Indian Startup ‘Handholders’ Behaving Like Possessive Nannies

There should be no doubt that the Indian government, in its wisdom to empower the private sector, has unleashed the country's hidden entrepreneurial potential to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that the 21st century presents to India. Several now-liberalized sectors are filled with promising companies led by young entrepreneurs who are learning to navigate the complexities of the real world. When the startup phenomenon began, a word, ‘startup handholding,’ emerged in the government’s vocabulary. The word wholly indicated the government’s noble intentions to aid these young entrepreneurs during their early years. Ten years down the line, the hand-holders, especially those from the bureaucracy, who are as new to the hand-holding business as the startups, have become conjuring possessive nannies.

What exactly are the attributes of a possessive nanny? They are over-protective of the subjects, startups in this case; they demand rapt attention from them; they do not let the subjects the necessary autonomy to explore newer opportunities and behave like 24/7 surveillance devices, often threatening them dire consequences of clipping wings and non-cooperation. What do the subjects do? Those who are fragile and need those important clearances and certifications toe the line. Some go overboard by entertaining the ego of these possessive nannies, making them feel invincible. While those who take the headstrong path, showing nannies the mirror, are given a tough time. Possessive nannies are shrewd. To their bosses in the government, who do not pay attention to the finer print and are interested in the big picture, they give an impression of do-gooders. A few events for LinkedIn, a few for Twitter, and a few for pliant media personnel and hands-in-glove partners, are enough to convince the bosses that all is hunky dory. However, behind the mask is a scheming, sly and perennial blackmailer.

What are the specific qualifications of these nannies? Often, they do not come from the industries they oversee. Given the positions they secured in their 20s and have maintained since, these nannies have been raised in gated governmental institutions. They are frequently viewed as outcasts in their organisations and are shuffled into newer departments to give respite to the more qualified and able staff from their shenanigans. They often lack interpersonal skills and are temperamental and of an abrasive nature. All these attributes contribute to their tendency to threaten, blackmail, engage in double dealings, and always try to establish quid pro quo arrangements for their benefit.

A substantial number of entrepreneurs silently sulk and suffer because of these unqualified ‘hand-holders’ only to protect their businesses. Those who dare to walk solitary without any handholding by these nannies are troubled by pariah treatment, pitching that entrepreneur and startup with others who have decided to be pliant to the nannies. If I have to take the Stranger Things analogy, Papa, the nanny of Hawkins Lab, is very happy with the other manipulable kids but not with the exploratory Eleven.

As mentioned earlier, handholding is a noble task. However, it needs to be performed by qualified, committed, and born coaches. They cannot be entrusted to nannies, who not only trouble the mentees but also undermine the larger purpose. It is an unfortunate statement to make, but India’s startup scene is full of misfits who have been given the handholding responsibilities. So, what needs to be done?

First, the government must stop using the word "handhold." Startups choose their mentors and coaches for handholding on their own volition; they are part of their internal executive and advisory teams. The government must not unnecessarily sully its reputation due to nannies who work neither for the government nor the startups but for their egos.

Second, the government must be clear that offering certifications, standards, and clearances is not an altruistic overture but a straightforward regulation. It could be as impartial and impersonal as the government issuing passports and other identity cards. There is actually no room for nannies who cheer openly for those who achieve visible success and trouble those like Eleven behind closed doors.

Third, the Indian startup ecosystem is mature enough to have independent promotional, outreach and advertising endeavours. A question to be asked is: Yes, the government has a role to play in ensuring the establishment of new businesses and their subsequent flourishing. There are indirect electoral gains to come out of it. But when successful startups advertise their products in newspapers and magazines, does the government need to be petty enough to take credit for that achievement? No. Unfortunately, having promotion arms, where the promoting heads have no skills but are nannies, will only sully the government’s reputation. Let promotion be left to the private sector. India’s advertising and promotions industry is top-notch; the government will benefit by ceasing to exist where it runs the danger of employing nannies.

The Indian government has indeed liberated several aspects of the Indian economy and divested from areas where it should not be involved. One area it should consider divesting from is handholding. Handholding should be a choice for those in need; while helping them is the government’s duty, it should be carried out by skilled and considerate individuals. Many in the entrepreneurial world may only require a few window clearances and light-touch regulations, and they prefer to be supported by private individuals of their choice, so why impose unnecessary oversight from unwanted and scorned nannies? I am confident that New Delhi will view this positively, and be rest assured that capable and reputable individuals outside the government can support one another.

(The author is a Space and Emerging Technology Fellow at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation, Mumbai. Views personal)