The start-up revolution has taken over the country. Started on January 16, 2016 as an initiative to push the spirit of ‘self-employment’, the leg up of Start-Up India has been phenomenal. The journey has witnessed a humongous share from Department of Industrial policy and Promotion (DIPP), under the able guidance of Ramesh Abhishek, to provide a structure to this developing start-up ecosystem.

India has now emerged as the third largest start-up base, and with this backdrop, NASSCOM initiated a twitter chat with Ramesh Abhishek, where SMEpost.com engaged to shed some lights on the one year of Start-Up India Action Plan. Excerpts from the conversation:

Q: Start-Up India anniversary celebration is a good time to do a reality check. How would you rate the initiative success?

A: We are constantly assessing our work. We have started many things and need to do much more!

.@NASSCOMStartUps #TheStartupRevolution We are constantly assessing our work we have started many things and need 2 do much more!

— Ramesh Abhishek (@rabhishek1982) January 24, 2017

Q: Why Start-Up India is only limited to urban areas as there is less number of start-ups coming from rural areas?

A: Start-Up India is open for all (irrespective of city) and we are seeing increasing interest from non-metro areas.

.@NASSCOMStartUps Startup India is open for all (irrespective of city) and we are seeing increasing interest from non-metro areas

— Ramesh Abhishek (@rabhishek1982) January 24, 2017

Q: Will you initiate a similar initiative for MSME sector in India? Or, you see them too benefiting from Start-Up India?

A: A different ministry is focusing on MSMEs.

@NASSCOMStartUps #TheStartupRevolution A different ministry is focusing on MSMEs..

— Ramesh Abhishek (@rabhishek1982) January 24, 2017

The Government has taken many steps in accordance with the plan. 300 centres for patent facilitation have been setup, where applications have already been screened for setting up of 500 tinkering labs and shortlisted for setting up 100 new incubators.

DIPP now looks forward to taking several steps to provide ease of funding to start-ups, as this remains the biggest priority of the government.

Terming the start-up sector as the biggest source of employment creation, DIPP Secretary Ramesh Abhishek says, “Priority remains to provide ease of funding to the new businesses.”

DIPP is actively engaged in hand-holding with 25,000 queries being directed to the Startup Hub to assist entrepreneurs.