Latest news with #StartupInnovationsforSocialGood
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Empowering Startups Through Ownership-Preserving Capital
Startups across India are increasingly turning to non-dilutive funding options to secure capital while retaining full ownership and control. This shift is driven by a desire to avoid the equity dilution often associated with traditional venture capital, especially amid fluctuating valuations and heightened investor scrutiny. Non-dilutive funding encompasses various financial instruments, including venture debt, revenue-based financing, and government grants. These options provide startups with the necessary capital without requiring them to relinquish equity stakes. For instance, venture debt has gained significant traction in India, with funding reaching $1.2 billion in 2023, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the rising popularity of debt instruments that allow startups to scale operations without compromising ownership. Platforms like Debtworks have emerged to facilitate access to such funding. Based in Bengaluru, Debtworks offers tailored debt solutions, enabling startups to raise capital swiftly without equity dilution. Their approach includes rapid disbursement and personalized financing strategies, catering to the unique needs of each business. ADVERTISEMENT Similarly, Efficient Capital Labs provides revenue-based financing, offering up to INR 2 crore to startups, particularly in the AI and SaaS sectors. This model allows companies to receive funding based on their annual recurring revenue, ensuring that founders maintain full control over their businesses. Government initiatives also play a pivotal role in supporting non-dilutive funding. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides grants up to ₹20 lakh for proof-of-concept and up to ₹50 lakh for market entry, targeting startups in Tier II and III cities. Additionally, the Genesis Fund, with a corpus of ₹490 crore, aims to support 1,600 tech startups, fostering inclusive and sustainable innovation. In the private sector, HSBC's plans to establish a venture debt fund in India signify growing interest in non-dilutive financing options. This move is expected to provide startups with alternative funding avenues, reducing reliance on equity-based investments. Initiatives like the 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' program by IIT-Kanpur and SBI Foundation offer structured incubation and mentorship to 30 startups in sectors like AgriTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech. Such programs provide non-dilutive support, enabling startups to focus on innovation without the pressure of equity dilution. The trend towards non-dilutive funding is further exemplified by the success of companies like Grammarly, which raised $1 billion through revenue-based financing without giving up equity. This approach underscores the viability of alternative funding models that preserve founder ownership while supporting substantial growth.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
IIT-K, SBI Foundation launch startup innovations initiative
Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), in partnership with SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India, launched the 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' initiative under SBIF Innovators for Bharat on Thursday. The initiative is also supported by SBI DFHI Limited and SBI Ventures. The programme was announced on Thursday at an event held at the IIT-K Outreach Centre, Noida. The initiative will nurture 30 impact-driven startups—24 of which will be early-stage and 6 will be growth-stage—in domains such as AgriTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech. Spanning 18 months, the program will offer a structured incubation program with continuous mentoring, domain-specific support, and performance monitoring to ensure effective, socially impactful outcomes. The launch event was attended by Amey Karkare, dean of resources and alumni, IIT-K; Deepu Philip, professor incharge, Innovation & Incubation, FIRST; Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation; Ambika Prasad Bhuyan, vice president (head marketing and strategies), SBI DFHI Ltd; Kapil Kaul, CEO, IIT-Kanpur development foundation; Kumar Alok IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary Tripura and Prof of Practice, IIT-K; Aman Bhaiya, vice president and head (Strategy) SBI Foundation; and Piyush Mishra, COO, FIRST SIIC Kanpur, among other dignitaries.
Entrepreneur
4 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
IIT Kanpur's SIIC and SBI Foundation Launch 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' Initiative
The program will support 30 startups—24 in the early stage and six in the growth stage—across three crucial sectors: agritech, healthcare, and cleantech. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), in collaboration with the SBI Foundation, has launched the 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' initiative under the SBIF Innovators for Bharat program. The initiative, supported by SBI DFHI Limited and SBI Ventures, aims to nurture impact-driven startups that address some of India's most pressing societal challenges. The program will support 30 startups—24 in the early stage and six in the growth stage—across three crucial sectors: agritech, healthcare, and cleantech. Over a span of 18 months, selected startups will receive structured incubation support, expert mentoring, and performance monitoring to ensure sustainable and scalable impact. Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, "SIIC/FIRST IIT Kanpur has always had a solution-oriented and future-ready approach to strengthen India's startup ecosystem. This program, supported by the SBI Foundation, is a uniquely-curated collaborative initiative that will help enhance the impact of the startups, empowering communities and ultimately contributing to economic growth and societal well-being." The initiative also promises startups opportunities for networking and follow-on investments through curated workshops and roadshows, promoting indigenous innovation to meet critical unmet needs. Prof Deepu Philip, Professor-in-charge of Innovation and Incubation, SIIC-FIRST, IIT Kanpur, added, "This collaboration focuses on developing transformative capabilities across AgriTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech to achieve a wider impact. FIRST IIT Kanpur has a proven record with over 400 incubated startups, and this joint initiative adds to our legacy of nurturing innovation." SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of State Bank of India, is driving the program under its broader Innovators for Bharat initiative. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, stated, "This initiative will be a cornerstone in identifying, funding, and nurturing startups that will lead the next wave of Agritech, Healthcare, and Cleantech innovations. Our partnership with SIIC, one of India's top incubators, reflects our commitment to social progress through innovation." The initiative was officially launched at IIT Kanpur in the presence of several dignitaries including Prof Amey Karkare, Sanjay Prakash, Kapil Kaul, and others who reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation for social good. This partnership sets a significant precedent in leveraging academic and corporate collaboration to fuel India's journey toward sustainable development and inclusive growth.
