Early-stage technology ventures in India : opportunities and issues

Abstract

High-technology Entrepreneurship has been a key driver of innovation and economic growth in the US. Aided by factors such as the success in IT and IT-enabled services industries and a booming economy, India has seen a sharp increase in activity in technology entrepreneurship. This thesis explored the opportunities and issues in building and growing technology startups in India. Money, market, manpower, and mentors were identified as the broad areas in which startups face challenges. The specific issues within these areas were analyzed from entrepreneurs' and investors' perspectives and potential solutions were recommended. While many of the issues faced by startups in India turned out to be similar to those faced by startups in the US, a few issues were found to be unique to India. The sources for data included in-depth interviews with participants in the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as existing research on entrepreneurship in US and India.