India’s startup scene is booming, and the government’s Startup India program has a significant impact on this expansion. The plan offers new business owners a great opportunity with perks such as more straightforward rules, tax breaks, and ways to secure funding. These benefits make it easier for fresh entrepreneurs to get started. However, numerous startups miss out on these benefits, not because they’re ineligible but because of simple, avoidable errors during the application process.
This blog walks you through the most popular pitfalls planners make when applying for Startup India benefits. Whether you’re an initial entrepreneur or an experienced founder reviewing government schemes, staying clear of these missteps can save you effort, time, and, possibly, your eligibility.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Startup India Benefits
1. Burning Through Money Too Fast
Among the most significant startup mistakes is poor cash flow management. Nearly 82% of thwarted startups fail due to their inability to correctly handle their cash flow or the management of how much money is flowing in and out of the business. Without maintaining tabs on cash, it’s convenient for startups to burn through money extremely quickly by renting flashy office spaces, recruiting too many employees too quickly, or failing to track inventory, resulting in excess ordering or product losses.
To reduce this risk, it’s vital to schedule a budget that considers what you hope to bring in and the amount you’ll be spending. This can be a huge task, so working with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can be beneficial. You’ll need to keep track of inventory so you aren’t left with excessive products that won’t sell.
It’s also prudent to maintain some cash reserves, or savings, kept aside to help keep the business afloat if the early buzz around your startup wanes and leaves you with sluggish months. Prepare ahead for likely challenges. For example, if you’re selling a new type of drink cooler designed to store chilled beverages, you should be prepared for reduced sales during the winter months.
2. Deficient in the Right Team
Nearly 23% of startups that fail are related to team issues. This may be due to a lack of experience in new hires or founders, or it might be because early employees or co-founders don’t share the same goals or vision for the company.
You can anticipate some friction among earnest team members trying to cater to the startup’s goals. Still, if employees aren’t interacting respectfully or clearly, it can cause bigger issues for the startup.
Additionally, new companies must establish honest, inclusive, and dependable startup cultures that motivate employees to stay That doesn’t need to include free pizza and game rooms; instead, remunerating employees in a timely manner, offering prompt feedback, addressing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) issues, hearing and addressing concerns, and backing the team by providing the necessary tools can all aid in generating trust and respect for startups.
3. Hopping Contracts
You and your co-founders may count on each other sufficiently to make verbal agreements, or you may have superb vendor relationships that make you feel cozy working on agreements resolved in emails. But don’t halt there. Every deal you’re conducting should be secured with a contract.
Contracts serve to protect all parties in a deal, and you’ll require them when picking co-founders, working with freelancers, securing investors, and on any other occasion you’re conducting a contract or business agreement. In the absence of these legal agreements, all parties lie at risk, particularly if communication or trust breaks down afterward in the relationship.
4. Pricing Products Incorrectly
Regardless of how excellent your product is, pricing it extremely high or extremely low can harm your startup. When you price a product extremely high, potential customers may be less likely to purchase it initially. Those who buy may feel the product quality doesn’t quite complement the price they paid, which can prevent them from making another purchase. Thankfully, if you realize quickly that the price is too high, it’s simple to adapt and price your product lower moving forward after undertaking some additional market research.
However, if you price the product too cheaply, this can harm your revenue. You may be spending more to manufacture a high-grade product than you’re turning in. Or your audience may not rely on the fact that the product is as highlighted, instead feeling that it might be a scam or “so good that it defies belief.” Either way, if you attempt to raise the price afterward, it can also annoy customers who purchased early at the reduced rate, or else your target audience may already be cautious that the product isn’t excellent due to the initially low prices.
5. Absence to Create a Business Plan
As the adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Securing sufficient funding is among the most common startup mistakes, and it can often be attributed to a lack of a detailed business plan.
Approximately 33% of startups that undergo series funding ultimately reach or surpass Series A, the stage following pre-seed and seed funding. Why do numerous startups struggle to move ahead in these funding rounds? It can frequently be the case, even when the idea is exclusive or satisfies a specific requirement because the founders haven’t developed a permanent, sustainable business plan.
6. Absence of Market Research
You may have a fantastic idea, but if you attempt to introduce it into the wrong industry or market, it may fail You need to research your niche exhaustively, ensuring your brand stands out from your competitors and that your service or product is something people genuinely want to purchase to make their lives simpler or better.
Investing the time to research can help you avoid many probable startup mistakes, such as pricing the product too high or too low or marketing to the wrong audience.
7. Rushing to Recruit New Employees
While delegation is vital, startup founders should also be aware of the hiring process. Recruiting too many new employees too rapidly is a mistake for startups to avoid, as it can cause a higher burn rate, or how quickly a company is squandering money.
You may need assistance with administrative activities. Rather than recruiting a full-time, in-office staff, could a virtual assistant (VA) working on a freelance contract or part-time work help reduce the load on your plate?
Or, you may need to concentrate on your social media marketing efforts. Match the expenses of recruiting a third party, like an agency, to manage that for you, and the cost of recruiting an employee or a team to work in-house.
When you need to recruit employees, don’t just pick the initial few resumes that land in your inbox. Although you may feel a pressing need for someone’s help, your initial employees should also be an excellent fit for the startup’s culture and mission.
8. Not Heeding Customers
Particularly if you’ve established a strong, long-term business plan, you can devote considerable resources, time, and research to understanding your target audience and how your product can serve their needs.
However, don’t let this work prevent you from staying informed about what your customers are already discussing. The data is crucial, but it also ensures the review of feedback from your audience. Although the product is superb, your brand’s approach to engaging with potential clients and the overall customer experience can determine whether people are inclined to promote your brand or not.
Nearly 60% of firms that prioritize their clients are more profitable than their competitors, which demonstrates that listening to customers can truly benefit the business financially.
9. Underestimating Financial Requirements
Underestimating the present and future financial requirements of the business often coincides with the absence of a business plan. Perhaps you underestimated the amount of capital you needed to manufacture, develop, and ship your products, or you didn’t consider the expenses of a software subscription that you’ll require to operate.
Nearly 53% of firms underestimate the amount of money they require to meet expenses in their initial year of doing business. Almost 46% of companies are startled by how much they owe in taxes, another reason why working with a CPA can be beneficial to prepare you for these expenses. Shipping and technology are also key expenses that surprise businesses as they commence operations.
Although the process of registering under Startup India is comparatively simple, here are some popular mistakes to avoid:
- Incomplete Documentation: Cross-check all the documents before depositing them. Missing or improper documents can slow the approval process.
- Ineligible Business Structure: Ensure that your business is an LLP, Private Limited Company, or Partnership Firm. Sole proprietorships and other frameworks are not eligible.
- Not Comprehending the Eligibility Criteria: Ensure your business follows the eligibility criteria, such as business age, turnover, and innovation focus, prior to applying.
Final Thoughts
Every startup is bound to strike some roadblocks and commit some mistakes along the way. But some mistakes can be decisive, even causing failure, if you’re not cautious. By evaluating some of the popular errors, you can learn from your predecessors and avoid these issues rather than establishing a brand that can experiment and break its industry without the apprehension of failure.
