Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Scheme for assistance to MSMEs: Assistance for Raising Capital through SME Exchange

The Industries and Mines Department, Government of Gujarat, operates the Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Scheme for MSMEs as an umbrella initiative. The scheme is valid from October 5, 2022, to October 4, 2027, and targets the state's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. This sector contributes significantly to employment, economic growth, and exports in Gujarat. The scheme's objective is to support the vision of "Aatmanirbhar Gujarat" and the national "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" mission by encouraging innovation, investment, and sustainable practices within the MSME ecosystem.

The "Assistance for Raising Capital through SME Exchange" component helps MSMEs access public capital markets. It provides financial support to enterprises that raise equity capital by listing on a recognised SME Exchange. The scheme subsidises part of the listing expenses, which reduces the cost burden of initial public offerings (IPOs) on SME platforms. This support encourages Gujarat-based MSMEs to use diversified funding options beyond conventional debt or private equity, thereby improving their growth prospects.

1. **New Investor Registration:** Go to the Investor Facilitation Portal (IFP) at https://ifp.gujarat.gov.in/DIGIGOV/. Select the "New Investor Registration" option to open the registration form. 2. **Fill Registration Form:** Provide accurate details about your enterprise in all required fields of the registration form. 3. **Submit Registration:** Press the "Submit" button to register your details on the portal. 4. **Email Verification:** A verification link will be sent to your registered email ID. Click the link to verify your email and activate your account. Your registration is complete once verification succeeds. 5. **Login to Portal:** After registration and verification, return to the Investor Facilitation Portal (IFP) at https://ifp.gujarat.gov.in/DIGIGOV/. Click on "Login." 6. **Enter Credentials:** Enter your registered email address and the password you set during registration. 7. **Access Account:** Click the "Login" button to access your investor account on the portal. 8. **Complete Application:** Once logged in, go to the section for the "Assistance for Raising Capital through SME Exchange" scheme. Fill in all required details about your business, the capital raised, and the expenses incurred. Upload all mandatory supporting documents as per the scheme guidelines and document checklist. 9. **Final Submission:** Review your application thoroughly to confirm all information is correct and complete. Submit the application through the portal. Keep copies of all submitted documents and the application reference number for future reference.

Applications are assessed by verifying eligibility conditions and the documents submitted. The review centres on confirming that the applicant MSME fulfils every requirement for financial support, such as holding a valid MSME/DPIIT registration, being listed on an SME Exchange, and having incurred qualifying expenses. Each application and its supporting evidence are checked against the scheme’s provisions to establish compliance. Those applications that meet all stipulated criteria are then granted the prescribed financial assistance.