Abhishek Dua, Co-Founder & CEO of Showroom B2B
“The focus on MSMEs as India’s ‘second engine’ in the budget is a game-changer. With over 5.7 crore MSMEs contributing significantly to both manufacturing and exports, the enhanced credit facilities, technological upgrades, and the expansion of investment and turnover limits are set to propel these businesses to new heights. This, in turn, will catalyze innovation and create a robust ecosystem for employment, empowering India’s youth while reinforcing the country’s position as a global manufacturing hub.”
“The Finance Minister has set a bold vision—MSMEs as the second engine of growth. With MSMEs contributing 45% of exports, the sector’s importance cannot be overstated. The government’s decision to enhance classification limits and provide term loans up to ₹20 crore is a significant step toward unlocking this potential.
The introduction of customized credit cards for micro-enterprises is a thoughtful intervention, addressing the critical need for working capital. These measures, combined with the push for Industry 4.0, signal a clear intent to modernize India’s manufacturing sector and integrate it into global supply chains. The focus on youth participation in Industry 4.0 is particularly noteworthy. “
Eklavya Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Recur Club
The recent announcements in the budget underscore India’s commitment to becoming a magnet for foreign investment. The establishment of the Fund of Funds and the focus on public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects are key drivers of this strategy. It demonstrates a clear intention to bolster investor confidence and create an ecosystem that fosters sustainable growth while encouraging both domestic and international capital to flow into India’s high-potential sectors.
Deepanker Mahajan, Co-Founder and CEO, CoverYou
“This 2025 budget definitely lays a strong foundation for the future of India’s healthcare and insurance sectors. The addition of 10,000 medical seats this year, with a vision for 75,000 over the next five years, is a decisive step toward bridging the doctor-patient gap and ensuring equitable healthcare access. The establishment of 200 cancer daycare centers will be life-changing for millions, strengthening India’s fight against non-communicable diseases. For the insurance industry, the proposal to raise the FDI limit to 100% signals a new era of investment and innovation. This will not only expand coverage options for healthcare professionals but also ensure that doctors, hospitals, and patients have access to world-class insurance solutions. As the healthcare sector evolves, comprehensive insurance will be the backbone of a more protected and resilient system. We believe these reforms will empower India’s medical community while driving a stronger, more inclusive healthcare infrastructure. A thriving healthcare sector needs financial strength, and this budget takes us one step closer to that goal.”
Kashika Malhotra, Head of Business Development and Director of Brandman Retail
“The Union Budget 2025 brings a significant boost to India’s retail and footwear sectors. The dedicated scheme for the footwear and leather industry, aimed at creating 22 lakh jobs, generating ₹4 lakh crore in revenue, and increasing exports to ₹1.1 lakh crore, directly supports the ‘Made in India’ vision by strengthening local manufacturing. This creates a favorable environment for licensing strategies, helping international brands collaborate with Indian manufacturers to produce locally and expand their reach. The National Manufacturing Mission further enhances India’s manufacturing capabilities, improving global competitiveness. Together, these initiatives will drive long-term growth, support the ‘Make for India, Make for the World’ vision, and open up new market opportunities in the retail and footwear sectors.”
Rajesh Patel, Co-Founder & CEO of Snowkap
“The government’s initiative to strengthen clean tech manufacturing is a crucial step toward creating a sustainable and self-reliant energy ecosystem. By supporting the domestic production of solar cells, EV batteries, wind turbines, and grid-scale storage, this plan will help reduce the carbon footprint of energy generation while lessening reliance on imports. The focus on fostering innovation and R&D in clean technology is key to driving energy efficiency, creating high-value jobs, and positioning India as a leader in green technology. The emphasis on policy support and financial incentives will accelerate the shift to low-carbon operations across industries and promote sustainable industrialization.”
Vaibhav Khanna, CEO & Co-founder of Ezstays
The government’s commitment to strengthening India’s education infrastructure is evident in the expansion of IITs established after 2014. As part of this initiative, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that IIT Patna will undergo significant capacity expansion, alongside efforts to accommodate an additional 6,500 students across five IITs. The addition of new hostels and infrastructure will not only enhance student housing but also ensure that more students have access to quality education in a well-equipped learning environment. With Patna emerging as a key education hub, such developments will further encourage academic excellence and position India as a global leader in higher education. This strategic push towards educational and housing infrastructure will also contribute to the Viksit Bharat vision, fostering skilled and empowered youth who will drive the nation’s growth in the coming decades.
Urbanization with proper planning and world-class infrastructure is crucial for driving India’s holistic development and ensuring that growth reaches every corner of the nation. The government’s decision to allocate ₹1.5 lakh crore in interest-free loans and implement a structured 3-year PPP pipeline for infrastructure is a strong step toward this goal. Investing in urban development will not only modernize our cities but also create significant trickle-down effects—boosting employment, enhancing quality of life, and attracting global investment. If executed effectively, this initiative will be a key driver in realizing the Viksit Bharat vision, positioning India as a global leader in sustainable and inclusive urban growth.
