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Finance Startup

5 Financial Tips for Entrepreneurs Launching a Start-up

Building a company from the ground is one of the most difficult things to do. Starting your business venture can be daunting but a rewarding process. While a great business plan is imperative for entrepreneurs, financing is one of the most crucial elements that help a startup to succeed.

However, when it comes to financing management, the requirements of entrepreneurs are different. Not only an entrepreneur lacks the stability of predictable incomes, but they also have different spending decisions.

Securing funding to launch a startup can be difficult. More often than not entrepreneurs use their savings to start their business.  While this act showcases their immense commitment, it impacts their finances, and in few cases, leads to a severe cash crunch.

According to a report published on Inc42.com, in 2016, the major reason behind a large number of startup shutdowns was due to lack of funding. In 2017 lack of market demand was the major reason for the startup shutdowns.

Another report by NASSCOM states that around 25% of Indian startups shutdown untimely, due to failure in raising follow-on funding rounds majorly beyond Pre-Series A.

Good and effective management of finances can make a huge difference between a business that keeps climbing the ladder of success and one that falls at the very first challenge.

Here are 5 financial tips that would help every entrepreneur or small business owner manage their finances better:

  1. Create an Emergency Fund

A contingency or an emergency fund is created to provide financial security in desperate times. This fund helps an organization to meet large expenses in unforeseen circumstances. Ideally one should have six months of living expenses as a contingency fund.

If you own a business, it is suggested to create a larger emergency fund, in case your business has seasonal cash-flow fluctuations. It is best to build such a fund and invest it in a debt mutual fund as it will give far better returns than a savings account and help you encounter unforeseen challenges.

Having an emergency fund will also give you peace of mind and you can make more confident decisions for your business.

  1. Costly Credit must be avoided

Credit is the lifeblood of any business, especially for startups. Hence, entrepreneurs need to keep their credit scores high. Always pay your bills on time. Never miss a payment or delay the payment date, even if you are facing a financial crunch.

The cost of credit is a critical factor, when it comes to financing your business, especially in the initial months of operation. In the beginning, when the business has not even reached the break-even point, the financing of the business should be done keeping the interest cost at the bare minimum. This will reduce cost and attain profitability.

Also, keep your credit utilization ratio under consideration. The credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available credit limits that you are borrowing during the month. Keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30% will help you to maintain a better credit score.

  1. Keep personal & business account separate

It is wise to keep your business and personal bank account separately. It will not only provide the benefit of easier accounting at the end of the financial year for tax purposes but will also eliminate the cash crunch situations in business caused due to withdrawals for personal expenditure.

  1. Bad Debts

Debts that cannot be recovered are called Bad DEBTS. When credit sales are not recovered, bad debts are created. Entrepreneurs should eliminate the situation of a fund crunch in business due to withdrawals for personal expenditure. Instead, these debts should be repaid in the next year so that a healthy financial position of the business can be showcased in front of potential stakeholders.

  1. Develop Financial Goals

Keeping the in-flow and out-flow of your finances is extremely important.  Planning a year for large expenses in advance can help small business owners to reduce the financial burden. If your future business goals involve the expansion and the launch of new products or services in the market, it is essential to plan everything related to finances.

If you are not sure how to manage your finances or how to ensure a strong financial future, you can also take the help of a certified financial planner. A financial advisor can also help you to build a strategy to meet your business objectives.

Instead of investing all your profits back into your startup venture, save for your future by investing your funds into multiple investment schemes. From stocks to mutual funds there is a wide array of investment schemes available. You do not have to invest every last penny into your business, save for your future as well.

If you can improve your finances with a better emergency fund, a solid credit score, and a strong portfolio of retirement savings aside from the equity that you own in your business, you can run your startup with a more focused and peaceful mind.

And for business owners, who are some of the busiest people in this world, having financial security is truly priceless. Are you planning to launch your dream startup business, but worried about managing your finances?

Get practical solutions easily with our ‘Everything about Entrepreneurship’ that includes step-by-step learning strategies, action plans, frameworks that are designed to empower you with various business functions. To know more about this course, click here: https://www.badabusiness.com/?ref_code=ArticlesLeads

Do you have any other financial tips for our entrepreneurs? Share them with us in the comment section below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Finance

No Complete Ban on Cryptocurrency or Blockchain And Fintech: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, March 17: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday, March 16, 2021, cleared that there will be no complete ban on cryptocurrency or blockchain and fintech. The minister said that a Cabinet note will all details will get ready soon.

“My view on this is that of course the Supreme Court had commented on cryptocurrency and while the RBI may take a call on official cryptocurrency but from our side, we are very clear that we are not shutting off all options,” Sitharaman had said at an India Today conclave.

