Entrepreneurship in India–Complete History, Evolution and Transformation

The growth and transformation of entrepreneurship in India began in the early times when the ‘barter system’ was a common means of exchange. However, before proceeding, let us understand what entrepreneurship is and who entrepreneurs are.

Entrepreneurs are those individuals or groups who create new businesses and job opportunities. Entrepreneurship is the ability of an entrepreneur to run and operate a business with goal-oriented objectives. In this article, we will focus on the following:

• Evolution of entrepreneurship and their classification into different areas.
• The importance of entrepreneurship in India
• The need of entrepreneurship

Evolution of Entrepreneurship in India

Medieval Age

To discuss the growth or development of entrepreneurship in India, you must understand that India has one of the oldest and most civilized business histories. During the Harappan civilizations around 2700 BC, there was an internal and external trade culture. Also, due to this, most foreign countries recognize Indian entrepreneurial skills.

Moreover, the increase in trade occurred during the era of Mughal rule. The popularity of Indian products, arts, crafts, Vedic tools, foods, and much more attracted attention from different parts of the world. The Arab mainland, western colonial counties and African countries were the major parties involved in the trade.

At the same time, different countries like UK, France and Portugal expanded their colonies in different parts of the world. However, a significant entrepreneurial change occurred when the East India Company started its business from the Bay of Bengal and later occupied parts of Bengal. It indirectly linked the entire Indian state into one business ecosystem.

There were some major downsides to the colonial mindset of England. However, it also played some good aspects in developing entrepreneurship in India.

Modern and pre-independence

This was the era of industrialization in India, where some of India’s best entrepreneurs rise. The major events changed the face of entrepreneurship in India.

• The first cotton textile mill was revolutionized in 1854 by an Indian entrepreneur, Kawasji Dover. It was one of India’s boldest steps in the modern development of entrepreneurship development.
• Jamsetji Tata founded the company Tata Group in the year 1868. With the foundation of the Tata Group, he has created a bar for entrepreneurship development in India.
• 1874 Cotton Mill by JRD Tata, TISCO by Dorabji Tata, 1932 Tata Airlines, Tata Steel Plant, and more were high-rate businesses in India. At the same time, it has also played a major role in various independence initiatives.

Post-independence

Entrepreneurship in India, along with the national economy, was ground-breaking after independence. There was not much left in the Indian economy at that time. However, the government took major steps to support India’s development which is as follows.

• Prime Minister Nehru adopted the economic structure line of the Soviet Union. It gave a major push to the New Industrial Policy of 1956. Similarly, this policy liberalized the bar and standards set by the British government, which were the ultimate impediment to industrial development.
• Economic reforms were carried out in the initial phase of governance. Also, prominent economists adopted the Mahalanobis model, which primarily aims to support entrepreneurs.

As all these influential policies were in operation, few major industries were established as opposed to the traditional textile and natural resource industries. Since independence, there was a huge growth in entrepreneurship in India.

However, it may seem that most of the top entrepreneurs were already in business. But the reality was different. Economic policies were not giving much support to the entrepreneurs, due to which there was rough growth. However, the transformation of entrepreneurship began in 1990.

Also, Women entrepreneurship in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, empowering women to become leaders in diverse industries and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic development

Transformation of Entrepreneurship in India

The major transformation of entrepreneurship in India began with the ‘Economic Policy Reform’ in 1991. The policy was further expanded in 2022. So, you can easily categorize the major transformation of entrepreneurs in India by these two policies and events.

New Economic Policy

The New Economic Policy of 1991 was a huge turning point. This policy has included three major aspects, which are as follows.

Aspects	Role
Liberalization	Providing some provisions in different parts of the industry It boosts the private sector, including banks and the stock market
Privatization	Disinvestment of Public Firms to reduce the burden Promote the national entrepreneurs for good business
Globalization	Welcoming FDIs, and FPI Creating SEZ and Economic Corridor for foreign companies

These were the most important of all the major aspects involved in the new economic policy. However, all of them played an important role in developing entrepreneurship in India. Some of the benefits that this policy replaced are as follows.

• It gives a green signal to private banks and non-Indian banks to operate without any disruption. It was the only reason for the huge circulation of money in the economy. And finally, it increased loans and supported new entrepreneurs.
• Due to the policy, foreign companies can find the best option to invest their money. This boosted huge FDI and FPI in India and helped in understanding new and advanced technology.
• Rise of India as a tech hub in the startup world where Indian tech people were the best choice for US, UK, France and other country projects. At the same time, it also revolutionized the world of technology.

Aftermath

The major objective was economic reform, which has also served in the transformation of entrepreneurship in India. Before the policy, India’s entrepreneurship was based on the model of traditional industries and agro-industries.

