PANAJI
While Goa may be seen as an ideal location for start-ups, according to big wigs in the industry, scaling up is an issue for the State.
Speaking at a panel discussion held by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ahead of the launch of the ‘Start-up India Stand-up India’ movement, panelists from the industry including newly appointed IT Director Ameya Abhyankar highlighted how Goa was ideal for start-ups but owing to lack of land, failed in scaling up.
“Scaling up is just not going to work in Goa. Demographically it will put pressure on a State that will not be able to handle hundreds of people coming in. Small pocketed areas may survive but the issue is, there isn’t enough land either,” said Jose Manuel Noronha, chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and CEO, Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration (CIBA).
The focus, however, was shifted to the importance of incubation centers and their benefits to start-ups negating the problem of funding that usually plagued new companies.
“There are more incubators needed in the State. The government also has to focus on certain major aspects, mentorship, funding and the importance of building and developing their products,” said Abhyankar.
Currently, while Goa has all the requirements to be the best start-up, the only thing lacking was the infrastructure, he added.
He also raised the issue of women entrepreneurs and the need to make the ecosystem suitable for women to be able to strike a balance between their work and home life. Parvish Kamat, a woman professional in the State said, “The government needs to focus on being a hand holder and fill the gap with the process of mentoring.”
Emphasis was also laid on having special attention given to rules and regulations governing women entrepreneurs in the State.
Nikhil Hegde entrepreneur and co founder of 6 degree, a fashion talent platform formed in Hyderabad said, Goa had the best quality of life and start-up atmosphere.
“One of the biggest issues with a start-up is funding. What is needed is the right guy to back you up, and that is what we found in Goa,” he said.
