Securing funding through grant proposals can be a long and difficult process.Experts share their advice on how to help your applications succeed
Read the eligibility rules
Leave plenty of time to prepare
No unexplained jargon
Get other people to read it
Explain why research is needed
Network effectively
Justify extra time or resources
Participate in funding panels
Interpret referees feedback carefully
Plan applications in batches
Full Story
Showing posts with label funding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label funding. Show all posts
Friday, 25 November 2016
Thursday, 11 February 2016
10 ways to secure funding for your next IT project
IT has historically been perceived as a cost centre, and therefore a good place for businesses to cut. But it doesn't have to be that way.
After years of battening down the hatches, firms are willing to spend on IT again, with a recent survey by IDC finding that companies are allocating nearly half of their IT budgets to new projects. But securing funding for these projects can be an uphill struggle, so how can CIOs land the cash needed to make them happen?
Here are some techniques that can work when you're arguing the case for an IT project.
After years of battening down the hatches, firms are willing to spend on IT again, with a recent survey by IDC finding that companies are allocating nearly half of their IT budgets to new projects. But securing funding for these projects can be an uphill struggle, so how can CIOs land the cash needed to make them happen?
Here are some techniques that can work when you're arguing the case for an IT project.
- MAKE YOUR PITCH ABOUT THREE THINGS -- lower the risk to the business, reduce the cost to the business and improve value for the business
- TEAM UP WITH BUSINESS LEADERS
- MAKE THE PROJECT EASY TO DIGEST
- USE REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES
- ANALYTICS ARE IN
- DON'T FALL INTO THE CHEAP-AS-CHIPS TRAP
- MAKE IT A SELF-FUNDING PROJECT
- EXPLAIN WHY SHADOW IT MAKES IT MORE, NOT LESS RELEVANT
- DROP IN SOME BUZZ WORDS
- GET THE RIGHT MEMBERS OF THE C-SUITE ON SIDE
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
How Will Startup India Help You?
In order to give a boost to the culture of entrepreneurship at a mass scale, Prime Minister launched the Startup India program on 16 January with a number of initiatives and perks for startups.
In last few years, India has witnessed boom in the etail or ecommerce sector. Thanks to the startups which manifested risk-taking ability and defied the tradition by adopting innovative ways to run business. Because of their unprecedented feat, India could surpass China for the first time in the race to garner the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Ecommerce is one part of the story which certainly boosted the morale of several individuals to experiment. As a result India has seen a wave of startups in many areas. Until now startups took the risk on their own, with little help from the government. Of course, venture capitalist have begun to invest and promote Indian startups. Largely young entrepreneurs have embarked upon the entrepreneurship on their own. However, it is important that this culture is preserved, prevailed and promoted. There is no one better than the government to do so.
The Startup India – a visionary program of the Narendra Modi government – can succeed in giving the much-needed boost. The Startup India includes new policies and initiatives that are aimed at making it easier for investors and startup founders to incubate their venture in the country. It is expected that the initiatives can bring a wave of innovative startups in the country.
Startup India: 12 Big Announcements
In last few years, India has witnessed boom in the etail or ecommerce sector. Thanks to the startups which manifested risk-taking ability and defied the tradition by adopting innovative ways to run business. Because of their unprecedented feat, India could surpass China for the first time in the race to garner the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Ecommerce is one part of the story which certainly boosted the morale of several individuals to experiment. As a result India has seen a wave of startups in many areas. Until now startups took the risk on their own, with little help from the government. Of course, venture capitalist have begun to invest and promote Indian startups. Largely young entrepreneurs have embarked upon the entrepreneurship on their own. However, it is important that this culture is preserved, prevailed and promoted. There is no one better than the government to do so.
The Startup India – a visionary program of the Narendra Modi government – can succeed in giving the much-needed boost. The Startup India includes new policies and initiatives that are aimed at making it easier for investors and startup founders to incubate their venture in the country. It is expected that the initiatives can bring a wave of innovative startups in the country.
Startup India: 12 Big Announcements
- Rs. 10,000 crore fund for startups
- single point of registration for startups
- simplified regulatory regime based on self-certification
- fast-track mechanism filing patent applications
- credit guarantee fund for startups
- Three year tax exemption
- Startup India Hub
- Relaxed norms of public-procurement
- Faster exits for startups
- Atal Innovation Mission – Sector specific Incubators
- Encouraging Innovation among students
- An annual incubator grand challenge
Friday, 29 January 2016
Funding your startup: Crowdfunding vs. angel investment vs. VC
Raising capital for a startup has traditionally been one of the most difficult parts of getting your idea off the ground, but new technologies and platforms have given entrepreneurs a plethora of new ways to make that happen. Nowadays, there are more options than ever to get a new company funded.
