Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

In its next meeting, slated for 9th September, the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council may decide over imposing an 18% charge on <keyword id="20157806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="payment-aggregators" source="keywords">payment aggregators</keyword> (PAs) like <keyword id="20290089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Razorpay" source="keywords">RazorPay</keyword>, Stripe, PayU, Pine Labs, and more. Reportedly, these charges will be levied on small value transactions of up to Rs 2,000, which are made via <keyword id="22719132" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="debit-and-credit-cards" source="keywords">debit and credit cards</keyword>. Until now, all payment aggregators were exempt from GST on all transactions up to Rs 2,000. We decode what it means for you, and how it will impact your pockets. What's happening? The <keyword id="22666613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fitment-committee" source="keywords">fitment committee</keyword>, which is made up of revenue officials from both center and states, is considering levying an 18% GST on payment aggregators. This is because officials feel that PAs are mere facilitators and intermediaries for card-based transactions, unlike banks, and thus, should be brought under GST purview. At present, they are exempt on paying GST on transaction of value less than Rs 2,000. But, if the proposal goes through in the 54th <keyword id="19994390" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GST-Council" source="keywords">GST Council</keyword> meeting, every transaction you make through your credit or debit cards going ahead via such PAs will become costlier. Who are payment aggregators? PAs are essentially third-party service providers that let customers pay, and allow businesses to collect payments made via UPI, credit/debit cards or more. They are the interface between the customers and the merchants, allowing customers to opt for multiple, secure payment options, and also letting merchants manage and track fund collections and refunds. For their services, PAs levy a payment gateway fee, which ranges between 0.5% to 2% for each transaction. Post demonetisation in 2016, when currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were discontinued with immediate effect, the government had waived off taxes on credit and debit card transactions of up to Rs 2,000, in order to boost digital payments. If GST is levied, PAs are likely to pass on this cost to merchants. Will UPI be affected? No. Currently, UPI does not currently have a MDR, or merchant discount rate. UPI will continue to remain a lucrative option for PAs and merchants, especially for transactions under Rs 2,000, since they will not attract GST. PAs charge MDR to businesses for processing credit and debit card transactions on their behalf. What will change? The move is likely to affect small businesses the most, who thrive on multiple, low value transactions. Think of this. Say you make a payment of Rs 1,500 via your credit card on Razorpay. If the PA sets its fee at 1% of each transaction, the business will have to pay Rs 15 to the PA. But now, with the potential additional 18% GST applicable, the business will have to pay Rs 2.7 more, or about Rs 17.7 to these PAs. This might not seem much at first, but compounded over multiple transactions, might snowball into a significant cost for small businesses.

GST Council mulling 18% GST on low value transactions made via RazorPay, PayPal and more. Here's how it will impact you

<keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">Startups</keyword> in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> have high expectations from this year's upcoming <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword>. Early-age startups hope for the removal of angel taxes, while <keyword id="20677283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-tech-startups" source="keywords">health tech startups</keyword> expect increased <keyword id="19913964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="funding" source="keywords">funding</keyword> for the sector. Startups function as engines of economic growth, playing a crucial role in generating new jobs, ideas, products, and services. As of December 2023, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recognised 1,17,254 startups. These startups have reportedly created over 12.42 lakh direct jobs, significantly impacting the economy. Eklavya Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Recur Club, stated, "We are confident that India's business credit landscape is on the brink of a major digital overhaul. FinTechs are at the forefront of this change, deploying innovative technologies and utilising in-depth data analytics to streamline and expand <keyword id="20974354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-access" source="keywords">credit access</keyword>." He added, "While the current allocation of Rs 10,000 crore is an excellent initial step, realising the full capabilities of India's SME and startup ecosystem will necessitate greater investment, especially in credit guarantee schemes." Vinod K Singh, Co-Founder and CTO of Concirrus, expressed his expectations from the budget: "As the Union Budget 2024-25 approaches, we hope the government will address the pressing issue of the 'angel tax.' Eliminating this tax will enhance capital formation and attract vital <keyword id="19895633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investments" source="keywords">investments</keyword>. Streamlining the duty structure and reducing high tariffs on electronic inputs are also crucial to bolstering the startup ecosystem and driving innovation. Expanding the Fund of Funds and introducing low-interest loans would be beneficial." Rajiv Lamba, co-founder and CEO of AI-enabled customer feedback platform Surveysensum, added, "Just as the government has prioritised financial inclusion, it should now focus on <keyword id="22405441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technological-inclusion" source="keywords">technological inclusion</keyword> to propel India to the next stage of growth. By training youth in AI, the government can make a strategic investment in the nation's technological future. Given the rapidly evolving job market, a substantial increase of 20 to 25 percent in budget allocation should be considered for AI-based skill development and entrepreneurship." He further emphasised, "Incentivizing investment in <keyword id="20328842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-startups" source="keywords">AI startups</keyword> and R&amp;D initiatives can boost local innovation in the AI space. The last budget introduced a deep tech fund of Rs 1 lakh crore with a 50-year interest-free loan period; the government should now establish a clear and transparent mechanism for access to this fund." Raja S, founder and MD of Hearzap, highlighted the expectations of health tech startups: "Health tech startups are eagerly anticipating increased funding that could usher in transformative advancements. This crucial investment holds the promise of extending cutting-edge healthcare solutions to rural and underserved areas, effectively bridging existing gaps in care. The upcoming budget ensures that every individual in our diverse population, from the youngest to the oldest, can access essential health services, including specialised care." Discussing taxation for startups in India, Vvihan Gulati, Director of Mediagraphics PR, commented, "Removing the angel tax is a highly anticipated move that would benefit early-stage startups and their investors. It would foster a more favourable environment for innovation and growth, allowing startups to attract much-needed capital without the burden of excessive taxation. This change could significantly enhance the ease of doing business and contribute to the overall growth of the startup ecosystem in India." The Union Budget 2024 will be tabled on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. With this, she will become the first Finance Minister to deliver seven consecutive budgets, surpassing Morarji Desai. She presented the interim budget on February 1 of this year.

