COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS)
COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS)
The Government of India has enforced strict lockdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the COVID-19. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is taking proactive steps to facilitate businesses and startups impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. SIDBI has launched the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) to provide working capital loans to startups that have demonstrated the ability to adapt to economic impact from COVID-19.
Objective of the CSAS
The objective of the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) is to provide quick working capital to the Startups during this lockdown period.
Purpose of the CSAS
The purpose of introducing the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) is to provide interim support to growth-stage startups whose cash flow and liquidity have been adversely impacted by the Corona Virus pandemic. The financial assistance provided under the CSAS can be used for various working capital requirements of the startup, such as :
- Salaries/wages
- Rent
- Administrative expenses
- Payment to vendors
The loan provided under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) will be considered against the GST refund.
Eligible Beneficiaries of CSAS
The eligibility criteria to obtain financial assistance under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme are as follows:
- Government defined startups that have obtained funding through at least one of the Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) are eligible for CSAS.
- If a startup with a minimum employee base is 50 employees, then such a startup can apply for financial assistance under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS). This may also include the startup’s foot soldiers
- Startups should have demonstrated innovative measures for ensuring business continuity during the COVID-19 period to get financial assistance
- Startups should have a minimum turnover of Rs.10 crore to Rs.60 crore during the financial years 2019 and 2020
- To become eligible for this scheme, startups should have positive unit economics
- Startups should have been incorporated for less than ten years can apply for this scheme
- Startups should have a positive net worth to avail the financial assistance under the scheme
- Startups need to take adequate measures and ensure employee safety and financial stability
- The promoter/founder of a startup should have invested their capital in the business to get the CSAS loan.
Non-Applicability
Startups under the below categories are not eligible for the financial assistance under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS):
- Startups wrote off by Alternative Investment Funds
- Startups that are in stress other than the present Covid-19 pandemic (as recommended by their Fund Manager) are ineligible for the scheme
- Startups having working capital facilities with any bank also not eligible for the loan under this scheme
CSAS Loan Amount
SIDBI is providing Rs.2 Crores for eligible startups under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS).
The Tenor of the Loan
The tenor of the CSAS loan is three years, including a maximum moratorium period of 1 year, and the Startups need to repay the loan amount maximum of 24 instalments.
Insurance for Employees
COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) loan to the Startups will provide the following insurance to employees.
- Key Main insurance assigned to Small Industries Development Bank of India
- All employee term Insurance Upto Rs.10 lakhs
Cost of premium
Cost of premium shall be carried in the following pattern:
- SIDBI-50%
- Investor Fund-25%
- Startup-25%
Note: The share of a startup may be distributed in the loan disbursement amount.
CSAS Security Details
Mandatory Security
- First Pari-Passu charge on current assets of the Firm
- Keyman Insurance
Additional Security, if available:
- Hypothecation of movables of the firm
- Pledge of Intellectual Property
- Pledge of Promoter shares
Interest Rate
The interest rate for the loan under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) will be 10.50% per annum, reducing balance.
Loan Disbursement Detail
The SIDBI will provide the loan to eligible startups according to the need of the firm in single or multiple tranches.
Share Warrant Option for CSAS Scheme
At any time, during the currency of the Working Capital Term Loan, SIDBI will have the right to subscribe to Upto 10% of the Loan Amount with a 50% discount to the previous tranche.
Loan Processing Charges
The startups need to pay 1% of the sanctioned amount as a processing charge to the SIDBI.
Conversion in case of Default
In case of default in repayment of CSAS principal or interest instalment continuing for more than six months, then Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will convert that defaulted instalment along with its accrued interests, penal interests, and all other charges into equity capital of the Company.
Other Condition
The assistance loan provided under the COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS) cannot be used to pay any debt, including Venture Debt, and the amount will not be subordinated debt.
The promoter or investor of the startup cannot sell shares without SIDBI’s consent
CSAS Process
To provide quick working capital to the startups, the SIDBI has created a committee comprising of 5 members for faster processing of a loan.
Documents for CSAS
The following documents are mandatory for applying for COVID-19 Startup Assistance Scheme (CSAS)
Promoters and Guarantors
- Bio-data and Net worth Statement
- Photographs, signatures attested by bankers
- Copies of passport/ PAN card/Aadhaar card
- Three years of Income Tax Return and wealth tax returns
- Net Worth statement
Applicant Company
- DPIIT Registration details/Copy of MSME registration/EM under MSMED Act
- Certified copies of KYC documents like MAOA, Partnership deed, PAN allotment letter, Copy of Telephone Bill
- The last two years audited financial statements of the enterprise and associate concerns with auditor’s report, notes to accounts, and tax audit report.
- Provisional b/sheet and Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) of the enterprise as on the latest date
- Latest 2-year ITR and Sales tax return, copy of the latest receipt for advance tax paid. Copy of IT assessment orders for the past two years
- Copies of registration with statutory authorities viz GST, EPF, etc
- Copies of other statutory approvals obtained
- Copies of sanction letters for credit facilities from Banks
- Bank statement of all bank accounts for the past one year
- Copy of the latest CMA data submitted to WC banker, if any.
- Pollution Control Board approval document for existing and proposed units
- Copy of sale, lease deed, rental agreement
CSAS Application Procedure
Startups are required to fill the application cum Credit Appraisal Memo (CAM) along with Self Assessment Tool (SAT), and submit the documents to designated email id – [email protected]
The application and Credit Appraisal Memo (CAM) and the Self Assessment Tool (SAT) is as follows:
CSAS- The Recommendation Committee will scrutinize the documents and proceed with a credit evaluation, Video Conference with the startup, and Venture Capitalist Investor.
- A proposed Internal Credit Committee (ICC) of SIDBI will hold a meeting to approve CSAS loans to Startups. During these weekly ICC meetings, the applicant Startups and the Venture Capitalist Investor need to be available for a Video Conference meeting.
- Approval or rejection of the application will be communicated on the same day by email. The Loan Agreements and related documentation will be communicated through the mail.
