Manish Kumar
Post News Network
Hurdles faced by start-ups in Orissa
1)Government agencies reluctant to fund start-ups
2)Lack of incubation centres mars pre-testing of start-ups
3)Several taxes impose additional burden on premature firms
4)Families still not impressed by the idea of non-conventional jobs
5)Non-subsidised materials needed to establish start-ups dampen spirit
6)Dearth of examples of success makes encouraging others difficult
Bhubaneswar: With the central government gearing up to aid start-ups, and the state government following suit, young entrepreneurs from the state are high on hope.
Some of them, who have started
their ventures over the past few
years, shared their experiences and expectations from the governments with Orissa POST.
Lalit Ranjan Manik is the co-founder of online portal ‘Hello Doctor 24X7’. The portal launched in 2010 is a health service platform that helps rural users locate health professionals in their proximity.
Lalit says he had struggled much to establish the venture and is optimistic about the proposed policies.
“Besides providing the direct benefits such as tax concessions and other support to entrepreneurs, the move is also likely to pave the way for greater awareness regarding start-ups. I believe it will help infuse a positive environment for start-ups and minimise the negative approach towards such ventures.”
He added: “When a person plans a start-up, many mock them initially. But if the family is supportive, it can help a lot and I believe this move can also change the attitude of families.”
Deepti Ranjan Sahoo, the founder of digital marketing startup ‘derive-e-firm’ said: “The main problem start-ups in Orissa face are costly infrastructure and support elements such as the internet. I hope the new policy of the Centre and the forthcoming policy of the state will help give concessions on these elements so that start-ups and young ideas can grow.”
Deepti, however, lamented that due to less attention of the governments earlier, a few IT start-ups from Orissa could really succeed while other similar start-ups in other cities flourished.
For 26-year-old Samit Ranjan, the director of the start-up ‘Ioke Motors’, which makes products such as automatic wheelchairs, the move is likely to help the young entrepreneurs as it envisages training which is essential to help such ventures sustain themselves amid competition.
“The new policy talks about incubation centres and mentoring from industry bodies. This is likely to help startups gain experience from more experienced bodies and in getting guidance when needed. Start-ups often need such help in the early stages of their functioning,” he said.
Srijeet Mishra, founder of the online laundry store ‘Dhobiwaale’ also agrees that incubation centres help widen the knowledge base. “I initially established the venture to make something of my own. Later I realised it is always a good to learn more through business schools. I enrolled for MBA in Bhubaneswar and facilities such as the incubation centre here helped me much in understanding the sector better.”
