Blog: EmpowerMSME : partial launch as SETU

Wednesday 7 September 2022

EmpowerMSME : partial launch as SETU

Context :

Goyal launches SETU in US ; aims to connect Indian Startups with US investors

( MINT / 07 Sept 2022 )

Extract :

Union minister Piyush Goyal launched programme SETU, or Supporting Entrepreneurs in Transformation and Upskilling, in the Bay Area of San Francisco.

The initiative would connect startups in India to US-based investors and startup ecosystem leaders with mentorship and assistance in various areas including funding, market access and commercialisation.

SETU is designed to break geographical barriers between mentors based in the US who are willing to invest in entrepreneurship and sunrise startups in India.

The interaction will be supported through the mentorship portal under the Startup India initiative MAARG, or the Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth programme, which is a single-stop solution finder for startups in India.

The portal has been developed with the idea to be made accessible from every corner of the country to connect with a mentor. A mentor will offer human intelligence in guiding the startups.

The core functions of MAARG are :

Ø to improve ease of access,

Ø use Artificial Intelligence for Matchmaking,

Ø schedule meetings virtually,

Ø host master classes,

Ø provide a custom dashboard for relevant information, analytics, features, etc.,

Ø host cohort-based programs ,

- that will allow startup ecosystem enablers to be become a part of the program and enable outcome driven activities.

It is estimated that about 90% of the start-ups and more than half of the well-funded startups fail in their early days.

Lack of experience in handling the business is a key issue, and founders require the right guidance for taking a decision and moral support.

As India heads towards becoming a supreme startup destination, the right guidance at the right time is paramount.

The Indian government invites stalwarts, seasoned experts, and industry leaders to give back to the nation by adding value to a startup’s journey.

MAARG is inviting applications from mentors across the world. Till date, more than 200 mentors have been onboarded MAARG { dipp-startups@nic.in }

MY TAKE :

8 years ago, on 17 Nov 2914, I proposed EmpowerMSME.com , to the then

DIPP Secretary Shri Amitabh Kant through my following E Mails, :

Reminiscing : Some past E - Mails to Shri Amitabh Kant re : www.EmpowerMSME.com

Extract :

Dear Amitabh ,

BENCH-MARKING INDIA INC

Launching of MakeInIndia web site was a great initiative

It can be made greater if its scope gets expanded to enable millions of SME (

Small Medium Enterprises ) to quickly learn / absorb the best Manufacturing /

Management practices of India's most successful companies

Can they be persuaded to share these data by uploading on MakeInIndia web site ?

It is time to convert Private Intellectual Property ( PIP ) , into National Intellectual

Property ( NIP )

I am not suggesting that any Company should reveal any of its " Trade Secrets /

Patents "

But if MakeInIndia has to become a resounding success , successful companies

must undertake to mentor 25 million SME

hemen parekh / 17 Nov 2014

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Reply from Shri Amitabh Kant ( 19 NOV 2014 )

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Dear Hemen,

This is a mobile first initiative. The site has to be kept extremely light in content.

We will be happy to do it on DIPP.com.

Too much content will make it too heavy.

Regards,

Amitabh Kant

Dear Shri Piyush Goyalji,

Thank you for SETU, which will enable large / organized / successful companies

from USA to mentor our Indian Start-ups

However , I urge you to enable our very own successful Indian Companies to do

this “ hand-holding “ through launch of :

www.EmpowerMSME.com

- developed by L&T ( tested but not launched )

with regards,

Hemen Parekh

hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 08 Sept 2022

Ø MSME : Need Mentoring by Large Companies…………[ 06 July 2022 ]

Extract :

Dear Prime Minister ,

You have rightly emphasized :

Ø Empowering of MSME

Ø Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance

Ø Adoption of the latest technologies and innovation among MSMEs

Whereas there can be no doubt about the Government’s resolve to “ Empower MSME “ , what is urgently required is for country’s large / successful Companies to take on the responsibility of :

Ø Mentoring of MSME

Ø Passing on / Transferring to MSMEs, their best

business practices and documents

( Manufacturing – Marketing – Selling – Funding – Sourcing etc ) which they have evolved in-house over the decades after considerable “ trial and error “ and at huge costs ( Thousands of these are non-secretive and , sharing of which with MSME , do not harm the donor company’s interest, in any way )

Such pro-active “ knowledge transfer “ is possible through launch of a portal ,which was developed by L&T , some 5 years ago

( and, which can be “ launched “ within a week, if you so desire )

In this context my following write-ups will help the Government Secretary you select to implement this project :

Ø Reminiscing : Some past E - Mails to Shri Amitabh Kant re : www.EmpowerMSME.com