Category: Finance

Finance

Factoring In The SME Sector

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India Factoring and Finance Solutions — a joint venture NBFC between Punjab National Bank, Malta-based credit institution, FIM Bank Group, Italy-based Banca IFIS and Blend Financial Services of Mumbai — is in the business of ‘factoring’ – providing trade finance services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small-scale industries with a special focus on the ever-increasing international (export and import) and domestic factoring.

India Factoring CEO Sudeb Sarbadhikary talked to BW’s Tanushree Pillai about what ails the SME sector and what needs to be done.

Click Here for the interview

Business Ideas, Finance, Motivations

Call for proposals in communications

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Dear NGO Colleagues,

The NGO Relations would like to bring to your attention to the  first-ever Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) call for proposals in communications, launched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will be funding up to 10 “game-changing” ideas to help solve one of the greatest challenges  faced in the development community: changing the conversation around foreign aid. 

The goal of this challenge is to solicit new approaches to communications that motivate the public in the wealthy countries of the world to change their minds about aid, and take actions to demonstrate their support. The development community has traditionally focused on the “why” of aid. But most people already believe it is the right thing to do.  We must do a better job of explaining the “how” and the “what” (How exactly does aid work? Where does the money go? How is it used? What impact does it have on communities?).

The challenge wants to find revolutionary ways to make these issues matter deeply to the global community,  inspired by projects that allow anyone– no matter where they live or what their background– to take part.
 
You can find the call here: http://www.grandchallenges.org/pt .

Anyone with a great idea is encouraged to apply. The submission process is simple, requiring just a two-page proposal. Instructions can be found here: 

http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Topics/Pages/GHCommunicationsRound9.aspx

The call will close on May 15, 2012. Up to 10 Phase I grants of $100,000 USD will be awarded within just a few months. The Cannes Lions Chimera, a special panel made up of the best talent across advertising, media, and technology, are advising the programme, and will mentor the winners as they develop their projects. (More information on the Chimera can be found here: www.canneslions.com/chimera)

Each of the Phase I grant-recipients will have one opportunity to apply for a follow-on Phase II grant of up to $1,000,000 USD.

We hope you will be encouraged to possibly  participate.

Good luck!!
Best regards and best wishes
Yours Sincerely,

NGO Relations, DPI
United Nations
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection

Finance

3 Numbers All Entrepreneurs Should Know

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To make good decisions, you need good data. That’s a given, right? But in a start-up, what data should you be looking at?

In the early days of a startup, sometimes there isn’t much to measure. A comparison of this year’s sales compared to last year’s isn’t all that helpful if you’ve only been around for eight months. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start collecting data right away.

Check out these 3 major figures

1. Pipeline coverage

2. Sales per employee

3. Customer payback period

Click Here for full details

Business Ideas, Finance, News

Start Coffee Roasting, Grinding & Packaging Units

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TAKE A STEP FORWARD. START COFFEE ROASTING, GRINDING & PACKAGING UNITS.

Demand for coffee in the country has been growing very fast. Traditionally only South Indian States were considered as the market for coffee. In recent years coffee has acquired a national presence and demand for coffee is growing much faster in the non-south regions. Between 2003 and 2009 the coffee consumption has grown in the non-south regions @42% annually while it has grown by 3,5% p.a in the southern states. There are exciting business opportunities for coffee processing units especially in non-southern states.

Coffee Board provides 25% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs 25 Lakhs per unit to individuals and firms and 40% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs 40 Lakhs per unit to the self help groups and growers collectives or co operatives-on the total cost of the equipment.

The eligible items for support are Roasting, Grinding and Packaging machineries all together or either Roasting or Grinding machinery along with Packaging machinery.
Existing units can also avail this benefit for addition of any of the components.
Eligible Capacities of Machinery Roaster of 10kg per batch or more capacity. Commercial grinder of 15kg or more per hour capacity Packaging Machines (pedal sealing, continuous sealing, filling and Sealing form fill and sealing automatic or semi automatic Nitrogen flushing and sealing machine, amniotic and semiautomatic Vaccumissing sealing machine) are eligible for subsidy under the scheme.

Please obtain complete details of the scheme and the detailed conditions of eligibility, application procedure etc by accessing ‘Support for Coffee Processing’ from Coffee Board website www.indiacoffee.org.

Business Ideas, Business Plans, Calendar, Finance

Pioneering Spirit

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If you are an entrepreneur looking to blaze new trails with your business, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Share your business story today for a chance to meet business icons face to face, impress them with your pioneering spirit and unique business plan to win:

 A sponsorship by Canaan Partners to a business programme at Cambridge
A coveted mentorship from The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)
A Lufthansa Business Class return ticket to a destination of your choice in Europe 

In the extremely successful Season 2, ten entrepreneurs like you were selected as ‘pioneers of tomorrow’ and received the invaluable benefit of a TiE mentorship as well as a free Business Class ticket.