"One of the really cool things that's happening right now is this massive proliferation of ways to start a company and ways to get your company funded," said Aaron Harris, a partner at Y Combinator.
New enterprises were once only birthed by born-wealthy proprietors, or business leaders who could roll capital over from another successful venture. As the venture capital industry began to grow, capital became available to innovators who wouldn't have had access to it before. Then, as angel investors grew in popularity, founders had a new way to get capital at an early stage where some VCs wouldn't tread. Now, consumer crowdfunding has added another layer to the investment equation for entrepreneurs.
As funding becomes more and more democratized, we are seeing what Harris calls, "the progressive elimination of gatekeepers." But, the process can still be difficult to navigate, especially if you are a first-time founder.
"Entrepreneurs, whatever they're doing and whatever company they're trying to start, they're so different," said Bobby Franklin, NVCA President and CEO. "Clearly, some of the funding routes that one might go would be better suited for one type of entrepreneur, or one type of idea, than another."
As Franklin noted, certain funding options will work best for specific types of companies. Here are the three most popular forms of funding and how to better understand them.
Read the post
"One of the really cool things that's happening right now is this massive proliferation of ways to start a company and ways to get your company funded," said Aaron Harris, a partner at Y Combinator.
New enterprises were once only birthed by born-wealthy proprietors, or business leaders who could roll capital over from another successful venture. As the venture capital industry began to grow, capital became available to innovators who wouldn't have had access to it before. Then, as angel investors grew in popularity, founders had a new way to get capital at an early stage where some VCs wouldn't tread. Now, consumer crowdfunding has added another layer to the investment equation for entrepreneurs.
As funding becomes more and more democratized, we are seeing what Harris calls, "the progressive elimination of gatekeepers." But, the process can still be difficult to navigate, especially if you are a first-time founder.
"Entrepreneurs, whatever they're doing and whatever company they're trying to start, they're so different," said Bobby Franklin, NVCA President and CEO. "Clearly, some of the funding routes that one might go would be better suited for one type of entrepreneur, or one type of idea, than another."
As Franklin noted, certain funding options will work best for specific types of companies. Here are the three most popular forms of funding and how to better understand them.
Read the post
Monday, 6 July 2015
Ten questions to ask before you buy a house
Despite the surge in buyer sentiment, real estate is still not a good investment in most parts of the country. Property price are still very high and despite the recent interest rate cuts, the cost of borrowing has not come down significantly. For potential borrowers like Mehta, a 15 basis point will shave off Rs 800 from the EMI of a Rs 80 lakh loan for 20 years. Is that a big enough reason for them to make the largest financial commitment of their life?
This week's cover story sounds a note of caution for investors in real estate. In the following pages, we have raised 10 questions that a potential buyer needs to answer before he takes the plunge. Don't get us wrong. We don't want to shatter your dreams to own a house. We just want you to take a reality check. Your answers will tell whether you are in a position to buy and if real estate is indeed the best investment option for you. If most of them are answered in a 'no', take a step back and revisit your plans. You may decide to save more for a bigger down payment, buy a smaller house, invest in a cheaper city or not buy at all. Whichever option you choose, rest assured, you will not regret your decision.
Read the full story published in ET dt. 6th Jul 2015
This week's cover story sounds a note of caution for investors in real estate. In the following pages, we have raised 10 questions that a potential buyer needs to answer before he takes the plunge. Don't get us wrong. We don't want to shatter your dreams to own a house. We just want you to take a reality check. Your answers will tell whether you are in a position to buy and if real estate is indeed the best investment option for you. If most of them are answered in a 'no', take a step back and revisit your plans. You may decide to save more for a bigger down payment, buy a smaller house, invest in a cheaper city or not buy at all. Whichever option you choose, rest assured, you will not regret your decision.
Read the full story published in ET dt. 6th Jul 2015
Indiaplaza.com: How an Indian e-commerce firm ran out of cash
Kothandaraman Vaitheeswaran and Indiaplaza.com, among the first e-commerce firms in India, survived the dotcom boom and bust but failed later due to lack of funds.
He had been contemplating it for a while.
After all, there is only so much a man can take.
The office rent was overdue. For three months. Almost Rs.6 lakh. The landlord had run out of patience. So had the 10-month deposit money for the lease. There was money due to suppliers as well—some 50 of them. Almost Rs.60 lakh. The suppliers had waited long enough. And now their pestering calls had taken a slightly demanding turn. Customers were complaining—on social media, review websites and to whoever cared to listen. They had ordered things and paid online, but they had not been delivered.
