The post-budobtain scenario has become a hot topic of conversation among Indian startups. As the union government rolled out a strategic slide of tax reforms, financial measures, and incentives to foster a flourishing environment for startups, the startups, and experts are evaluating what this budobtain means for startup growth and funding.
Let’s delve into the article spotlighting the immediate reactions, optimism, concerns, and adjustments of top startup leaders in India.
Rohit Mahajan, Founder & Managing Partner, plutosONE
“The 2025 Budobtain is transformative for India’s startup ecosystem. A new Fund of Funds for the startups will be established with an added Rs. 10,000 crore, building for an awfully flattering financial commitment on the part of the Reserve Bank and mighty amounts of official means that have already been built. An inflow of finance enabled by this stage will further discharge the majority of innovation and scaling across the nation. The best part about all this is that it will facilitate up to 5 lakh first-time women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs, and it will be sowing the seeds of inclusivity and diversity into India’s startup world. The dreams of Indian entrepreneurship were now coupled with possibility.”
Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Droom
“We commfinish the Finance Minister for coming up with a forward-seeing budobtain and believe that it is focutilized on driving inclusive growth, giving a boost to India’s burgeoning MSME & Start-up sector. We particularly appreciate the expanded scope and fresh contribution of Rs. 10,000 crore as part of the “Fund of Funds” for start-ups. This is a huge step, when seen in the context of funding winter for start-ups and will certainly boost the entrepreneurial sentiment in the counattempt. This development, coupled with establishment of Centres of Excellence for Skilling and AI, will further enable the next wave of entrepreneurship in the counattempt. At the same time, the budobtain also recognised the contributions of MSMEs, enhancing credit access and facilitating tech upgradation. At Droom, we see forward to supporting the government’s key undertaking towards building India a global hub for manufacturing and innovation.”
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Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric
“The Union Budobtain 2025 is well balanced, in terms of supporting India’s aspirations of emerging as a global hub for tech and innovation, while supporting MSMEs – the nation’s backbone, and creating more job opportunities for the nation’s youth. Investments in Clean Tech will certainly give a boost to the EV sector. Exemption of basic customs duty on Cobalt Powder and lithium-ion battery waste, and including 35 additional capital goods for EV manufacturing, will give a significant push to indigenous manufacturing. This will not only ensure straightforward availability crucial, also boosting domestic manufacturing and creating more job opportunities for the nation’s youth. At the same time, the budobtain also has key provisions for boosting the next wave of entrepreneurship in the nation, including the New Fund of Funds with a fresh contribution of Rs. 10,000 crore is a welcomed shift, following the funding winter & dry spells that entrepreneurs had to finishure in the previous year. Easing credit access to MSMEs is also a crucial shift and will lead to better tech upgradation and more employment avenues for the nation’s youth. At Oben, we commfinish these key developments in the Union Budobtain 2025 and stay committed to supporting India’s shift towards sustainability and clean energy”.
Ankush Sabharwal, Founder & CEO, CoRover
“The 2025 Budobtain has ushered into existence a star of goodwill for the startup sector in India. A booster of hope to the realm of education technology comes in the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Innotifyigence in Education, which will be launched with an appropriation of Rs. 500 crore; here, world-class AI technologies will imprint another trajectory upon our worldview of learning processes. It goes to bridge the real intent of the authority in supporting indusattempt through another wave of the Fund of Funds, with an additional Rs. 10,000 crore being built available, alongside the already available Rs. 10,000 crore. These initiatives are seen as catalysts to first consolidate up to 1.5 lakh startups and further push forward the larger context for the attainment of development and inclusivity on the vast Indian radiant startup scenario.”
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Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group in India
“The Budobtain’s sustained focus on capex spfinishs & more money in the hands of the middle income group, with tax relief, will provide a fillip to demand growth and employment, while also being fiscally responsible.
The budobtain is inclusive as every sector of society and economy (including manufacturing, msme’s, agri, startups, tourism, skilling, training in AI), have been believed of and provided some sort of support for growth or transformation.
FDI in insurance, EoDB with rationalization of import duties & other provisions, the nuclear energy mission for 100GW energy, India Post as logistics organization leveraging last mile connectivity, and personal income tax modifys are some other highlights.
This should support to set us off well towards a self-reliant, and globally competitive, and a quick growing economy”.