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ivan Maryasin founded Monite after moving from Silicon Valley to Berlin.</li><li>He said building a business in the US is expensive due to hiring and living costs.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Ivan Maryasin, 31, about moving from the US to Germany and launching his startup, Monite, in Berlin. The following has been edited for length and clarity.In 2014, I left Russia to do my master's in international business at the Hult International Business School in Massachusetts.I had a background in marketing from jobs in Russia and wanted to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/work-visa-moved-usa-canada-immigrants-2024-7">work in America</a>. While studying, I started working in the IT industry, doing marketing. It was a great introduction to innovation and startups.During my course, I transferred to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/san-francisco-new-york-london-tech-where-to-live-2024-8">San Francisco</a> campus and then stuck around working for multiple tech companies, designing and implementing growth strategies.But in 2017, I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-things-moving-to-germany-from-us-2024-9">moved to Germany</a> to be closer to my then-fiancée, who I'd met in Moscow. We found it challenging to find a visa pathway that allowed her to move to the US and work as a dependant, so we both moved to Berlin. I got an EU Blue Card, and she was able to come with me as my partner with permission to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/german-vs-american-work-life-differences-according-to-us-mom-2024-4">work in Germany</a>.I already had plans to start my own company. However, as the cost of living in the US was starting to climb, I thought Europe would be a great location for a new business.I planned to continue working for startups in Europe before launching my company. I worked in HR tech and fintech, and in 2020, I cofounded <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/monite/company_financials">Monite</a>, a company that enables SMB platforms like Neobanks to embed automated features for things like invoicing to support their clients.I built the startup from the ground up to a 45-person team and raised over <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/monite-german-fintech-startup-raises-6m-funding-from-valar-ventures-2024-2#:~:text=The%20startup%20has%20raised%20a%20top%2Dup%20to%20its%20seed%20round%2C%20led%20by%20Third%20Prime%2C%20in%20March%202023%2C%20taking%20its%20total%20funding%20to%20%2417.4%20million">$17 million</a> from investors.I like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-to-do-in-berlin-germany-best-activities">Berlin</a> because it's a more affordable place to live and build a business, plus it's well connected to the rest of Europe. Here's how its startup ecosystem compares to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dating-silicon-valley-big-tech-hard-want-marriage-kids-2024-7">Silicon Valley</a>.<h2 id="e195bed4-45cb-4bba-ae91-f1e151fc0492">Berlin was a more affordable location to start Monite</h2>When I left the US, I visited multiple places in Europe and spoke to people in several cities, including Zurich, Barcelona, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biggest-surprises-moving-to-london-according-to-american-2024-10">London</a>, to help me decide where to move. Part of the reason I chose Berlin is because its tech scene was really on the rise.There were a lot of founder meetups, pitch events, and accelerators in the city. Local funding was also available. At that time, I felt German funds had strong institutional support and seemed the most forthcoming in Europe. It's very common to speak English in Berlin, and I feel this is an advantage for startups because it attracts talent from the US, UK, and beyond.The cost of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-start-and-grow-a-business-founders-advice-2023-1">building a business</a> in the US is high due to the cost of living and hiring. As long as I could still fundraise in the US, which became easier because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I preferred Europe. My journey in the States made it easier for me to know how the US market worked when it came to fundraising.The cost of living in Berlin is lower. When I lived in San Francisco and the Valley, I paid more in rent and needed a car to get around. In Berlin, I mostly get around by bike. Everything is a few minutes away, and there's less traffic.Berlin is well-connected to Europe. You can get almost anywhere in Europe in a few hours. Having moved from California, it was wonderful to be able to see family members in Europe and go on getaways more easily.<h2 id="42d233d4-0ad7-46eb-b81a-fdfde2cf12fc">There are some downsides to living in Berlin</h2>It's difficult to find US-level talent in Europe. A lot of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-best-cities-work-life-balance-ranking-2023-6">Europeans are focused on work-life balance</a>, but I'm a workaholic.It's hard to find people with the same values or who'll know what you're talking about when you say, "Silicon Valley benchmark." This refers to the strong emphasis on rapid scaling, competitiveness, and continuous self-improvement. In the US, I had friends working for LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Facebook, so I could see this benchmark in front of me.The European investment ecosystem is much more risk-averse. In America, failure is seen as part of the game, with a strong focus on the potential upside.In Europe, the approach tends to be more cautious and conservative, with more emphasis on mitigating risks. I do think that's now starting to shift, but historically, that's been one of the hardest things to overcome in the market.I feel lucky and grateful to have raised money and for the support I've had. However, it's not easy to be a founder without a background in Germany because having local connections has traditionally been valuable. In the US, it isn't unusual to be a foreign founder.While <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/german-vs-american-parenting-relocation-berlin-kids-independent-helicopter-parenting-2024-10">living in Berlin</a>, I think it's necessary to be strategic about getting the assets I need from other places. Monite is headquartered in Berlin, and I mostly live here, but I also travel a lot to places like the US and London to meet people and get inspiration. We also have a couple of employees in the States.<h2 id="bc7c8b3f-e6df-4494-bc91-d8696a768513">I like living in Europe, but wouldn't rule out returning to America</h2>Most people in Silicon Valley are focused on startups and innovation. If you're all about work and want to focus 24/7, Silicon Valley is the place to be.But that also depends on whether you can be there. It's not accessible to everyone due to the high visa barriers. For example, the H-1B visa has a lottery system, and I know people who went to MIT and Harvard who either didn't want the hassle or didn't win the lottery, so had to leave.Living in the Valley wasn't for me because it meant compromising on family relationships and the ability to see friends in Europe.That said, I won't say I'd never go back to San Francisco. If the business required me to be in the States, I'd find a way to make it work for my family. But my preference is to live in Europe and be in the States often enough to get the benefits.Do you have a relocation story you want to share with Business Insider? Email <a target="_blank" href="mailto:ccheong@businessinsider.com">ccheong@businessinsider.com</a>

I left Silicon Valley for Europe. Here's why I chose to launch my startup in Berlin.