However, after the implementation of the policy, major changes were seen in the technology. The rise of Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, and more. Also, in automobiles, Maruti, Tata, Mahindra, Bajaj, and more were emerging. But there is a limitation to this policy as it favours a lot of big companies and does not give a chance to a small and new startup to take off.

Growth of Startups

In 2016, startups started to grow. There are some key aspects of this startup initiative whose main objective is to provide and lend support for entrepreneurship development in India. By the year 2015, startups were rampant in India. Moreover, India is also known as the ‘poster child of an emerging market’. Some of the key aspects of the 2016 Startup Initiative are as follows.

• The MSME ministry swung into action by supporting small and micro startups and firms.
• The Make in India initiative allows entrepreneurship to live in India and work on its growth.
• The NITI Aayog scheme was also launched. Its objective is to develop skills and provide training to become a skilled resource.

New innovators and potential entrepreneurs are helping their businesses in the Indian market daily. If you consider the growth of entrepreneurship since 1990, you will see a sharp growth every year.

The current Indian entrepreneurship world is becoming a highly favorable market for any company to invest in. Also, most Indian companies have marked their potential in international trade and shown the growth of entrepreneurship in India. However, among all other top start-ups and companies, the IT sector of India is on the boom. It alone handles a large part of the development of the entrepreneur representing India.

Shark Tank India

Shark Tank India, the entrepreneurial reality show, has not just entertained viewers but has sparked a revolution in the country’s startup culture.

The show provides a platform where dreams are pitched, ideas are analyzed, and the future of aspiring entrepreneurs is determined. The show has become very popular among the Indian audience, striking a chord with those who are passionate about entrepreneurship.

In a country where the startup culture is flourishing, Shark Tank India has emerged as a catalyst for change. The show provides a platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas to a panel of industry titans, offering a rare opportunity for mentorship, investment, and growth. The show unveils the hard work, perseverance, and determination that goes into establishing a business from scratch.

The show has become a beacon of hope for those who are undecided about embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. It proves that with passion, creativity, and strategic thinking, dreams can indeed come true.

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Startup India

The ‘Startup India’ initiative was launched by the Government of India on January 16, 2016, with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup culture in the country. The initiative was unveiled by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The launch of ‘Startup India’ marked a significant step towards creating a more favourable environment for startups to thrive.

The Startup India initiative came with a comprehensive action plan outlining various measures and policies to support startups. This included initiatives related to simplifying regulatory procedures, providing financial support, offering tax incentives, and promoting innovation and skill development.

Contributing to the GOI’s vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the ‘Startup India’ initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, to position India as a global hub for startups.

Here’s how the initiative benefits the startup culture in India and contributes to the well-being of the youth:

1. Ease of Doing Business

‘Startup India’ focuses on simplifying and streamlining regulatory processes, making it easier for startups to register and operate. This reduces hurdles and encourages more aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap of faith into starting their businesses.

2. Access to Funding

The initiative aims to provide easier access to funding by establishing a dedicated fund for startups. It encourages financial institutions and investors to support innovative ideas and early-stage companies, helping them scale and grow.

3. Tax Benefits

Startups registered under the initiative can avail various tax benefits, including exemptions from capital gains tax, tax holidays, and a reduction in compliance costs.

4. Skill Development and Training

The initiative emphasizes skill development and training programs to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and skills to run successful businesses. The initiative has also launched the ‘Startup India Learning Program’. The program aims to help entrepreneurs get their ideas and ventures to the next level through structured learning. The program covers lessons on key areas of entrepreneurship by 40+ top founders of India in an extensive 4-week Program.

5. Market Access

The initiative facilitates market access for startups by connecting them with potential customers, both within India and globally. This helps startups scale their operations and tap into larger markets, contributing to their overall success.

6. Networking Opportunities

‘Startup India’ fosters a collaborative environment by promoting networking opportunities through events, conferences, and industry interactions. This enables startups to connect with mentors, investors, and other entrepreneurs, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Indirect Effects of Entrepreneurship on the Economy

The indirect effects of entrepreneurship are not so visible, yet they are equally important for economic development. The following are indirect effects:

Money Flow in the Market

The flow of money in an economy is as important. The more it flows, the healthier the economy. Enterprises help in the flow of money in the market by creating employment and increasing production and consumption.

Infrastructural Development

Start-ups thrive in the ecosystem. When an ecosystem is formed in a particular city, there is an increase in the infrastructure of the city or particular area. For example, startups growing in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi. These cities were developed strategically to create a better environment to support start-ups to meet the need for entrepreneurship.

Indirect Employment

Direct employment is the employment created by entrepreneurship within the business. But it is not the only employment. Entrepreneurship also creates a lot of indirect jobs. For example, in an area like Powai in Mumbai, infrastructural development creates a need for hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc.

