New Delhi, February 9: With an aim to help startups grow in India, IT industry body Nasscom said that a holistic plan is needed to spur domestic funding for startups in the country. India must increase its pipeline for domestic funding which will fuel innovation for India and help create sustainable jobs. At a panel discussion on IT initiatives announced in Budget 2021-22, Debjani Ghosh, President of software association NASSCOM said that Indian companies and domestic investors need to be encouraged to invest in startups.

The startups in India are competing at a global level, and their competitiveness and success, to some extent, hinges on attracting and retaining good talent, she said and added that ESOPs (employee stock ownership plan) was one such tool used by startups.

Indian startups are competing at a global level, and their competitiveness and success, to some extent, hinges on attracting and retaining good talent, she said and added that ESOPs (employee stock ownership plan) was one such tool used by startups.

The top official added saying that a level-playing-field must be ensured between them and foreign investors The measures announced in the Budget for startups are steps "in the right direction", given the importance of this ecosystem and its vital role in fuelling innovation and sustainable jobs, she said.

In the Union Budget 2021, the government has proposed to incentivise incorporation of one-person companies (OPCs) and extend certain tax exemptions by a year for startups, steps that will promote entrepreneurship and encourage NRIs to invest.