Payal Nambiar, Founder & Director, B-Square
“The Union Budget 2025 presents a transformative vision for MSMEs and the IT sector, fostering financial inclusion, technological advancement, and entrepreneurship. The introduction of a ₹2 crore term loan scheme for first-time entrepreneurs will empower small businesses, enabling innovation and expansion. The revision of MSME classification and enhanced credit guarantee cover will provide the much-needed impetus for the ecosystem to skyrocket.”
Radhika Kalia, Managing Director, RLG Systems India
“The Union Budget 2025 clearly envisions a cleaner, self-reliant energy future. With the National Manufacturing Mission and focus on enabling domestic production of solar PV cells, EV batteries, and wind turbines, the intent to strengthen clean energy and mobility is evident. The customs duty exemption on lithium-ion batteries will lower costs and is expected to accelerate EV adoption. Enhanced charging infrastructure and state incentives are likely to support this transition. The Nuclear Energy Mission’s ₹20,000 crore allocation for small modular reactors (SMRs) underpins India's commitment to long-term energy security and sustainability.”
Prachi Kaushik, Founder & Director, Vyomini Social Enterprise
“Budget 2025 is a visionary step towards inclusive growth, especially for women entrepreneurs and rural communities. The provision of term loans up to ₹5 lakh for SC women entrepreneurs is a transformative move, breaking financial barriers and fostering economic independence. The emphasis on online capacity-building programs ensures that entrepreneurial skills and knowledge are accessible to all, regardless of location. Transforming India Post into a robust public logistics organization will revolutionize support for Vishwakarma communities, SHGs, and MSMEs, enhancing their market reach.”
Akshaara Lalwani, Founder and CEO, Communicate India
"The Union Budget of India 2025 has strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem through targeted reforms for startups and MSMEs. The increased credit guarantee cover to ₹20 crore and reduced guarantee fee of 1% have eased capital access for small enterprises. Building on the momentum from the 2024 'angel tax' abolition, which attracted significant investments, these measures have created a more inviting environment for both domestic and international investors. The government's continued focus on infrastructure and rural development has expanded market opportunities while promoting balanced regional growth.”
Sonica Aron, Founder & CEO, Marching Sheep
"The Union Budget 2025-26 portrays a people forward approach, especially with zero income tax up to ₹12 lakh whereby financial stress is reduced significantly, and disposable income is increased. This overdue tax reform is a big sigh of relief for salaried professionals. Also, the five national skilling centres with global expertise blend well with the future world of work, enabling the Indian workforce to cater for AI, ML, and renewable energy sectors. This would strengthen Make for India, Make for the World, in turn strengthening global competitiveness. The budget seems forward-looking, increasing financial independence of individuals and businesses is definitely key to sustaining economic growth."
Shruti Swaroop, Founder, Embrace Consulting
"The 2025 Budget of India will be a watershed in financial empowerment, announcing no income tax up to Rs. 12 lakh, giving overwhelming relief to millennials and reducing financial stress for millions. This progressive shift in tax slabs is a long-overdue alleviation that will enrich and relieve taxpayers from all walks of life across the country. Equally, the government's articulation of 'Make for India, Make for the World', through the establishment of five national skilling centres with global expertise, is a game-changer in enhancing India’s global competitiveness and workforce potential. This budget marks a long-overdue forward-looking approach to skill development, economic growth, and fiscal relief."