You could be next.

Click Here to Register Now

Calendar, Finance

SME Finance & Investment Summit

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About the Summit

The Banks and Financial Institutions are the only sources of funding and financing for the growth of industry, SME Sector and other enterprises for business expansion, diversification and development. Also currently the NBFCs and HNIs are keen to invest and finance in the growth oriented SMEs and industries.

Due to ever increasing cross border business transaction around the world, corporate and SMEs are on the constant look out for profitable investment opportunities. This results in many joint ventures and other forms of collaborations. To meet the fund requirements for expansion and diversification, SMEs should understand and tap the various avenues like venture capital, private equity and SME Stock Exchange.

SMEs deserve encouragement and support from the Banks and Government agencies to adopt and obtain new facilities for their business growth. The SMEs should take advantage of various facilities by understanding and approaching the concerned authorities. The latest technologies, marketing strategies, innovative ideas, IT solutions and financial products are the main areas on which SMEs should focus constant attention for sustained development. Many SMEs are not aware as to how to take advantages of numerous opportunities and various support services available to them for their business and growth.Read More…

Finance

BSE launches SME Exchange

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The Prime Minister’s Task Force (Jan. 2010) has recommended to set-up a dedicated Stock Exchange/ Platform for SME. SEBI has also laid down the regulation for the governance of SME Exchange/Platform. Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd, an Exchange which has founded the equity cult in the country has witnessed many companies becoming big from small by raising funds from Capital Market. We therefore understand the importance of setting-up an Exchange for Small and Medium Enterprises. BSE is however keen on setting  up an exchange for small and medium enterprises. The necessary changes and amendments are being made in the rules, bye-laws and regulations of the cash market for making a provision for SME exchange.

Benefits of Listing at BSE SME Platform

  1. Access to capital and future financing opportunities
  2. Increased visibility and prestige
  3. Venture Capital (VC)
  4. Liquidity for shareholders
  5. Create employee incentive mechanisms
  6. Facilitate growth through Mergers and Acquisitions
  7. Encourages Innovation & Entrepreneurial Spirit
  8. Efficient Risk Distribution

Click Here for more details

Finance, Motivations, News

Support for SMEs through Incubators

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Government of India – Development Commissioner(MSME) – Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises

Scheme for Providing Support for
“Entrepreneural and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators”

INVITATION FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

About the Scheme: The scheme provides early stage funding for nurturing innovative business ideas (new/ingenious technology, processes, products. procedures, etc.), which could be commercialized in a year.

Level of Funding: About Rs.66.28 lakh for 10 business idea @ Rs 6.25 lakh per idea and Rs 3.78 lakh for infrastructure support, training etc.

Who can Apply: Any Technical/Management Institutions, Universities etc having established in-house support services and facilities with experienced/devoted faculty who can nurture/mentor innovative business idea
that are at near commercialization stage.

How to Apply: The Organization/institutes should submit the proposal on or  before 15-04-2011 in the prescribed application format to the Development Commissioner (MSME), 7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi- 110 108. Each
institute is expected to recommend 10 business ideas after they are recognized as one of the host institution of this department to implement the scheme.

 

For details of the prescribed application formats for institutions, guidelines of the scheme and other details, please visit our web-site at http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/schemes/SUPPORTFOREMDTI.html

 

For any turther information and clarification please contact Dr. Amarnath. Assistant Director. Office of the DC(MSME) 7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan. New Delhi – 110108. Phone: 011-23063800, 02-06. Extn 2453 . E-mail: atiwari@dcmsme.gov.in

Finance, Motivations, News

10,000 Women

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Image representing Goldman Sachs as depicted i...
Image via CrunchBase

10,000 Women is a five-year investment by Goldman Sachs to provide 10,000 underserved women around the world with a business and management education.

10,000 Women operates through a network of more than 70 academic and non-profit partners to develop locally relevant coursework for students and to improve the quality and capacity of business education.

Investing in women is one of the most effective ways to reduce inequality and facilitate inclusive economic growth. Investing in education for women has a significant multiplier effect, leading to more productive workers, healthier and better-educated families, and ultimately to more prosperous communities.

Through our 10,000 Women initiative, women entrepreneurs receive a customized business education from local universities across a range of disciplines, including:
Marketing
Strategic planning
Accounting
Accessing capital
Market research
e-commerce
Business plan writing

These pragmatic, short-term programs help to open doors for women who would not otherwise have access to a business education. Students are offered mentoring and post-graduation support by partner institutions, local businesses and the people of Goldman Sachs.

The initiative is designed to foster greater shared economic growth and is based on research which found that investing in girls and women yields significant economic growth.

The funding for the 10,000 Women initiative is provided through The Goldman Sachs Foundation.

VIEW RESEARCH

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