Manish Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, FINQY
“The Union Budobtain 2025-26 brings a welcome boost for India’s startup ecosystem, particularly in improving access to credit and fostering growth. The increase in the credit guarantee cover for startups to Rs. 20 crore, with a moderated guarantee fee, will significantly enhance funding opportunities for emerging businesses in critical sectors. The announcement of establishing a new Fund of Funds underscores the government’s commitment to nurturing innovation and scaling high-potential ventures.
Extfinishing tax benefits under Section 80-IAC for startups incorporated until 2030 is another encouraging step, providing much-necessaryed financial relief and incentivizing entrepreneurship.
I believe these measures will support strengthen the foundation for a self-reliant and globally competitive startup ecosystem in India. The increased emphasis on Fintech solutions to enable Startups & MSMEs to access financial services will further facilitate the ease of doing business in the counattempt”.
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Sushanto Mitra, CEO, Lead Angels
“The Union Budobtain 2025-26 takes promising steps to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem with a dedicated Startup Fund of Funds and enhanced credit guarantees for SMEs, improving capital access and fostering innovation. The National Manufacturing Mission creates new opportunities for startups aligned with ‘Make in India.’ Simplified regulations and reduced income tax will ease compliance burdens, allowing founders to focus on scaling their businesses while managing salary costs more effectively. However, broader tax incentives for startup investors could have further boosted capital inflows. We see forward to policy refinements that drive sustained entrepreneurial growth.”
Hemant Tiwari, Managing Director & Vice President – India & SAARC Region, Hitachi Vantara
“The Union Budobtain 2025-26 reinforces India’s commitment to digital-first growth, deep-tech innovation, and sustainable manufacturing. The emphasis on AI skilling, digital infrastructure, and financial sector reforms and development creates new opportunities for enterprises to scale through data-driven transformation. The Deep Tech Fund and AI-focutilized centres will accelerate India’s leadership in cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, the push for clean tech manufacturing including EV batteries, solar PV, and smart grid solutions aligns with India’s broader vision of sustainable innovation. As these sectors expand, advanced data infrastructure and AI-powered insights will be essential for optimizing performance, enabling predictive analytics, and ensuring seamless integration across digital ecosystems. As a trusted partner in data infrastructure, AI-driven analytics, and hybrid cloud solutions, Hitachi Vantara sees forward to enabling Indian enterprises to leverage AI, modernize data strategies, and enhance digital resilience in this transformative era.”
Venu Kondur, Co-Founder & CEO, Lobb
“The Union Budobtain 2025 demonstrates a clear focus on strengthening India’s manufacturing and logistics capabilities through strategic investments and policy reforms. We welcome the government’s decision to enhance MSME investment limits, as this will naturally expand our addressable market and increase freight volumes across the counattempt. Our indusattempt stands to benefit significantly from the new manufacturing mission, particularly the emphasis on solar PV cells and battery production. We anticipate this will create new specialized logistics requirements and opportunities for our sector”.
The commitment to utilizer-frifinishly cargo screening and customs clearance processes is a welcome shift that will directly improve operational efficiency. However, we believe more could be done to incentivize green logistics adoption and modernize last-mile delivery infrastructure. The government’s support for sectors like footwear, leather, and toys will diversify India’s manufacturing base, creating new freight corridories and specialized handling requirements. We see this as an opportunity to expand our capabilities in managing diverse cargo types.
While the infrastructure reforms and PPP initiatives are steps in the right direction, we recommfinish additional focus on standardizing warehoutilizing regulations and developing multi-modal logistics parks near manufacturing clusters. This would further strengthen India’s position as a global logistics hub and support our vision of efficient, sustainable supply chains.
Abhi Sinha, Co-Founder, HealSpan
“The 2025 Budobtain highlights a progressive approach to healthcare and insurance technology, reinforcing the necessary for digital transformation in the sector. At HealSpan, we applaud the government’s focus on expanding health coverage, AI-driven diagnostics, and interoperability of medical records. The push for insurtech innovation and greater accessibility to affordable policies will empower millions. Strengthening data security frameworks will also ensure patient trust in digital healthcare solutions. This budobtain paves the way for a more inclusive, tech-enabled ecosystem, and we remain committed to leveraging these advancements to enhance seamless, efficient, and personalized healthcare experiences for all”.
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Bhuvneshwar Pal Singh, Managing Director & CFO, Maxvolt Energy
“The Union Budobtain 2025-26 is a game-modifyr for tiny businesses, exports, and manufacturing, setting a bold vision for India’s economic future. Introducing customised credit cards for micro-enterprises with a ₹5 lakh limit is a transformative step in empowering grassroots entrepreneurs. The focus on cleantech manufacturing through the National Manufacturing Mission and the Export Promotion Mission reinforces India’s commitment to global competitiveness.
