The hits and misses of Budget 2020

If Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's latest Union Budget address is anything to go by, India's growing crop of tech-led startups are set to benefit from an improved operating environment.

Budget 2020-2021 provided more incentives for the Indian startup ecosystem including relaxed rules for Employee Stock Options (ESOPs), GST tax structure, and a seed fund to aid funding for early-stage startups.

And, it also laid special emphasis on the use of new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and quantum computing – a major positive for India's tech-oriented startups. On the other hand, this year’s Budget mentioned no structural measures to increase the fund flow into the startup ecosystem – a great need of the hour.

Here's everything Budget 2020 got right for Indian startups and areas it could have done a bit more.

Cigarettes, cooking oil to get costlier from April

Most industry experts expected Union Budget 2020-21 to be people-friendly and directed at increasing consumer spending. But, customs duty hikes on almost all items of daily usage indicate otherwise.

Meet the entrepreneur whose silver jewellery is worn by Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan

With a family tradition in silver dating back to 1897, Sangeeta Boochra launched her eponymous jewellery label with Silver Centrre in Jaipur. The well-known brand, often worn by celebrities to A-list events, is available offline and online.

How Sriram Kannan of Routematic is Uber-ising employee transportation

In this week's Techie Tuesday, we feature Sriram Kannan, Co-founder and CTO of Routematic, who impressed the likes of Blackberry and Vodafone with his no-GPS tracking software.

Khanak Design Studio is making fibre out of chicken feathers

Mudita and Radhesh Srivastava, who have a background in textile design, have found a way to make fibre out of chicken feathers. They founded Khanak Design Studio in 2018 to produce apparel from the innovative fibre.

MSMEs, small businesses react to Budget 2020 schemes, debt restructuring

Manufacturing and healthcare companies consider Budget 2020 a step in the right direction and NBFCs concur. However, gold jewellers and businesses struggling with compliance are concerned.

Power dressing is the key to looking good and feeling great

You may or may not be the boss but you can look like one. Take these pointers from style guru, Miss Malini.

These startups are working to raise awareness and help fight Cancer

To mark the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day, which is observed on February 4, YourStory has curated a list of startups that are working in the oncology and cancer diagnostics space.

Now get the Daily Capsule in your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter today!