She said that people will get adequate time to experiment with bitcoins, cryptocurrency and blockchain. “We will allow a certain amount of window for people to experiment on blockchain and bitcoin. However, the what formulation of cryptocurrency will be part of the Cabinet note which will get ready soon,” Sitharaman said.

Currently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) do not have a legal framework to regulate cryptocurrencies. Recently RBI governor Shaktikanta said that the RBI has certain “major concerns” regarding the financial stability of cryptocurrencies.

The apex court had virtually banned cryptocurrency trading in 2018. However, Supreme Court last year struck down RBI’s banking ban on digital currencies, terming it unconstitutional.

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Business motivation Finance

India Ready To Offer Incentives to Tesla for Cheaper Production Costs Than China

New Delhi, March 3: Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that India is ready to offer cheaper production than China to Tesla Inc if the electric carmaker commits to set up a plant in the south Asian country. This development comes after billionaire Elon Musk’s firm registered a company in India in a bid to enter the local market.

According to a report by Reuters, Tesla is planning to import and sell its Model 3 electric sedan in India. Gadkari said that instead of importing, the carmaker should make the entire product in the county. “Then we can give higher concessions,” he said.

“The government will make sure the production cost for Tesla will be the lowest when compared with the world, even China when they start manufacturing their cars in India. We will assure that,” the transport minister was quoted as saying by Reuters.

In 2020, only 5000 electric vehicles were sold in India due to poor charging infrastructure. Whereas, in China, Tesla sold 1.25 million EVs. Gadkari said that India is a big market and could also be an export hub. “I think it’s a win-win situation for Tesla,” the union minister told the news agency. The minister, however, did not give particulars of what incentives would be on offer.

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Finance

3 Common Mistakes every Beginner should avoid while investing in Stocks

Piyush, who is an architect by profession, has always invested in schemes that are risk-free. Recently, his friend Hemant told him about his income generated through Mutual Funds. Piyush decided to take a shot at mutual funds.

Piyush replicated his friend`s portfolio and invested his money. To his disappointment, Piyush did not make as much money as his friend did. He also suffered losses. So what could be the reason behind Hemant making a profit in the same scheme, while Piyush suffered losses?

Piyush committed one mistake while investing in stocks that most Indians make. However, it is better to understand these mistakes initially to prevent losses in the future.

Here is a list of some of the most common mistakes that everyone must avoid while investing in stocks:

  1. Lack of Planning

Seasoned investors play their game in the market based on facts and figures. However, this is where a beginner can go wrong. Guessing and blindly investing in stocks might appear to be performing well. However, the absence of proper planning and vague end goals can result in a chaotic mess. Always check the financial data of the company you are planning to invest in and then make informed decisions.

  1. Decision-based on Personal Bias

Being biased can never be beneficial, be it any aspect of life. And the stock market is no exception! Many beginners or first-time investors tend to either buy only companies that are known or the companies they like.

This is not the best way to invest your money in the stock market. The companies you like or know may not be performing well. This way you can also risk your profile or your financial goals.

  1. Short Term Focus

If you have a notion in your mind that investing in the stock market will make you rich quickly then this is another mistake that you must avoid. Having a short-term goal can leave a huge impact on your investment decisions. Avoid taking rash and uninformed decisions as it can likely result in losses.

These three mistakes are the most common ones that every first-time investor makes initially. Trading in investing and equity in the financial markets requires in-depth knowledge of the stock market.

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Finance

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Says He Will Never Buy Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies Should Be Ban

The digital token, Bitcoin, recently hit an all-time high of USD 58,332.36. However, this was not enough to allure ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. On the trading of bitcoins, the big bull told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” that he would never invest in the cryptocurrency.

“I won’t buy Bitcoin even for $5. In the world, only the sovereign has the right to create currency. The dollar move of 1-2 per cent is news but here the fluctuation is 10-15 per cent in a day, hence the speculation is the highest,” Jhunjhunwala said.

He said that he will never buy bitcoin in his life and “cryptocurrencies should be banned.” The investor further said that India’s regulators should step in and keep bitcoin out.

In 2021, bitcoin surged more than 90 per cent. The spectacular run was due to increased adaption of the digital token by major investors and companies, including Bank of New York Mellon and Elon Musk’s Tesla. There is no decision on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by India’s regulators, but there is speculation that the Centre is planning to ban all private digital currencies and launch its own official virtual currency.

“A high-level Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Economic Affairs) to study the issues related to virtual currencies and propose specific actions to be taken in the matter recommended in its report that all private cryptocurrencies, except any virtual currencies issued by a state, will be prohibited in India,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said during the Parliament Session.

