OCTOBER 20259But the real cosmic kick?Collateral-free loans doubled to 20 crore under the Credit Guarantee Scheme, easing capital crunches for bootstrapped behemoths. Angel tax clarifications dissolve investor hesitancy, while quarterly GST filings for under- 5 crore turnovers lighten the load for nascent stars. For VCs, expanded IPO/M&A approvals and 100% FDI in insurance open wormholes to global liquidity. These aren't incremental tweaks they're tectonic shifts, with awareness amplified via Budget apps and founder forums, ensuring even rural rockets align their trajectories.Ravi Agarwal, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Cellecor, says, "The new GST rate cut from 28 percent to 18 percent is a progressive reform as it will make electronic items like televisions, air-conditioners, and other appliances significantly more affordable for millions of Indian households".Why fixate on Budget alone when GST 2.0's meteor shower is the unsung hero?Launched amid display, this reform condenses slabs to 5 percent (essentials like soaps, toothpaste, and Indian breads), 18 percent (aspirational goods like electronics and small cars), and 40 percent (sin luxuries like tobacco). Effective September 22, 2025, it slashes rates on 200 items 90 percent from 28 percent to 18percent, 99 percent from 12 percent to 5 percent unleashing consumption tsunamis.Reforms Radiating Across the Startup Spectrum2025's tax tap isn't sector-agnostic, it's a tailored tango, harmonizing fiscal frequencies to amplify each industry's vibe. Here's the cosmic chorus:Fintech: Lower GST on financial services and insurance premiums (potentially to 5 percent) sparks transaction booms, while Budget's digital payments push and R&D funds supercharge AI-driven lending. Cash flows improve via inverted duty corrections, letting fintechs like Paytm pivot from compliance quagmires to innovation orbits. Healthtech Healing: GST cuts on medical devices and insurance unlock mass adoption, with Deeptech allocations fueling biotech breakthroughs. Awareness via Poshan 2.0 programs educates founders on exemptions, benefiting players like Practo in scaling telemedicine constellations. Edtech: Though not directly slashed, 0-5% on educational essentials (stationery, tech tools) boosts affordability, paired with tax holidays extending learning platforms' lifespans. Byju's-like entities gain from R&D incentives, with awareness campaigns illuminating Section 80-IAC paths. Agritech: Inverted duty fixes on equipment free capital for IoT sensors and drones, while Dhan Dhanya schemes inject funding. Startups like Ninjacart thrive
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