Suppliers wouldn’t ship incoming orders unless their dues were cleared. But customers didn’t care; they wanted to know why the products hadn’t arrived. They kept calling customer support, the office landline. Relentlessly. And they wanted their money back. But nobody would answer.
Over the last 18 months, almost 95% of the staff at Indiaplaza.com had quit. Taking up whatever assignment came their way, leaving behind a sinking ship where they were tired of delayed salaries, and for some months, no salary at all.
Kothandaraman Vaitheeswaran, the founder and chief executive officer of Indiaplaza, had nowhere to go. Nothing left. Except a modicum of dignity.
Read the story published in livemint.com on 3rd Jul 2015
He had been contemplating it for a while.
After all, there is only so much a man can take.
The office rent was overdue. For three months. Almost Rs.6 lakh. The landlord had run out of patience. So had the 10-month deposit money for the lease. There was money due to suppliers as well—some 50 of them. Almost Rs.60 lakh. The suppliers had waited long enough. And now their pestering calls had taken a slightly demanding turn. Customers were complaining—on social media, review websites and to whoever cared to listen. They had ordered things and paid online, but they had not been delivered.
Suppliers wouldn’t ship incoming orders unless their dues were cleared. But customers didn’t care; they wanted to know why the products hadn’t arrived. They kept calling customer support, the office landline. Relentlessly. And they wanted their money back. But nobody would answer.
Over the last 18 months, almost 95% of the staff at Indiaplaza.com had quit. Taking up whatever assignment came their way, leaving behind a sinking ship where they were tired of delayed salaries, and for some months, no salary at all.
Kothandaraman Vaitheeswaran, the founder and chief executive officer of Indiaplaza, had nowhere to go. Nothing left. Except a modicum of dignity.
Read the story published in livemint.com on 3rd Jul 2015
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
10 startups which are getting funds from Ratan Tata
Since stepping down from day-to-day responsibilities at the Tata Group, Ratan Tata has notched up 10 investments in startups.
Like the conglomerate, Tata's personal investment portfolio is also spread across India's hottest dotcoms, affordable healthcare and clean energy. The investments are typically between Rs 1-5 crore and made through RNT Associates.
Watch the Slide Show -- ET dt 5th Jun 2015
Like the conglomerate, Tata's personal investment portfolio is also spread across India's hottest dotcoms, affordable healthcare and clean energy. The investments are typically between Rs 1-5 crore and made through RNT Associates.
Watch the Slide Show -- ET dt 5th Jun 2015
How to fund your own startup
This deluge has lasted several years, but no one's complaining. It has been raining startups in India for the past 3-4 years and has swept away all divides. From bubbling graduates to brainy professionals, from salaried staffers to sparkling housewives, in metros and small towns, all are hopping on to the idea bandwagon. There seems to be no venture too wacky, no business plan too flaky to succeed.
In fact, India ranks fifth in the world in terms of startups, with nearly 3,100 currently in operation. " India is seeing high quality of entrepreneurs giving up large opportunity costs and it has never been witnessed before. This, combined with the Internet growth story, makes it a very attractive investment market," says Gopal Modi, President, Investments, Orios Venture Partners.
In tandem with the surging enterprise, funds are flowing in like never before and the country is buzzing with options—venture capitalists, angel investors, incubators and banks. Currently, the number of active investors in the country include 172 VCs, 43 angel investors and 48 incubators. As much as $4.75 billion of VC funding came through in 2014 and it has already touched $3.18 billion in 2015. Flipkart made the biggest splash with its two rounds of $1.7 billion funding, the highest in 2014, ..
The business environment is also turning more conducive, with the government setting up the MUDRA Bank, which offers a corpus of Rs 20,000 crore for small and medium enterprises. Besides, various banks and finance companies have stepped up to encourage the trend.
If this has got you fired up to launch your own enterprise, hold on. Stories abound of individuals who have raised millions of dollars with merely ideas and passion as collateral, but these often overshadow the struggle, sweat ..
Full Story from Economic Tims Published on 29 Jun 2015
In fact, India ranks fifth in the world in terms of startups, with nearly 3,100 currently in operation. " India is seeing high quality of entrepreneurs giving up large opportunity costs and it has never been witnessed before. This, combined with the Internet growth story, makes it a very attractive investment market," says Gopal Modi, President, Investments, Orios Venture Partners.
In tandem with the surging enterprise, funds are flowing in like never before and the country is buzzing with options—venture capitalists, angel investors, incubators and banks. Currently, the number of active investors in the country include 172 VCs, 43 angel investors and 48 incubators. As much as $4.75 billion of VC funding came through in 2014 and it has already touched $3.18 billion in 2015. Flipkart made the biggest splash with its two rounds of $1.7 billion funding, the highest in 2014, ..