Increase in Related Services

When entrepreneurs grow and expand their operations, it requires many services. These services may be outside their core expertise. For example, an ed-tech start-up would require several services like human resources, marketing, consulting, legal services, etc. Therefore, when the number of entrepreneurs increases, so does the demand for related services.

Importance of Entrepreneurship to the Economy of India

Entrepreneurship is important because it improves the standard of living and generate capital. Let us look at some of the reasons for the importance of entrepreneurship.

Economic Development by Entrepreneurs

It shows the importance of entrepreneurship in the best possible way. New products and services produced by entrepreneurs can fuel the economic development of the companies concerned. This is also true for areas that need to support new business.

For example, the boom of IT industries during the 1990s. The industry grew rapidly and it helped many other businesses. Businesses have grown in related sectors, such as call centre operations, network repair firms and hardware suppliers.

Contribution of Entrepreneurs to National Profit

Entrepreneurial projects help create fresh wealth. Established companies may remain confined to existing markets and reach a threshold in terms of profits. Better goods, services or technology from businesses enable the development of new markets and the creation of new wealth.

Entrepreneurial projects help create new capital. Better goods, services or technology from businesses enable the development of new markets and the creation of new wealth. Also, higher income in the form of increased jobs and higher tax revenue and expenditure leads to better national income.

So, this importance of entrepreneurship helps in making the national income of a country. The government will use these proceeds to invest in the country.

Social Change by Entrepreneurs

This importance of entrepreneurship breaks with tradition and reduces reliance on outdated systems by providing unique products and services. This will improve the quality of life. Such as the smartphone industry continues to grow, tech entrepreneurship will have a huge, long-term impact on the planet.

Also Read: 6 Types of Entrepreneurs

Need of Entrepreneurship for Economic Growth

Entrepreneurship is an instrument of social change and economic development. Entrepreneurs firmly believe that it is entrepreneurship that will beat and transform the market with new-age technologies.

The following factors define why entrepreneurship is needed in economic development.

1. Innovation

Innovation is the primary element of entrepreneurship. New-age entrepreneurs are passionate about innovations in technology and business models. Some of the primary examples of this are Airbnb, Innova8, Ola, Zinerr etc. These companies not only bring innovation in technology but also created unique business models that never existed before. It helps in making your life much easier.

Policymakers of an economy consider innovation while creating a road map for the country’s economic development. Innovation creates market ease and new opportunities and encourages consumption. Therefore, entrepreneurship in India is important as it inspires innovation.

2. Employment

Employment is an important factor in the development of any economy. A low employment rate indicates the poor health of an economy. An economy needs to generate more jobs and wage opportunities to accelerate growth. It plays an important role in job creation.

The bigger the enterprise, the more job and salary opportunities are created. Therefore, the need for entrepreneurship in India becomes important for economic development.

3. Living standard

The standard of living is, in a way, directly proportional to employment. Because employment pays people, they spend their money on the purchase of goods and services. Therefore, the consumption rate increases in an economy, and so does the production rate. This eventually raises the basic wage, and people become able to consume higher quality goods and services.

If entrepreneurship in an economy is sector agnostic, it will go a long way in raising the standard of living of the people. Therefore, the need for entrepreneurship in India becomes important for overall economic development.

4. Social change

Social entrepreneurship is a modern term that encourages entrepreneurs to bring about change in society. For example, crowdfunding companies are usually involved in social work such as raising funds for NGOs. Their businesses bring positive changes to society. They not only help the needy but also spread social awareness.

A prosperous society facilitates the path of community development. Therefore, the need for entrepreneurship in India is important as it brings together social reform and economic development.

5. Research and Development

Research and development are the progress of innovation. When an entrepreneur comes up with innovative ideas and builds a business from them, they need to continuously develop their innovation to keep up with the market and improve the user experience. As the enterprise grows, they spend more resources on research and development, which leads to technological progress.

Technological advancement not only supports a particular company but the entire nation. It contributes to the growth of science and technology. The economy further utilizes these developments to implement in various sectors to make progress. Therefore, the need for entrepreneurship in India is necessary for the progress of science and technology.

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Changing Face of Entrepreneurship in India

Entrepreneurship in India was on a rough path. Moreover, after independence, it had a terrible impact. However, with policies and hard work our country was able to overcome it at one point in time. Now with an innovative mind, India is gaining dominance in the market. And entrepreneurship opportunities will increase in India.

For policymakers and business owners, it is essential to consider the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development. Knowing the pros and cons of entrepreneurship makes it possible to adopt a balanced approach. An approach to developing the importance of entrepreneurship, which can have positive economic and social impact.

Conclusively, we can look at various practical, direct and indirect factors that come into effect due to entrepreneurship. And why entrepreneurship is essential to an economy. We should not underestimate the impact of entrepreneurship on the economy. Entrepreneurship in India leaves a positive impact on the economy.

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