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Finance

4 Effective Bookkeeping Tips for Small Businesses

For business to be successful, it needs to record all its economic transactions chronologically without any emission or omission in the entry book. It helps a business to keep a tab on its dealings as well as inflow and outflow of the financial resources. Here, bookkeeping comes into picture. It undertakes the recording of financial transaction and involves preparing source documents for all transactions that are economic in nature, operations, and other dealings of an enterprise. It is not merely restricted to big business houses, forming the foundation of accounting bookkeeping are used in small as well as medium level business firms and non business enterprises. 3 Top Investment Schemes in India to put your money at!

For small businesses as well, a sound bookkeeping is an important prerequisite to keep all the financial transaction in check. It helps in regular valuation of the assets, tab on debtors and the borrowing activities of the firm. Bookkeeping also helps in keeping a check of embezzlement of funds and money laundering by an employee if any. Here are some tips for bookkeeping for small business:

Keep Personal and Firm’s Account Separate

The first and foremost principle of bookkeeping is to have a separate account of the business and the owner for financial purposes. Following the accounting principle of Separate Legal Entity, the accounts for both the entities should be different. All the transaction related to business should be done through enterprise’s account and not the owner’s personal one. 4 Smart Ways to raise fund for your startup without Investors.

Record Transactions Chronologically

One of the most prominent features of bookkeeping is that all the transactions are recorded timely and regularly. Ideally, all the dealing and financial events are recorded in the books of accounts on the day their occurrences. It also includes the accounts which are debited and credited after a transaction and a brief description about it. It helps the business to look for and clear discrepancies if any.

Organise Business Documentation

Various transactions are substantiated with relevant business documents including vouchers, bills, receipt among others. These works as an evidence to the transaction and provide various essential details about it such as the parties to the deal, date and time of the transaction, amount involves other terms and conditions if any.

Review the Records

To ensure that no fraud or miscalculation is taking place, a firm should keep reviewing its records on a regular basis. It helps business to evaluate all its transactions and accommodate for any omission or error in recording. It also enables the owner to keep a tab on expenses, account receivables, debtors, accrued income and other important accounts.

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Finance

4 Smart Ways to raise fund for your startup without Investors

Building a business from the ground up is often very hard. To build it without the initial capital investment from the investors can be even harder. It may take a little longer, but starting a startup in India without the burden of investors can yield benefits that outweigh the cons.

You can be in complete control of your destiny, and can quickly change the business direction whenever it`s needed. Here are 5 ways in which you can do fund-raising for business without investors:

  1. Do not quit your Job

Since starting a startup business in India without investors can leave you with a lack of funds, it is always a cool idea to continue with your day job. This will give you the advantage of saving your salary.

  1. Government Loan Schemes

Whether you want to start your business without an investor or unable to find one, you can still fulfill your entrepreneurial dream, thanks to government schemes. To focus on ‘Make in India’, the government has started a few loan schemes.

Schemes like CGTMSE, MUDRA, and Stand-up India can provide you collateral-free debts and can get access to low-cost capital.

  1. Use your Revenue to do Fund Raising

Not all startups are pre-revenue generators. Many startups have customers and monthly revenue, so why not plan smartly and use that money to grow faster. A Revenue Based Loan can turn your revenues into growth capital and can help you to do fund-raising without an investor.

  1. Crowd Funding

You can also raise money through crowd-funding. Crowd-funding refers to raining money from a large number of people who contribute with a small amount of cash. The process of crowd-funding is typically done via online platforms.

Make Necessary Sacrifices for Business

A business is like a baby! Hence, be ready to give all your time and attention. Not just that, you must be willing to make sacrifices to free up your time.

As an entrepreneur, you may want to taste success as soon as possible. However, patience is the virtue that makes any business successful. You may feel challenged at the initial stage of building a start-up. If not prepared, you may have to suffer losses too. Hence, get all the information and knowledge from the industry experts.

Learn from their experience to take your business ahead with our Everything about Entrepreneurship course. To know more, click here: https://www.badabusiness.com/?ref_code=ArticlesLeads

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Finance

3 Top Investment Schemes in India to put your money at!

While growing up, for the longest time, most of us believed that the money plant in our house will grow cash for us in the future. Though, it would have been great had that belief was true, the reality remains the same- we all want to see our money grow!

So, if you are looking to grow your wealth, investing your money in different schemes can be a brilliant option provided you make the right investment decision, at the right time.

India is a land of savers and not many investors. According to a report by New Indian Express, ‘only 2% of the Indian population participates in equity markets directly or through mutual funds due to their risk-averse nature.

Most of the Indians are always on the look-out for a high-return, low-risk combination in an investment plan. Unfortunately, it does not exist, at least not in the real world.

So does that mean you should not invest? Certainly not! Here are 3 top investment plans to look at while reaching for your financial goals:

  1. Debt Mutual Funds

Do you want steady returns? The Debt Mutual Fund schemes are for you! These schemes are less volatile and involve less risk as compared to equity funds.

