Assam’s Start-up Scene Gets a Boost as SIDBI Rolls Out New Credit, Venture Funding Measures

SIDBI has rolled out an exhaustive range of measures aimed at giving entrepreneurship a fillip and economic growth in Assam. Pradeep Kumar Nath, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI, shed light on the recent collaborative initiatives by the bank with the Government of Assam in an exclusive interview with Business North East (BNE). The focus of these efforts is on the empowerment of first-generation entrepreneurs and improving the region's start-up ecosystem.

"One of the strongest steps taken by SIDBI in the state is the launch of a 100 per cent credit guarantee scheme designed specifically for Assam. While other regions of the nation have a 75 per cent credit guarantee in the form of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), entrepreneurs in Assam will now be fully protected. This additional support is being made possible by a strategic collaboration between SIDBI and the Assam government, which has injected  Rs 100 crore into the CGTMSE. First-generation entrepreneurs tend to find it hard to get credit because they lack collateral and credit history," stated Nath, who further explained that the 100 per cent credit guarantee seeks to eliminate those barriers and provide a level playing field for new players in Assam's business environment.

In a follow-up action, SIDBI and the Assam Government together have initiated the Assam Start-up Venture Fund, a Rs 200 crore fund aimed at igniting the innovation-led start-up ecosystem of the region. SIDBI and the state government have each invested Rs 100 crore in the fund, which is likely to give a huge fillip to nascent entrepreneurs with scalable and technology-led business models.

"The fund will also be a driver to galvanise the local start-up ecosystem, giving financial support and the seriousness of investment required to attract subsequent investments," said Nath further.

Beyond start-ups and MSMEs, SIDBI is also broadening the scope of its financial support. Institutions such as schools, colleges, universities, and even construction companies are now eligible for financial assistance under SIDBI’s expanding portfolio. This move aligns with the institution’s vision to foster inclusive development and build critical infrastructure across sectors.

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These initiatives, although launched towards the end of the last financial year, are poised for major implementation and impact in the current fiscal year. SIDBI’s proactive approach and the Government of Assam’s committed financial backing underscore a mutual goal of transforming the state's entrepreneurial and industrial ecosystem.

With a combination of credit facilitation, venture funding, and sectoral expansion, SIDBI’s strategic interventions are well-positioned to usher in a new era of economic progress in Assam, ensuring that the region emerges as a vibrant hub for innovation and enterprise in the Northeast.