Global mobility fintech startup <keyword id="20582833" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="moove" source="keywords">Moove</keyword> on Wednesday said it has raised $10 million in new debt funding from leading venture debt fund <keyword id="19952355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stride-ventures" source="keywords">Stride Ventures</keyword> to expand its <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> footprint. The fresh capital will be utilised to scale the Indian fleet to over 5,000 and expand into new markets including Delhi, Pune and Kolkata, the startup said in a statement. "Our vehicles have completed over 4.2 million trips, significantly impacting India's mobility sector. With the robust support of Stride Ventures, we stand on the cusp of transforming vehicle ownership nationwide, propelling our mission forward," said <keyword id="20582834" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="binod-mishra" source="keywords">Binod Mishra</keyword>, Regional Managing Director, India and South Asia, Moove. Gurugram-headquartered Moove has established its presence in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad. "Our alliance with Moove is set to transform vehicle ownership accessibility throughout India, marking a significant leap towards social and economic advancement," said <keyword id="20582835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apoorva-sharma" source="keywords">Apoorva Sharma</keyword>, Managing Partner at Stride Ventures. Operating in nine markets across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Moove has emerged as Uber's top vehicle supply partner in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and its largest global fleet partner. Currently, over 30 million trips have been completed in Moove-financed vehicles globally, said the startup. The company uses technology and productivity data to build an integrated, revenue-based vehicle financing platform for mobility entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world who have limited or no access to a vehicle or vehicle financing. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/poco-oneplus-top-indian-smartphone-shipment-growth-but-overall-reading-flat/articleshow/107681294.cms">Poco, OnePlus top Indian smartphone shipment growth but overall reading flat</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/seven-out-of-top-10-smartphones-sold-worldwide-in-2023-were-iphones/articleshow/107617907.cms">Apple domination: Seven out of top 10 smartphones sold worldwide are iPhones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-february-2024/slidelist/107220575.cms">Samsung to Nothing – The upcoming smartphones hitting Indian market in February</a>

Mobility fintech startup Moove raises $10 mn to expand India footprint

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New York-based BBG Ventures has raised a new $60 million fund.</li><li>The latest fund will invest in both female founders and those with diverse backgrounds.</li></ul>Only a handful of VCs sought out women entrepreneurs when AOL media execs <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/susan-lyne-bbg-gilt-groupe-2017-12">Susan Lyne</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-important-vcs-startup-investors-new-york-city-2023-10#jessica-lin-work-bench-40">Nisha Dua</a> launched BBG Ventures in 2014 to exclusively back female founders. Ten years later, the seed stage fund has raised a new $60 million fund and is moving beyond just backing female founders to any entrepreneur from a diverse background."This is not about abandoning women, but expanding our mandate to back a diverse founding team," Lyne told Business Insider.Founders from diverse backgrounds have taken a hit amid the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venture-capital-funding-crunch-will-continue-2024-2023-12">funding slump in venture capital.</a> In the first half of 2024, Black-founded US startups received $228 million in funding — or about .3% of the nearly $79 billion that went to U.S.-based startups, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://news.crunchbase.com/diversity/black-founded-startup-venture-funding-fearless/">according to Crunchbase data.</a> The dollar total is a 60% drop from the first half of 2023. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/30-best-women-early-stage-seed-vc-investors-startups-2023-5">Lyne</a> and Dua teamed up at AOL in 2014 to create a $10 million fund, BBG, to back female founders and invested early in Spring Health, which was mostly recently <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.springhealth.com/news/fortune-exclusive-ai-powered-mental-health-startup-boosts-valuation">valued at $3.3 billion,</a> and toy brand KiwiCo.When <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-to-buy-aol-2015-5">Verizon bought AOL</a> in 2015, BBG Ventures separated and raised a new $50 million fund. For the first time, it raised capital from institutional investors, including the State of Michigan Retirement Services and Illumen Capital. Investments include genAI startup Topline Pro and skincare company Starface.Dua said that these LPs returned to back their newest fund and also increased their commitments. New investors in the fun include Fairview Capital, Pivotal Ventures, California Endowment, and Mizuho. Previous investors Nordstrom, Verizon, and Bank of America also invested in the $60 million fund.Dua explained that the decision to move beyond exclusively backing just female founders reflects the duo's shift in thesis around innovation. "There are underrepresented groups around not just gender but also race, age, and income," said Dua.She emphasized that female founders are still a huge focus area but that the firm is excited to back strong, underrepresented founders in healthcare, fintech, and the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-rapid-funding-rounds-2024-9">investment area nearly all VCs clamoring to back:</a> AI. The new fund has already backed an AI recruiting startup for hourly workers, UpWage.BBG isn't becoming an AI-focused firm anytime soon though, Dua cautioned. "Some funds are building a portfolio of just AI companies," she said. "That's not us." She highlighted a recent investment out of the new fund in Nara, a startup that has created an FDA-approved, certified organic whole milk formula. "It's important for us to be circumspect where AI can drive growth in certain startups," added Dua.For Dua and Lyne, being an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-wan-cofound-partners-emerging-manager-fund-2023-10">emerging fund manager and raising a new fund</a> is "not easy." "The vast majority of VC funding this year goes to a very small pool of funds, and sub-$100 million funds have a tougher time raising," said Lyne. She added because of the competition to raise funds from LPs, many funds are taking longer to make decisions and waiting to see what returns a fund makes before investing again."Many of our LPs believe in impact and trying to broaden access to capital," said Lyne. "We raised more than our last fund, and I think it's validation of our thesis."

