Economic reforms that were introduced in the year 1991 started creating enormous opportunities to entrepreneurs. Liberalisation reforms created new challenges such as providing finance to small and micro enterprises, increasing competitive strengths in startups, upgrading technology, enhancing productivity, improving quality in production and management, etc. Thereafter, several measures to address these challenges. However, the growth of entrepreneurship was at a snail pace.
The inculcation of entrepreneurship in youth of India gained momentum after 2014. NDA government at centre, under Sri Narendra Modi’s stewardship, introduced several attractive schemes to motivate youth and women to take to entrepreneurship. These initiatives provided a platform to startups to emerge in a big way. As of this date (2026) fifty plus schemes are on to encourage startups and unicorns.
Entrepreneurship is an activity, which needs creativity and enthusiasm to run the business. Entrepreneurs should have self-confidence at its height to face unforeseen challenges that crop up as business moves forward. To motivate young minds at the learning stage, universities of Karnataka and other States have introduced “Entrepreneurship Development” as a subject of study at degree level. In this context, “Entrepreneurship and Start-ups” book is written in a simple style with required content. It is student-centric. This work covers topics on Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Small Scale Industry and Business Structures, Start-ups, Business Idea Generation, Implementation and Business Plan and Government Initiatives & Funding Agencies for Startups. Graded questions and skill exercises are given at the end of each chapter. This book covers the B.Com SEP syllabus of fourth semester of Bengaluru North University, and can be studied by the B.Com, BBA, M.Com and MBA students of other universities of Karnataka. We hope that students enjoy reading this book.
Contents –
UNIT – 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurs: Introduction, Meaning, Definitions, importance, types and functions – Factors influencing entrepreneurship – Qualities of a successful entrepreneur – Entrepreneur v/s Manager – Role of entrepreneur in Economic Development.
Women Entrepreneur: Meaning, Definition, Importance – Associations promoting women entrepreneurs – Problems and Challenges of women entrepreneurs
Rural Entrepreneur: Meaning, Definitions, Importance of rural entrepreneurs – Problems and Challenges of rural entrepreneurs
UNIT – 2 SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS STRUCTURES
Small-scale industry, Tiny, Ancillary, Cottage Industries: Meaning, Definition & Importance – Product range – Ownership pattern of smallscale industries – Advantages of small-scale industries – Role of smallscale industry in economic development – Problems faced by SSI – Policies governing SSI’s
UNIT – 3 START UPS
Start-ups: Introduction, Meaning, Definition, Characteristics, Types, Objectives, Scope & Functions – Eligibility Criteria for start-ups – Standup India – Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) – Steps in starting new venture – Location, clearances and permits required – Licensing and registration process – Start-up life cycle – Challenges faced by Start-ups in India
UNIT – 4 BUSINESS IDEA GENERATION, IMPLEMENTATION AND BUSINESS PLAN
Idea Generation: Meaning & Steps in Idea Generation
Business Plan: Introduction, Meaning, Definition, Importance – Preparation of Business Plan – Typical format of Business Plan – Financial, Marketing, Human Resource, Technical and Social Aspects of Business Plan – Common pitfalls to be avoided in preparation of Business Plan
Types of New Age Business: FinTech, EdTech, HealthCare, Agri Tech, Defence, IT, Space, Robotics, Digital Transformation (concepts only)
UNIT – 5 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & FUNDING AGENCIES FOR START-UPS
Government Initiatives and funding agencies for Start-ups: Handholding, Funding /Incentives – Incubation Centres: Meaning, Objectives, Services, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups, Tax Exemptions & Legal support by government, Other State Initiatives to support start-ups – Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana – Venture Capital Schemes – Angel investors (concepts only) – Support for International Patent Protection in Electronics & Information Technology (SIP-EIT) – Extra Mural Research Funding