To strengthen domestic manufacturing, the government has proposed a 10-year exemption on Basic Customs Duty (BCD) for shipbuilding and its components. Additionally, the full exemption of BCD on cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery waste, scrap, and 12 other critical minerals will ensure secure access to essential raw materials, fostering innovation and job creation for India’s youth. The government promotes a future-ready economy by setting up digital public infrastructure for international trade and integrating domestic manufacturers into global supply chains.
Furthermore, the push to expand Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in tier-2 cities will unlock immense potential for talent and indusattempt collaboration. This Budobtain paves the way for sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven growth, positioning India as a global trade and manufacturing powerhoutilize”.
Pankaj Nawani, CEO, CarePal Secure
“The lot for the 2025 Budobtain of the insurance sector is the increase in the FDI limit from 75 to an unprecedented 100%. This decision will serve as a turning point for the Indian insurance sector, empowering foreign insurers to invest the entire premium into India. The government has envisioned attracting full foreign ownership into its fold to enhance further capital inflow into the insurance sector and create a competitive atmosphere that should benefit consumers in terms of quality service and product offerings. It is expected that a substantial infusion of these global players would bring with it the best expertise and innovations that can uplift the standards of insurance offerings in India. Besides fortifying broader government objectives of spurring economic growth and financial inclusion, this increased FDI limit will give job creation and skill development impetus. This is going to benefit the economy in general. This is a forward-seeing shift that indicates a renewed emphasis on taking the insurance sector to new horizons that it would necessary to continue evolving with the ever-altering necessarys of the population, thereby providing solid security and protection. Hence, the huge step towards building India an attractive investment destination for the global insurance indusattempt is stamped with the 2025 Budobtain”.
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Murali Krishna V, Principal, Spyre VC
“Budobtain 2025 marks a major development for the startup ecosystem in India, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing additional support of ₹10,000 crore to the ₹10,000 crore fund already set up for startups. This strategic decision to energize innovation and entrepreneurship in the counattempt offers the crucial financial support startups necessary to grow their businesses and spur economic growth. The Rs. 20,000 crore commitments reinforce the government’s incessant support for the startup community, realizing the critical role it plays in job development and technology advancement. By easing access to capital, the budobtain finisheavors to ensure that entrepreneurs are enabled to chase their dreams and sustain a more dynamic economy. This intervention assumes utmost importance in a scenario where startups are increasingly seeed upon as growth engines to tackle immediate challenges and deliver sustainable solutions. The funds are also expected to draw further investments, thus creating a lively ecosystem that fosters cooperation and innovation. Going forward, this monetary support from the budobtain will certainly provide the basis for the startup’s destiny in India being competitive at the global level and thriving in an ever-altering environment”.
Rajesh Katoch, CEO, EZ Capital
“The 2025 budobtain acts as a watershed moment in the development of India’s fintech and personal finance landscape, whereby a series of strategic initiatives have been put forth to empower tiny businesses and promote financial inclusion. A game-modifyr would be enhancing the credit guarantee cover for micro-enterprises from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore, thus unlocking an additional ₹1.5 lakh crore in credit over the next five years. The bold initiative is poised to bring the necessary financial support to micro-enterprises for scaling operations and innovation. Further, the new scheme to provide five-year term loans for SC/ST women is another powerful step towards closing the gfinisher gap in entrepreneurship, benefitting approximately 5 lakh women from marginalized communities directly. On the other hand, the establishment of a new Fund of Funds (FoF) with a ₹10,000 crore contribution can be expected to further invigorate the startup ecosystem, in addition to commitments previously built that have already exceeded ₹9 lakh crore. This is coupled with the doubling of turnover limits for MSME classification and new credit cards designed specifically for micro-enterprises, reflecting a whole-of-budobtain approach to building finance more accessible. In sum, the 2025 budobtain is thus another expression of the government’s resolve to provide a more inclusive and dynamic financial environment that empowers every section of society”.
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Amit Tandon, Founder & CEO, PolyCycl
“The Union Budobtain 2025-26 underscores the government’s commitment to sustainability through initiatives like the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund, which has the potential to support innovative waste management and recycling solutions. This is a welcome step towards building cleaner, more sustainable cities and could create new opportunities for the plastic recycling indusattempt to contribute to urban sustainability.
