Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to start a business but need funding without the hassle of providing collateral? Then the Stand Up India Scheme is for you.
Launched by the Ministry of Finance in India in April 2016, this scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship at the grassroots level by offering loans ranging from 10 lakh to 1 crore for a period of 7 years without any collateral.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the eligibility and benefits of this scheme.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Stand Up India Scheme, you must be a woman entrepreneur or from the SC/ST community and above 18 years of age. The enterprise must have at least 51% shareholding with either a woman entrepreneur or an SC/ST entrepreneur.
It's important to note that loans are available only for Greenfield projects, which means the project should be a new venture and not an extension of an existing business.
Loan Terms:
One of the biggest advantages of the Stand Up India Scheme is its favorable loan terms. The loan has a 7-year repayment schedule and offers the lowest interest rate offered by the lender (bank) in this category.
The scheme provides a moratorium period of up to 18 months, which means that you don't have to start repaying the loan immediately after receiving the funds.
Application Process:
The application process for the Stand Up India Scheme is straightforward and can be completed online through this portal (https://www.standupmitra.in). To apply, you need to provide details about your business, such as the type of business, the amount of funding required, and the purpose of the loan.
You will also need to submit documents such as your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and bank statements. Once your application is approved, the loan amount will be disbursed to your bank account.
Since its launch, the Stand Up India Scheme has helped numerous women entrepreneurs to start their businesses and achieve success. As of March 21, 2022, an impressive Rs 30160 crore has been sanctioned under this scheme to 133,995 accounts.
The Stand Up India Scheme is an excellent option for women entrepreneurs seeking funding for their ventures. With its favourable loan terms, and simple application process, it's clear that this scheme has the potential to help many entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.