The Union ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is working for Public Sector Enterprises to achieve the target of 20% procurement of their annual purchase from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE). Inaugurating the three-day Vibrant SME 2016 Industrial Expo and Growth Forum in Chinc…
Ola is testing bike taxi service in Bengaluru
India’s largest cab aggregator Ola is testing a service to provide bike taxis in Bengaluru, close on the heels of its main rival Uber which recently launched a similar service in the city. The service, the latest from the Ola stable following the launch of a shuttle-bus as well as an auto-r…
Uber to mentor start-ups
In sync with ‘Startup India’ initiative, app-based taxi-hailing service provider Uber on March 3 said it would mentor and help 10 start-ups with funding under ‘UberExchange’ programme. As many as 750 start-ups are participating in the programme. The company will host six l…
Aahaa.in raises Rs 6.7 crore from YourNest Angel Fund
Aahaa.in, an online platform for sourcing consumables for businesses, has raised about Rs 6.7 crore ($1 million) in pre-Series A round from YourNest Angel fund and a consortium of investors. The platform, which has been live for 16 months, currently works with Ashok Leyland, Wipro and other store…
Hyperlocal firm Zopper acquires software company EasyPoS
Hyperlocal discover and buying platform for electronics Zopper has acquired point of sale (PoS) software company EasyPoS in a mixed cash and equity deal, valuing the company at Rs 33 crore ($5 million). The move is directed at raising additional revenues through the PoS solution and increasing st…
Nanobi analytics helps clients make informed decisions
A Bengaluru-based startup is helping businesses, both small and big, to understand raw data to make informed decisions for as low as Rs 2,000 a month. It offers analytics ‘apps’ on a Google Play Store-like platform that clients can use as per their requirements. The idea struck Mahesh…
A new hope eMERG(es) for women entrepreneurs
eMERG (Engineering Manufacturer Entrepreneurs Resource Group) was established in 2006, when seven women from the fields of electronics, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing came together to equip women with skill capabilities that would help them join the industrial workforce. Of the seven f…
Despite high target, Mudra refinance to remain low
Even as the government has set a lofty target of Rs 180,000 crore of loan sanctions under its Mudra Yojana, the actual refinance by Mudra, Non-Banking Finance (NBFC) arm of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), will be not more than Rs 4,000 crore this year. In the 2015-16 budget,…
New technology centers to be set up in 15 states
At least 15 new technology centers will be set up across the country under the Technology Centre Systems Programme, Minister of State, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Giriraj Singh, said in the Rajya Sabha on March 3. The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Med…
Budget evokes mixed response from MIA
The Union Budget has evoked mixed reactions from the Mysore Industries Association (MIA). It has said that the budget provided measures for the overall economic development of the nation, but had nothing in specific for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Vishwanath, MIA Presid…