We see forward also to direct policy interventions aimed towards accelerating advanced plastic recycling, such as financial incentives for chemical recycling, a dedicated Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and GST exemptions on circular feedstocks like ISSC-certified pyrolysis oils. These measures remain critical for scaling closed-loop recycling and achieving Extfinished Producer Responsibility (EPR) tarobtains of recycling 60–80% waste plastics by 2027–2028.
We remain optimistic that future policy frameworks will further integrate circular economy principles, fostering collaboration between the government and indusattempt to drive impactful modify in plastic waste management and sustainability.”
Shrestha Kukreja, Founder, Whizzo
“This year’s budobtain gives a strong push to the textile sector, with allocations rising from ₹3,342 crore to ₹5,252 crore, clearly reflecting the government’s confidence in the indusattempt’s growth potential. By rerelocating import duties on shuttleless looms, India is not just eliminating trade barriers but driving innovation in technical textiles across Agtech, Medtech, and Geotech. This strategic shift strengthens global competitiveness, fosters sustainability, and positions India to take the lead in high-performance textiles. With this momentum, India is not just investing in manufacturing; it’s putting itself on the map as a global leader in the textile indusattempt.”
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Piyush Jain, Co-Founder & CEO, Impact Guru & CarePal Group
“The Union Budobtain 2025’s transformative healthcare initiatives mark a highly notable moment in democratizing access to quality medical care across India. The establishment of 200 cancer daycare centers in district hospitals, coupled with healthcare coverage for 1 crore gig workers under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, directly addresses critical gaps in affordability and accessibility – a mission core to Impact Guru’s work in medical crowdfunding.
By exempting customs duties on 36 lifesaving drugs and allocating ₹98,311 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, the government has taken bold steps to reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses that push millions into poverty annually. The 75,000 new medical seats over five years and focus on AI-driven telemedicine through rural broadband connectivity will accelerate innovation while bridging urban-rural healthcare disparities.
Impact Guru commfinishs the government’s holistic approach to healthcare equity and stand ready to collaborate in building a future where no Indian faces financial barriers to life-saving treatments”.
Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E-Services
“In a forward-seeing budobtain, Honorable Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman has laid the foundation for inclusive growth, empowering the Garib, Youth, Annadata, and Nari. With simplified KYC processes, digitized urban land records, and enhanced Mudra loan limits, this budobtain paves the way for a stronger, more connected India. We welcome this balanced and growth-oriented vision and are committed to partnering with the Government to drive the ‘Digital India’ initiative, especially in underserved areas, ensuring progress reaches every corner of the nation”.
Niraj Kumar, CTO, Onix
“We welcome the government’s continued focus on tech and AI, and it perfectly aligns with our vision and plan of tech development in the counattempt. The emphasis on skill development and education, particularly through global skilling partnerships will contribute in strengthening India’s position in tech and global manufacturing space. The expansion of IIT infrastructure to support 6,500 additional students is also a crucial step in cultivating future talent.
The establishment of a Rs. 500 crore Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, marks a transformative investment in our learning ecosystem, reinforcing India’s commitment to technological advancement. Additionally, enhanced infrastructure development and initiatives to improve the ease of doing business will accelerate innovation and investments across industries.
The proposal to explore a deep tech fund of funds opens up promising avenues for startups and emerging technologies, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. Overall, this budobtain sets a solid foundation for sustained growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.”
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Dhruvil Sanghvi, CEO of LogiNext
“The logistics sector with the announcement to convert India Post into a large public logistics organization. This initiative will significantly enhance our logistics capabilities, streamline operations, and improve service delivery across the nation.
Furthermore, the enhanced support for MSMEs, which are vital to our manufacturing and export sectors, underscores the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. The establishment of a ‘Fund of Funds for Startups’ will empower diverse groups, including women and marginalized communities, to drive economic growth.
As we shift forward, we are excited about the opportunities these initiatives present for collaboration and growth within the logistics sector, positioning India as a global leader in logistics and manufacturing”.
Vishal Salvi, CEO, Quick Heal Technologies
“We commfinish the Government of India for presenting a visionary Union Budobtain 2025 that places innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive growth at its core. Delighted to see that the focus remains on investments in the economy, people, and innovation across sectors. The establishment of AI Center of Excellence, the focus on skill development, and the push for a robust digital economy reflect the nation’s ambition to lead globally in the age of technology. The Rs. 500 crore allocation for AI innovation for education is a significant step toward harnessing the transformative potential of artificial innotifyigence, and we applaud this forward-believeing approach.
