FFS, SISFS and CGSS supports startups at various stages
The Fund of Funds Scheme (FFS) for startups has committed Rs.7,980 crore to 99 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and disbursed Rs.3,400 crore to 72 AIFs which have in turn made investments of Rs.14,077 crore in 791 startups as of 31 Dec 2022.
The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash gave this update in Parliament on 3 Feb 2023.
As reported by SIDBI, FFS has played an important role in wealth creation, employment generation, inclusive growth and recognition for startups.
The FFS Scheme was approved and established in 2016 with a corpus of Rs.10,000 crore, with contribution spread over the 14th and 15th Finance Commission cycle based on progress of implementation, to provide much-needed boost to the Indian startup ecosystem and enable access to domestic capital.
Under FFS, the Scheme does not directly invest in startups, instead provides capital to SEBI-registered AIFs, known as daughter funds, who in turn invest money in growing Indian startups through equity and equity-linked instruments.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has been given the mandate of operating this Fund through selection of suitable daughter funds and overseeing the disbursal of committed capital.
AIFs supported under FFS are required to invest at least 2 times of the amount committed under FFS in startups.
Under the Startup India initiative, the Government is constantly undertaking various efforts for the development and growth of startup ecosystem in the country.
The flagship Schemes namely, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) are supporting startups at various stages of their business cycle to enable startups to graduate to a level where they will be able to raise investments from angel investors or venture capitalists or seek loans from commercial banks or financial institutions.
The Government also implements flagship annual exercises and programs including States’ Startup Ranking, National Startup Awards and Innovation Week which play an important role in holistic development of the startup ecosystem.
The Government through stakeholder consultations seeks regulatory and policy related recommendations for enhancing ease of doing business and reducing compliance burden for startup ecosystem.
The Government also facilitates participation and engagement of Indian startup ecosystem at international platforms. fiinews.com