“The announcement of a fresh ₹10,000 crore fund for startups and a dedicated scheme for 5 lakh women and first-time entrepreneurs from SC/ST communities is a step in the direction of making a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Still, the biggest barrier remains access to capital for women and marginalized entrepreneurs. This move, therefore, opens up tremendous avenues for innovation and job creation. I believe this is going to drive not only more women-led businesses but also inspires the next generation of leaders to dream bigger. Real progress happens when entrepreneurship isn’t a privilege but an access point for everyone, and hopefully, this move comes with streamlined execution to amplify its impact.”
Sourabh Deorah, Co-founder & CEO, AdvantageClub.ai
“The Union Budget 2025 brings a much-needed shift in India’s tax framework, starting with the exemption of income tax up to ₹12 lakh. For millions of middle-class taxpayers, this isn’t just a tax break—it’s more money in their pockets. With higher disposable income, consumer spending is set to rise, which in turn can fuel demand across industries, drive business expansion, and create more job opportunities.
Tax compliance is also getting a major upgrade with simpler TDS and TCS mechanisms. For startups and SMEs, often burdened by administrative red tape, this will ease compliance and free up resources for core business activities. Reduced compliance costs mean better cash flow management and a business environment that encourages investment and growth.
Given that MSMEs contribute nearly 30% of India’s GDP, these changes will help them reinvest in their operations and scale faster. And it’s not just about domestic growth—tax simplification strengthens India’s position as a top destination for global investments. These reforms make it easier for businesses of all sizes to thrive, which is crucial as India aims for the $5 trillion economy milestone.
This Budget clearly emphasizes ease of doing business and long-term growth. It’s laying the groundwork for an innovation-driven economy that supports both businesses and individuals. And with the New Income Tax Bill set to be presented next week, we can expect further steps to simplify the tax structure and bring more clarity for all stakeholders.
These are more than just policy changes—they’re a sign of India’s growing commitment to fostering sustainable business growth, innovation, and prosperity. It’s a step toward a future where both entrepreneurs and everyday citizens can thrive together.”
“Announcing a Deep Tech Fund of Funds is a game-changer for India’s startup landscape. Deep tech startups often have long gestation periods and need significant R&D investments. With this fund, startups no longer have to rely on thin air and hope to fuel innovation. It fits perfectly with India’s ambitions to lead globally in areas like AI, quantum computing, and other cutting-edge technologies.
This fund, backed by an additional ₹10,000 crore contribution, is poised to help deep tech startups scale faster, attract world-class talent, and drive breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and biotech. These sectors hold the potential to shape the future and transform industries, so timely support like this is critical for sustainable growth.
Just as important is the extension of tax benefits under Section 80-IAC for five more years. Startups can now focus on innovation and scaling without the fear of fiscal constraints holding them back. This breathing room can make a huge difference, enabling founders to take bold risks without worrying about financial pressures derailing their progress.
The government’s ₹91,000 crore commitment to Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) further reinforces its dedication to creating a world-class startup ecosystem. This isn’t just about access to capital—it’s about building trust and confidence. India is positioning itself as a global powerhouse for both entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
Another notable step is aimed at micro-enterprises. Custom credit cards with limits of ₹5 lakh are being rolled out for businesses registered on the Udyam portal. With 10 lakh cards expected to be issued in the first year, this initiative will provide much-needed liquidity. For many micro-enterprises, scaling up or innovating is often hindered by cash flow issues. This move could be the key to unlocking their next phase of growth.
These measures go beyond mere policy announcements. They signal a bold vision for India’s startup ecosystem—one that supports both large-scale deep tech players and grassroots innovators. With this level of support, we’ll see a wave of Indian entrepreneurs building sustainable, globally competitive businesses. The long-term impact of these initiatives will be transformational, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Kahraman Yigit, Co-founder & CEO of Olive
“The Union Budget 2025-26 recognizes tourism as a key driver of employment-led growth and extending infrastructure benefits to hotels in 50 select destinations is a welcome move. The sector anticipated infrastructure status, GST reforms, tourism incentives, and increased investment in travel infrastructure to drive growth and ease financial access. The focus on spiritual and medical tourism, visa waivers, and regional connectivity through the UDAN scheme will further boost domestic and international travel, unlocking new opportunities for the hospitality sector. At Olive by Embassy, we see these initiatives as a step toward creating a more vibrant, accessible, and investment-friendly ecosystem for hospitality in India.”
Introduced in 2019, Olive by Embassy is the co-living and hospitality wing of the Embassy Group. Olive is a multi-brand hospitality tech operating platform with multiple revenue avenues from management, design and technology.
Olive’s vision is to organize & institutionalize the accommodation market in India and beyond. The company’s mission is to become the largest hospitality company in India.
The company is currently present in 42 locations across Bengaluru, and Goa, with 1,921 keys and is aiming to add another 4,500+ keys within the next 12 months, including entry into new markets like Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Currently, Olive runs four brands — Olive Life, Olive Zip, Olive Hotel, and Select Olive — ranging from co-living and budget stays to luxury resorts, hotels, and villas. Each Olive property operates in both short-term and long-term stay formats while providing the comfort of the home as well as the flexibility of a hotel.