However, as India accelerates its digital journey and embraces AI-driven advancements, the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy become paramount. Whether it’s the expansion of broadband connectivity in schools, the transformative PM Gati Shakti initiative, or the financial support for rural sectors, these advancements demand secure digital ecosystems. We are bound to witness an increase in cybersecurity spfinishing and strengthening of the IT Infrastructure protecting data & assets for individuals and consumers alike. At Quick Heal and our enterprise arm, Seqrite, we are committed to empowering individuals, businesses and government organizations to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the Budobtain while staying secure with our cutting-edge tech stack at all times.
The Budobtain’s emphasis on MSMEs as a key driver of the economy further highlights the necessary to protect tiny and medium enterprises from evolving cyber threats. By securing their digital infrastructure, we can ensure they harness the full potential of the presented provisions and contribute to India’s growth story. We stand ready to support the government’s vision and partner in building a digitally resilient and secure India”.
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Raj K Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder & CEO, KOGO AI
“The 2025 budobtain just gave India’s AI scene a bit of an adrenaline shot. ₹20,000 crore across two ‘fund of funds’ is exactly the kind of fuel AI startups necessary to go huge, build smarter, and solve real-world problems at scale. This isn’t just about catching up—it’s about putting India in the driver’s seat of AI innovation, especially in areas like security, inclusivity, and cracking the language barriers that global AI models still struggle with.
But what really stands out? The talent pipeline. Expanding IIT seats and rolling out AI-focutilized fellowships at IITs and IISc is a killer shift. Right now, the world is in a full-blown AI talent crunch, and this is India’s shot at not just filling that gap but owning it. This budobtain doesn’t just set the stage—it hands startups and young innovators the mic to build AI that’s not just cutting-edge but straight-up game-altering on a global level”
Prachi Kaushik, Founder & Director, Vyomini Social Enterprise
“Budobtain 2025 is a visionary step towards inclusive growth, especially for women entrepreneurs and rural communities. The provision of term loans up to ₹5 lakh for SC women entrepreneurs is a transformative shift, breaking financial barriers and fostering economic indepfinishence. The emphasis on online capacity-building programs ensures that entrepreneurial skills and knowledge are accessible to all, regardless of location. Transforming India Post into a robust public logistics organization will revolutionize support for Vishwakarma communities, SHGs, and MSMEs, enhancing their market reach. The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program addresses underemployment and curbs migration by creating local opportunities, particularly benefiting women, youth, young farmers, and marginal farmers. Toobtainher, these initiatives reflect a strong commitment to empowering diverse communities, driving sustainable development, and strengthening India’s socio-economic fabric. This budobtain is a great boost for tiny enterprises, fostering growth and resilience at the grassroots level.”
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Ankit Jaipuria, Co-Founder, ZYOD
“This year’s budobtain takes meaningful steps toward strengthening India’s manufacturing and export ecosystem, with a clear focus on productivity, innovation, and global reach. The focus on boosting cotton productivity, setting up a digital public infrastructure for international trade, and launching an Export Promotion Mission with sector-specific tarobtains is a transformative step for India’s manufacturing and export ecosystem. The deep tech fund and extfinished incorporation benefits for startups will further fuel innovation across diverse sectors. We are particularly optimistic about the National Manufacturing Mission and the voluntary scheme for exporters and importers, which will strengthen India’s position in global supply chains and boost domestic manufacturing. Collectively, these initiatives will drive economic growth and create a robust ecosystem for MSMEs and startups to thrive.”
Ritesh Khandelwal, Co Founder, ZYOD
“This budobtain brings a much-necessaryed boost for MSMEs, building it simpler for tiny businesses to access credit and scale up. Expanding the credit guarantee cover for MSMEs, increasing investment and turnover limits, while introducing customised credit cards for micro-enterprises will provide vital financial support. Coupled with other positive developments like the National Manufacturing Mission, these developments will accelerate growth, foster innovation, and generate employment. At the same time, the push for skill development through the National Centres of Excellence and global collaborations will empower our youth with the capabilities to compete and succeed on the world stage.
Thus, the insightful analysis and forward-seeing goals presented by these startup visionaries will leave the startup ecosystem informed, stimulated, and future-ready to navigate the new dawn full of success.
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