Mr. Sunny Bhanushali, Founder, Aliens Tattoos
“Creative startups operate at the intersection of culture, design, and technology, and we are building entirely new markets. Policy support has largely focused on software and SaaS; this Budget is an opportunity to widen that lens. Incentives for IP creation, support for design-led exports, and easier access to working capital would accelerate growth. If India wants to lead in cultural and creative exports, creativity must be treated as an innovation economy, not just an artistic one.”
Education & Vocational / Creative Skilling POV –
Mr. Sunny Bhanushali, Founder, Aliens Tattoo Art School
“India has a rapidly growing but under-recognised creative economy, and tattoo art today represents a serious career pathway. Budget 2026 should strengthen future-forward skilling by supporting vocational and creative institutions, improving access to student financing, and integrating modern art forms within Skill India frameworks. Structured training can convert hobbyists into globally employable artists, unlocking thousands of sustainable creative careers.”
FMCG / Spice Manufacturing POV –
Mr. Yashmit Gala, CEO, Gala Ji Spices
“For India’s spice sector to regain export momentum, Budget 2026 must prioritise policy stability and long-term clarity in export frameworks, which are essential for attracting investment and reducing uncertainty for manufacturers and farmers alike. Incentivising value addition—by supporting the processing of raw spices into higher-value products—will enable Indian brands to move beyond bulk commodity exports and capture greater returns domestically. Increased and timely allocations for schemes such as the Spices Board’s SPICED Scheme can play a crucial role in strengthening farmer linkages, ensuring quality compliance, and enhancing manufacturing capabilities. At the same time, encouraging FDI in food processing under Make in India will help modernise infrastructure and improve global competitiveness, especially as Indian exporters face growing competition from countries that currently capture much of the value addition overseas. Finally, exploring price support mechanisms for key spice crops during periods of sharp price decline—on the lines of MSP—would provide much-needed income stability across the spice value chain, from farm to export.”
Startup Ecosystem POV (Founder-led, Innovation-centric)
Radhika Iyer Talati, Founder, Anahata Organic
“From a startup perspective, Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to meaningfully support India’s growing organic and wellness innovation ecosystem by prioritising GST rationalisation on natural and health-focused products, along with stronger incentives for R&D in plant-based and preventive health solutions. Startups working at the intersection of sustainability, wellness, and indigenous knowledge need predictable policies, faster access to innovation funding, and dedicated green innovation support to scale responsibly. Recognising organic and preventive health-led businesses as priority sectors would not only boost consumption but also align entrepreneurship with long-term public health and environmental resilience.”
Retail / D2C / E-commerce POV (Manufacturing + Sell, Consumer-Facing)
Radhika Iyer Talati, Founder, Anahata Organic
“As a brand that manufactures and directly retails organic beauty, wellness, and herbal products, we see Budget 2026 as a chance to strengthen affordability and conscious consumption through GST rationalisation on natural products and tax incentives for sustainable packaging. Support for green manufacturing, circular economy practices, and eco-friendly supply chains can help D2C brands scale without compromising values. With consumers increasingly choosing fewer, more intentional products, policies that reward sustainability, local manufacturing, and value-driven purchasing will help build resilient, future-ready retail ecosystems.”
Digital & Startup POV
Mr. Niraj Kacha, Founder & CEO, KiWeb Solution:
“As an industry founder working closely with MSMEs and startups, I believe India’s next phase of digital growth will depend on three fundamentals: robust internet infrastructure, practical AI and digital marketing education, and execution that extends well beyond metro cities. Budget 2026–27 has an opportunity to move Digital India from intent to impact—by enabling affordable broadband in Tier II and III regions, supporting industry-led skilling programs, and incentivizing startups that create local digital employment. With the right policy push, India can evolve from a digital adoption market into a global talent engine powered by grassroots innovation.”