DBS Bank India has announced a loan commitment of USD 250 million to support budding entrepreneurs in the country. This initiative is part of the bank's endeavor to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within India's dynamic startup ecosystem. With the Indian startup sector witnessing substantial growth, boasting over 90,000 startups and more than 100 unicorns by 2024, it has become a pivotal component of the nation's developmental goals.

Despite their increasing resilience, many startups encounter difficulties in securing financing amidst today's volatile economic conditions. Acknowledging the transformative potential of startups, especially those harnessing emerging technologies, DBS Bank India has allocated USD 250 million to provide financial assistance, with a particular emphasis on companies poised to revolutionize industry norms through innovative solutions.

Rajat Verma, Managing Director & Head, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank India said, “We are inspired by the ability of new-age entrepreneurs to harness innovation to solve real-world challenges and hope to play a constructive role in their growth. We believe that our lending commitment of USD 250 million for startups comes at an opportune time as the sector has been demonstrating improved operating metrics and a sharper focus on profitability in recent years. DBS Bank India intends to leverage our advanced digital expertise, deep Asian connectivity, and ecosystem partnerships to offer holistic support, even going beyond banking to empower these innovators to streamline operations, manage logistics, and gain access to larger business networks. As a different kind of bank, our overarching objective is to become a trusted partner for startups across sectors and support them throughout the business lifecycle”.

Utilizing a comprehensive risk assessment framework that integrates both traditional benchmarks and state-of-the-art analytical technologies, the bank ensures a well-rounded approach to lending. This meticulous screening procedure enables DBS Bank India to offer tailor-made banking solutions that resonate with the dynamic nature of the industry innovators it supports. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by startups in the digital age, DBS goes the extra mile by providing an array of exclusive benefits sourced from various partners, empowering these enterprises to enhance their agility and unlock growth opportunities. Furthermore, the bank honors contemporary founders through initiatives like DBS Businessclass FoundED, which has already engaged with over 1000 companies and 50 incubators in India to date.