Debt mutual fund primarily invests in fixed-interest generating securities like government securities, corporate bonds, commercial paper, treasury bills, and other money market instruments.

  1. National Pension System (NPS)

Managed by the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA), NPS is a long-term plan focused on retirement. This investment scheme is a mix of equity, corporate bonds, fixed deposits, government funds, and liquid funds among others. The minimum annual contribution has been reduced to INR 1,000 for an NPS Tier-1 account to remain active.

  1. Public Provident Fund (PPF)

The Public Provident Fund is one of the most popular investment schemes that every Indian turns to. The scheme has a long tenure of 15-years. Thus, it offers huge tax-free compound interest. One of the major reasons behind its popularity is that it is a safe investment as it is backed by a sovereign guarantee.

Some of the above-mentioned schemes are fixed income while others are linked with the financial market. Where fixed-income schemes help to preserve your savings, market-linked investments offer high returns and high risks too.

However, for a long-term financial goal, it is important to make use of both worlds. Hence, make informed decisions by keeping time duration, taxation, and risk in mind. You can understand the in-depth stock market knowledge with our problem-solving courses. To know more, click here: https://www.badabusiness.com/psc?ref_code=ArticlesLeads

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Finance

SMBs in India To Benefit As Google Announces Rs 109 Crore for Small and Micro Enterprises in the Country

New Delhi, February 18: With an aim to support small and micro enterprises (SMBs) in India amid the COVID-19 pandemic, tech giant Google on Wednesday said it would give $15 million to Indian SMBs. The amount that has been announced by Google for businesses in India is nearly Rs 109 crore. Reports inform that the investment is part of the $75 million commitment from Google to help small businesses outside of the US. “In India, we will invest $15 million to support small and micro enterprises across the country and are in discussions with local partners,” the company said in a statement.

Google said it is working with non-government partners who have a long track record of providing resources to businesses that are generally overlooked by traditional lenders. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Google had announced a $200 million investment fund as part of its more than $800 million commitment to support small businesses. In a statement, Google said it has had a special relationship with small businesses around the world – helping them scale, innovate and reach new customers. “With today’s announcement, we’re proud to help them meet a new challenge — accessing capital needed to recover and build resiliency for the future,” the tech giant said.

In July 2020, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, had announced a ‘Google for India’ digitisation fund through which, the company will invest Rs 75,000 crore or approximately $10 billion over the next five to seven years to help India go digital. During the ‘Google for India’ virtual conference, Pichai had said, “We will do this through a mix of equity investment, partnerships, and an operational infrastructure ecosystem in India. This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy”.

 

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Finance

5 Schemes to Financially Empower Women Entrepreneurs in India

The start-up ecosystem has been blooming in India without any gender disparity, more and more women are also establishing and running their own businesses successfully and independently. In many sectors, the women-led businesses have outshone the male ones. Even the government through its various organisations, several private and public sector banks and other non-banking financial institutions are progressively supporting the women-led initiatives. They are providing loans and funds at easier and flexible terms of repayments and lower interest rates to female entrepreneurs so that they easily overcome the financial bottlenecks and a smooth and efficient functioning of business is undertaken.Women-Led Businesses in India Get Major Boost As Visa Announces Grants To Empower Budding Businesswomen.

Here are 5 schemes to financially empower business women :

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

Under this central government scheme, loans ranging between Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 Lakh are offered to women entrepreneurs at easy terms of repayments. It is managed by the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) and offers loans to production, trading and service sector businesses.

Stree Shakti Package For Women Entrepreneurs

Under this scheme offered by the State Bank of India, women who have at least 50 per cent of the ownership stake can avail a discounted rate of interest by 0.50 per cent if the loan amounts is Rs 2 Lakh or more. The applicant should however taken part in state run Entrepreneurship Development Programmes.

Orient Mahila Vikas Yojana Scheme

Under this scheme offered by the Oriental Bank of Commerce, women who have at least a 51 per cent of the ownership stake can avail loans ranging from Rs 10 Lakh to Rs 25 Lakh without any collateral security. With a payback period of seven years, a concession of up to 2 per cent is also given on the loan. Business Confidence in India Improves As Economic Activities and COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Gathers Pace: NCAER Survey.

Stand-Up India

Under this scheme offered by the Small Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI), loans are offered to manufacturing, trading and service sector businesses. Loan amount ranging from Rs 10 Lakh to Rs 1 Crore are offered to the applicant. It can be repaid within seven years from the date of issue.

Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

Under this scheme, loans are offered up to Rs 20 Crore for businesses in the manufacturing and production sector. It also provides, a concession up to 0.25 per cent on the interest rates is also provided. Under it, one can avail a loan up to Rs 1 Crore without any collateral security.