribution including government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and notable IAS officers including Amitabh Kant, Ramesh Abhishek, Guruprasad Mohapatra, Rajesh Kumar Singh etc.
Start-up India: An Initiative to Change the Economic Landscape
In January 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched the Start-up India with an aim to foster entrepreneurship and promote innovation by creating an ecosystem suitable to the growth of startups. Soon after, IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek as the DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) secretary headed the initiative. He played a significant role in the early stages of the initiative. He along with several bureaucrats and key people outlined the agenda for the flagship programme to foster the growth of startups in India by simplifying regulations, providing funding support, and offering tax benefits.
Here in this blog, we have talked of the key figures behind the success of the Start-Up India Initiative.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In 2016, PM Narendra Modi launched the Startup India program to encourage entrepreneurship and create a supportive environment for startups in India. He has consistently promoted startups and encouraged successful startup founders to mentor young innovators and support new ideas. Government’s support has manifested in government initiatives like the Startup India Action Plan, the Fund of Funds, and other schemes that offer support and funding for startups.
Ex IAS Officer and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant
As the CEO of NITI Aayog, IAS officer Amitabh Kant has played a crucial role in the Startup India initiative. He contributed to shaping policies, promoting innovation, and building a strong ecosystem for startups in India. The Ex IAS officer has also been the CEO of the NITI Ayog from 2016 to 2022 and contributed significantly to the success of Start-up India.
Retired DPIIT Secretary & Ex IAS Officer Ramesh Abhishek
Ramesh Abhishek became the secretary of DPIIT just one and half month after the launch of the Start-up India programme on 16th January 2016. He joined his position on 1st March 2016. Ramesh Abhishek has contributed extensively to the initiative. He participated in policy-making, executing the initiative, and accelerating the programme. According to an article in Transactional Strategy, the key achievements during his tenure (2016 to 2019) include:
Registration of over 20,000 start-ups
Launch of a Fund of Funds (INR100 bn) that supported over 45 venture funds.
Resolution of over 30 regulatory/tax issues to ease the burden of start-ups and venture funds
Providing support to over 2,000 start-ups with faster processing of their patent applications and fee rebates.
Start-up India partnered with 8 countries, over 50 corporations and other stakeholders to strengthen the start-up ecosystem.
Ramesh Abhishek was optimistic during his journey for the Startup India Initiative. In his address on 1st year of the flagship programme, he said;
“I am neither happy nor satisfied. In the last one year, we have realised that there’s so much to do. However, we are absolutely committed that we will do everything.”
Ramesh Abhishek, Ex-IAS officer (2017 Statement published on YourStory)
Finance Minister Nirmal Sitaraman
Finance Minister Nirmal Sitaraman is also a very crucial personality who makes the Start-up India programme a great success through various policies. She introduced tax benefits for startups that provided crucial financial relief to startups and encouraged investments in the sector. Nirmala Sitharaman has also advocated the Start-up India program to encourage youth.
Late IAS Officer Guru Prasad Mohapatra
Succeeding Ramesh Abhishek, late IAS officer Guru Prasad Mohapatra became the DPIIT Secretary on 01st July 2019. During his tenure, on the 71st Republic Day parade, DPIIT proudly showcases the Startup India tableau. Themed ‘Startups: Reach for the Sky’, aimed to inspire the creative youth of India to follow their dreams. IAS officer Guru Prasad Mohapatra passed away on 19 June 2021 due to COVID-19-related complications.
Retired DPIIT Secretary & Ex IAS Officer Anurag Jain
Ex-IAS officer Anurag Jain was also among the significant personalities that helped in boosting the startup ecosystem in India. He has witnessed several steps the government has taken to support the startups. On the success of Startup India, the ex-secretary and IAS officer said;
"The number of recognised startups is increasing significantly, and the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme are doing well. Startups, too, will attract significant FDI in 2023,"
Amitabh Kant, Ex Secretary DPIIT and ret. IAS officer
IAS officer Amitabh Kant was the DPIIT secretary before the tenure of several IAS officers including Ramesh Abhishek and Guru Prasad Mohapatra.
DPIIT Secretary IAS Rajesh Kumar Singh
Rajesh Kumar Singh is the current secretary of DPIIT, also heading the Start-up India programme. With years of administrative experience, the IAS officer is a key individual in the initiative. Recently in March, under the leadership of the IAS officer, Start-up MahaKumbh, a 3-day event has occurred in Delhi intending to create a startup ecosystem in the country.
Apart from these political leaders and IAS officers, several Start-up India states in charge, members of the board of directors, ministers, CEOs, investors, and founders, contribute to the success of the Start-up India programme. Several departments of the government of India participated in this initiative and played significant roles. Every individual who adopted innovation started their business, supported these startups and ensured the country became self-reliant.
Conclusion
Credit for the 8th year of achievements of Start-up India is for one and all. But efforts need to be more, which as potential is limitless. The saying of ex-IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek after the 1st year of start-up India “I am neither happy nor satisfied. In the last one year, we have realised that there’s so much to do. However, we are absolutely committed that we will do everything” is still valid.
Truly we came so far, but there is more to do and achieve. To achieve them we need to be committed and continue to put in the effort.