SIDBI boosts its startup funding operations as a part of 'Fund of Funds for Startups'

With the Centre approving Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) follows suit by beefing up its startup funding operations to boost the sector.

SIDBI has ramped up the startup funding operations to boost 'Startup India' initiative with the launch of funds like Unique India Aspiration Fund and Fund of Funds operations, SIDBI Chairman and Managing Director Kshatrapati Shivaji said.

The lender has, so far, supported 95 funds, including 11 regional funds, with an aggregate commitment of Rs 2,576 crore.

The Cabinet's approval for establishing FFS will help enhance the scale of operations under its Fund of Funds activities, with a deeper engagement with startup ecosystem and boost ambitious Startup India initiative. SIDBI would be using its expertise built over the years and address major challenges being faced by startups in the country at present. Under FFS, Rs 500 crore has already been released to the corpus in FY 2016 and Rs 600 crore has been earmarked for FY 2017 by the government, he added.

Based on withdrawal of around Rs 1,065 crore, so far from the aggregate commitment, these funds have invested in 714 enterprises with an equity support of Rs 9,520 crore out of which Rs 4,794 crore were invested in 604 MSMEs, a bank statement said.

Also read : Govt passes Rs 10,000-cr corpus ‘fund of funds for startups’ to generate 18 lakh jobs

In line with the objectives of Startup India Action Plan and to accelerate its operations, the Venture Capital Investment Committee (VCIC) has considered proposals from 16 venture capital funds for contribution under the proposed FFS, the CMD added.

Out of 16 venture capital funds, SIDBI has already committed Rs 215 crore to five venture capital funds with aggregate corpus of Rs 2,200 crore. Contribution to balance 11 venture capital funds are under different stages of sanction, for sanction of Rs 394 crore, he added.

Few days back, the Central government had approved a Rs 10,000-crore ‘Fund of Funds for Startups’ to support startups with an aim to generate employment for 18 lakh persons.