BBG Ventures raises $60 million for its latest fund and moves beyond just backing female founders 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This is an excerpt from the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>OpenAI is viewed as one of the most important startups in Silicon Valley. It now has a price tag to match.The high-profile startup announced the closing of a $6.6 billion funding round that valued it at $157 billion. It marks the largest VC round of all time and makes OpenAI one of the most valuable startups in the world, alongside Elon Musk's SpaceX and ByteDance, TikTok's parent company.So, who invested?Josh Kushner's Thrive Capital is leading the round. Repeat investors include Cathy Wood's Ark Venture Fund, Chase Coleman's Tiger Global, and OG OpenAI backer Microsoft. New faces include chip giant Nvidia and Masayoshi Son's SoftBank. Here's a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-investors-latest-funding-round-2024-10">complete rundown of the backers</a>.The big news comes amid wider turmoil at the startup. Last week, Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati became the latest executive to depart the firm. That was coupled with news of OpenAI's plans to become a for-profit corporation.(OpenAI exec Kevin Weil told Business Insider's Rob Price the startup <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-kevin-weil-mira-murati-great-bench-cto-abrupt-departure-2024-10">still has a "great bench</a>," so there's that.)In the meantime, OpenAI's rivals like Anthropic and Perplexity <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-rivals-anthropic-perplexity-on-prowl-after-wave-exec-departures-2024-10">are pitching themselves as being about mission over profits</a>. And more exits could be coming since OpenAI is reportedly working on allowing its employees <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-chatgpt-stock-sale-artificial-intelligence-fundraising-valuation-sam-altman-2024-10">to sell their shares in the company</a>.<div type="image" title="Photo illustration of Sam Altman" height="2250" width="3000" msid="113912126" hostid="261" sizebytes="213128"></div>It's important to remember OpenAI's eye-popping valuation is just that … a valuation.Silicon Valley has a long list of high-flying startups that raised money on massive valuations that have proved difficult to maintain.Take the fintech Stripe, which was valued at almost $100 billion at its height in 2021 only to see its valuation get cut down amid a downturn in the industry. Even as it claws its way back, one of its backers has reportedly offered to buy its own investors' shares in the startup <a target="_blank" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/sequoia-capital-stripe">who want liquidity</a>.Which gets us back to $157 billion OpenAI. At that size, and with the current regulatory environment around AI and Big Tech, an acquisition is almost certainly out of the question. That leaves the public markets, another daunting task.If OpenAI were to IPO tomorrow at that value, it would be the second-largest American IPO by initial valuation, trailing only Alibaba, which went public in September 2014 at a $169.4 billion price tag."I hope and expect that the next step for OpenAI would be to go public," Altimeter Capital's Brad Gerstner, who is an OpenAI investor, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/openai-investor-says-the-next-step-for-the-chatgpt-maker-should-be-to-go-public/">said at a conference Wednesday</a>.But even if the IPO market can shake its current drought, questions remain if <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-impact-overblown-investment-tech-stocks-billions-daron-acemoglu-mit-2024-10">AI is just a bubble waiting to pop</a>. At the very least, turning a profit from the tech, which is costly to build and maintain, is proving difficult for just about everyone. OpenAI will reportedly lose as much <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-implosion-investors-vcs-2024-9">as $5 billion this year</a>.On the other hand, if OpenAI can maintain its position as the go-to AI app, and the wider industry is as transformational as some believe it is, getting in at a $157 billion valuation might be a bargain.The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