The business environment is also turning more conducive, with the government setting up the MUDRA Bank, which offers a corpus of Rs 20,000 crore for small and medium enterprises. Besides, various banks and finance companies have stepped up to encourage the trend.
If this has got you fired up to launch your own enterprise, hold on. Stories abound of individuals who have raised millions of dollars with merely ideas and passion as collateral, but these often overshadow the struggle, sweat ..
Full Story from Economic Tims Published on 29 Jun 2015
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Redefining the digital divide
Access to the Internet has greatly expanded and the focus should now be on the willingness and ability of citizens to use it for productive purposes, according to a new report “Redefining the digital divide” published by The Economist Intelligence Unit. Current strategies for overcoming the digital divide do not necessarily address the underlying gaps such as affordability, usage and relevance of content, with country approaches varying significantly in terms of leadership, funding and technologies. The report, commissioned by Huawei, compares the strategies of Australia, France, India, Russia, the UK and the US. It includes a survey of 218 telecommunications industry executives and government policymakers.
The report’s key findings include:
Affordability remains a key obstacle to ICT adoption;
The urban/rural divide is a key concern, particularly the need for greater speeds outside major urban areas;
Policymakers and telecommunications executives are sharply divided on the key obstacles to solving the divide;
Funding is the biggest area of disagreement between the industry and policymakers; and
Competition is crucial but regulation is equally important.
Download the full report
The report’s key findings include:
Affordability remains a key obstacle to ICT adoption;
The urban/rural divide is a key concern, particularly the need for greater speeds outside major urban areas;
Policymakers and telecommunications executives are sharply divided on the key obstacles to solving the divide;
Funding is the biggest area of disagreement between the industry and policymakers; and
Competition is crucial but regulation is equally important.
Download the full report
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
10 investors in India startup ecosystem
The following are some of the investment companies specifically based within or quite prominent in the Indian startup circuit, in case you're looking to get funded, or just need an idea of what kind of investors, angel, seed fund, venture capitalist firms are out there in the Indian startup ecosystem.
Indian Angel Network
Nexus Venture Partners
Helion Venture Partners
The Morpheus
Seedfund
Canaan Partners
SAIF Partners
Lightspeed Ventures
Bessemer Venture Partners
Kae Capital
Read the full post
Indian Angel Network
Nexus Venture Partners
Helion Venture Partners
The Morpheus
Seedfund
Canaan Partners
SAIF Partners
Lightspeed Ventures
Bessemer Venture Partners
Kae Capital
Read the full post
Friday, 24 May 2013
6 Things to Know Before Applying to the Nasscom 10,000 Startups Program
The Nasscom 10,000 Startups program is inviting applications from entrepreneurs to pitch their startups to stand a chance to get funded, get access to mentors, park yourselves in a nice plug and play office and get some useful products from Microsoft and Google for free. Here are six things you need to know before you apply.
1. Process
2. Timelines
3. Eligibility for Nasscom 10,000Startups program
4. Partners
5. Benefits
6. Important Links: Website- www.10000startups.com & Learning center- http://www.youtube.com/10000startups
Full post
1. Process
2. Timelines
3. Eligibility for Nasscom 10,000Startups program
4. Partners
5. Benefits
6. Important Links: Website- www.10000startups.com & Learning center- http://www.youtube.com/10000startups
Full post
Friday, 1 March 2013
What Is Crowdfunding And How Does It Benefit The Economy
With the passing of President Obama’s JOBS Act this past April, the word of the day seems to be crowdfunding. While this concept has arguably been around for centuries, it is still formally recognized as a new industry to many consumers, particularly those outside the United States.
Crowdfunding is by definition, “the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.” Check out this video to get a clearer idea of the step by step process of crowdfunding.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
How to start a business with your own money
Boot in Profits: How to start a business with your own money
"There were others who had forced their way to the top from the lowest rung by the aid of their bootstraps."
When Irish author James Joyce penned this in his novel Ulysses (1922), did he know that bootstrapping, which means rising on one's own efforts and resources , would be more commonly used to describe the adventurous journey of a tribe of entrepreneurs.
As an increasing number of people want to be their own masters, new businesses come into existence. The Internet, being receptive to fresh ideas, is a fertile ground for experimenting with innovative products and services. Entrepreneurs are putting their ideas to test in the real economy of the virtual world; many turning those into successful businesses.
If you have an exciting idea that can be converted into a successful business, you don't need to depend on angels and venture capitalists for funding. Bootstrap, or start a business with your money.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)