8 key Budget 2026 expectations from entrepreneurs on credit, tax and scale
1/7
Budget 2026 is not about optics: Startups want execution
What founders are really watching this time
* Startups are looking beyond big-ticket announcements
* Focus is on fixing structural issues: credit flow, compliance, and capital access
* The ask: policies that convert momentum into long-term scale
* Budget 2026 is seen as a test of policy depth, not intent
* Startups are looking beyond big-ticket announcements
* Focus is on fixing structural issues: credit flow, compliance, and capital access
* The ask: policies that convert momentum into long-term scale
* Budget 2026 is seen as a test of policy depth, not intent
2/7
MSME credit still the biggest bottleneck: Why startups want cheaper, steadier capital
* MSME credit outstanding has crossed Rs 25 lakh crore, but gaps remain
* Rural and semi-urban entrepreneurs still struggle for formal loans
* NBFCs now dominate last-mile lending to first-time borrowers
* Startups want structured refinance and priority-sector support
* Rural and semi-urban entrepreneurs still struggle for formal loans
* NBFCs now dominate last-mile lending to first-time borrowers
* Startups want structured refinance and priority-sector support
3/7
NBFCs want policy parity with banks: Why fintech and lenders are watching Budget 2026 closely
* NBFCs account for up to 40% of first-time MSME loans in non-metros
* Compliance and recovery rules remain complex and uneven
* Founders want tax and regulatory parity with banks
* Goal: cheaper credit without increasing borrower stress
* Compliance and recovery rules remain complex and uneven
* Founders want tax and regulatory parity with banks
* Goal: cheaper credit without increasing borrower stress
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4/7
Retail credit boom needs guardrails: Startups flag rising risk among first-time borrowers
* Retail credit is growing at 15 18% annually
* Nearly half of new borrowers are first-time credit users
* Rising delinquencies in unsecured loans worry fintech founders
* Expectations: financial literacy push, refinancing tools, fair interest norms
* Nearly half of new borrowers are first-time credit users
* Rising delinquencies in unsecured loans worry fintech founders
* Expectations: financial literacy push, refinancing tools, fair interest norms
5/7
Shared infrastructure is the missing link: What deeptech founders expect next
* Need for common testing, validation, and certification facilities
* Government demand can act as early market validation
* Mission-led procurement can accelerate adoption
* Budget 2026 could turn India into a global deeptech supplier hub
* Government demand can act as early market validation
* Mission-led procurement can accelerate adoption
* Budget 2026 could turn India into a global deeptech supplier hub
6/7
Compliance, taxes, and listings need clarity: Where founders want friction removed
* Simplified compliance for early-stage startups
* Clearer tax treatment for ESOPs and capital gains
* Support for dual listings and domestic risk capital
* Faster approvals to reduce regulatory uncertainty
* Clearer tax treatment for ESOPs and capital gains
* Support for dual listings and domestic risk capital
* Faster approvals to reduce regulatory uncertainty
7/7
Policy continuity: Why startups want fewer surprises, more stability
* Founders value predictability over frequent policy tweaks
* Stable rules help attract long-term domestic capital
* States are stepping up Centre must keep pace
* Budget 2026 could decide whether ambition turns into durability
* Stable rules help attract long-term domestic capital
* States are stepping up Centre must keep pace
* Budget 2026 could decide whether ambition turns into durability