OpenAI's latest funding round could be a bargain or a bust for investors     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own.</li><li>India's booming market size, internet growth, and post-pandemic spending is driving their decision.</li></ul>Nithin Hassan, 41, has always been fascinated with building something of his own.As a child in India, he would get in trouble for dismantling electronics around the house just so he could peek inside.In college, in true <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/startups-to-bet-your-career-on-in-2024-2024-2">startup</a> fashion, he started working on a small business out of his parent's garage in Bengaluru, assembling computers for friends and family.It was the early 2000s and the internet was not the trove of knowledge it is today — Hassan was relying on books to learn. Finding mentorship and the right guidance was a challenge, too.Everyone around Hassan told him that going to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">US for a master's degree</a> was the next big opportunity. So he did.Over the next 16 years, he put his startup plans on hold and worked at some of the world's biggest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.<div type="image" title="Nithin Hassan" height="2450" width="3266" msid="113831978" hostid="261" sizebytes="215682"></div>But the pandemic felt like a turning point. And its aftermath made India look like a lab-designed business environment: It had just become the world's most populous country, the pandemic had created <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/private-consumption-continues-to-be-supported-by-pent-up-demand-finance-ministry/articleshow/99069973.cms?from=mdr">pent-up demand</a> for consumer products, and growing internet adoption made commerce more scalable, he said.So Hassan left behind about $500,000 in annual pay at Meta to move back to Bengaluru in December 2023 with his wife and two children. He has since launched two startups.Hassan is part of a group of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">expat Indians moving back</a> home to venture out on their own. As such, he's also part of a decades-long trend of reverse migration back to India.The trend began in the 1990s and picked up at the turn of the century, driven by the economic collapse in 2008, said Binod Khadria, the president of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism. Many of those who returned to India for work were largely working for multinational companies.Today, the impetus for the move often looks a bit different: It's driven by factors like unstable visa policies and economic recessions, which lead to uncertainty when it comes to jobs and duration of stay in these destinations.Many returnees find work in tech, but the finance, retail, and climate sectors also absorb a large number of expat Indians, Khadia said. And some of the returnees are heading back to India to start companies of their own.India is undergoing a startup explosion. The country reported over<a target="_blank" href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2043805"> 140,800 recognized startups</a> at the end of June — nearly 50,000 more than last year — and credited them with creating 1.6 million direct jobs.To be sure, not all of these companies will make it big — and some do still stumble, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://inc42.com/features/what-are-the-current-problems-being-faced-by-oyo/">Oyo </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blackrock-hsbc-funds-byjus-startup-valuation-zero-edtech-india-raveendran-2024-6">Byju's</a>. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said.Business Insider spoke to six <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">first-time founders </a>about why they have recently returned to India after spending several years, or even an adult life, abroad.<h2 id="0e4a3c47-ba19-4690-8b52-c6bfece1c81d">Fastest-growing economy</h2>The health of the economy and interest from investors are fueling the entrepreneurship boom.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-billionaire-karan-adani-plans-challenge-china-dominance-seaports-2024-8">India's economic growth</a> in 2023 — 8.2% — was the fastest of all large economies worldwide. That's led to greater purchasing power, which lets companies, including startups, sell more.India's inflation rate of about 3.5% is well below its annual wage growth of 9.6%. This makes inflation less of a challenge than it is for slower-growing peers, where consumer-focused businesses have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-jobs-report-sentiment-consumers-elections-recession-inflation-mortgage-rates-2024-9">hurt by high prices</a>.Investors are getting in on the action.From 2015 to 2021, the number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sequoia-capital-vc-firm-split-china-india-2023-6">unique investors in India</a> nearly quadrupled, though the number is tracking much lower this year, per PitchBook."Other than a slight downturn in 2022 and 2023 due to global macroeconomic factors, VC funding has been consistently growing in India," said Ben Mathias, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia &amp; India.Besides funding, domestic developments have encouraged founders and VCs too, Mathias said.The Indian government's Universal Payment Interface system has spurred consumers and businesses to pay online, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bcg.com/press/2june2022-digital-payments-in-india-projected-to-reach-10-trillion-by-2026">40% of all digital payments</a> globally happen in India today, the partner said.Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother.Devyani Parameshwar worked in the microfinance and fintech space in India in the 2010s before heading to the UK and Africa. She returned to India in 2022 to launch a financial management venture."It's changed dramatically. I remember standing in line at various ministries in Delhi trying to get meetings and then trying to get answers and it wasn't easy in the past," she said of her memories of India.Now, she can use an online platform to ask the country's central bank and banking regulator questions.It's easier than ever for foreign companies to invest in India, which means startups have a clearer exit path through acquisition — something VCs think hard about before entering new markets or writing checks.<h2 id="e5dd7b6f-a09f-4ff2-84c1-5907de96dc5e">Market ripe for the taking</h2>For Rohan Bhide, who spent most of his college and professional life <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">preparing to launch something of his own</a>, a trip home in 2017 while he was studying in the US was a turning point.Indian telecom giant Reliance had recently launched a cheap unlimited data plan, which spiked Indian internet adoption. India was charting among the countries with the highest online transactions."That really, really drew my attention," said Bhide, who worked at Meta after graduation. "It was my dream come true — a huge market, a huge user base, and at the same time, the ability to adopt technology was incredible."Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. He and a cofounder are working on launching a consumer tech product later this year.<div type="image" title="Rohan Bhide" height="2304" width="3072" msid="113831979" hostid="261" sizebytes="218468"></div>Most Indians grew up wanting to work at a multinational company — but that's changing, Bhide said.Freelancing, running your own business, or working for a startup is much more socially acceptable now, because people see the success of other Indian startups. The country has the third-largest number of "unicorns" — companies worth $1 billion or more — with 64, per PitchBook.<h2 id="7f423804-745b-4e04-a250-839e01663f09">Boom in entrepreneurship culture</h2>A lot has changed since Hassan first wanted to launch his hardware startup in the early 2000s.Tech hot spots like Bengaluru and Gurugram have seen a boom in entrepreneurship culture in the last few years, with meet-ups, networking mixers, and even morning walks with like-minded builders.<div type="image" title="man standing in front of mountains in USA" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113831980" hostid="261" sizebytes="141132"></div>Dhruv Anand, who left Google in the US to move back to India in 2021 to launch an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-most-promising-2024-9">AI startup</a>, said that there were lots of other founders and mentors to help guide him."If you want to figure out who's the right chartered accountant to talk to, who's the right lawyer to help you draft agreements, all of that stuff is very easy," Anand said."It's been a really, really supportive community," Bhide said. There are people "telling you about their entire lives just because they want to help you and they're hoping that you pass the favor onto the next person who moves to India and wants to start their own company."<h2 id="3c8bff36-e855-4530-9b44-bcc7f36b0825">Not everything is perfect</h2>Although these founders made the decision to return to India, that doesn't mean they no longer see the benefits of operating in the US.Ruchit Garg founded an agriculture startup in Silicon Valley in 2016, with a focus on supporting farmers around the globe. In 2019, he returned to India, where his late grandfather worked as a farmer.Garg has been building in India ever since, but he says its startup ecosystem cannot yet compete with the Valley's decades of experience."The overall ecosystem was more mature back in Silicon Valley. It's still one of the best places for entrepreneurs. India isn't there yet, although it's growing pretty drastically," he said.Despite efforts to digitalize key processes, many bureaucratic challenges persist.For most founders, after living in US cities where populations are a fraction of those in Mumbai and Bangalore, congested roads and poorer air quality are also everyday annoyances.But India provides some big perks, including affordable domestic help and the appeal of building solutions for problems they witness firsthand."It's a different joy to be able to build for problems that you feel for very personally," Parameshwar, the fintech founder, said. When she worked in Africa, she needed translators. Now, she can speak with her users herself.Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."For some founders, being surrounded by family and the culture they grew up in was another selling point.Niranjan Vemulkar moved back to India in 2015 and later founded a digital legacy planning platform.He said that he never fully felt at home in the US, where he lived for over a decade."For us, it was the fact that we wanted to raise a family in an environment where the children would have access to the grandparents and Indian culture," Vemulkar said. "The fact that you could come back to India, start something of your own and figure things out in an ecosystem which was potentially booming for startups, was just a cherry on the cake."Are you in India and have a story to share about the tech and entrepreneurship landscape? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

You Searched For "fintech startup funding" and got 7 results

GST Council mulling 18% GST on low value transactions made via RazorPay, PayPal and more. Here's how it will impact you

Ira Alok Puranik

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

ANI

I left Silicon Valley for Europe. Here's why I chose to launch my startup in Berlin.

Charissa Cheong

Mobility fintech startup Moove raises $10 mn to expand India footprint

IANS

BBG Ventures raises $60 million for its latest fund and moves beyond just backing female founders

Leena Rao

OpenAI's latest funding round could be a bargain or a bust for investors

Dan DeFrancesco

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

Shubhangi Goel,Charissa Cheong

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides