Bihar, known for its rich history and educational excellence, is emerging as a notable player in India’s startup ecosystem. This shift is driven by proactive government policies, educational institutions, and the resilient spirit of local entrepreneurs .Startup culture in Bihar is on a surge, proudly contributing to Make in India & Made in India.

Bihar’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem

With over 650+ startups registered and more than 350+ leading the charge, Bihar is making significant strides in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Government Initiatives

The Bihar government has been instrumental in fostering a startup-friendly environment. The Bihar Startup Policy, introduced in 2017, offering financial assistance, incubation support, and mentorship. Key initiatives include the Bihar Startup Fund Trust for seed funding and the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy, providing interest subsidies and tax exemptions. The Startup Bihar portal serves as a comprehensive resource for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Sectoral Growth

Startups in Bihar are diversifying across various sectors, with foodtech and agritech industries particularly vibrant. This diversification leverages Bihar’s rich agricultural heritage to innovate and scale.

Impact on Rural India

Bihar-based startups are transforming rural India, reaching over 3000+ villages and impacting approximately 3.5 million people directly and indirectly. This demonstrates the inclusive growth driven by the state’s startup culture.

Success Stories

Local entrepreneurs are inspiring a new generation of innovators. Notable startups include:

• Oplus Cowork: A coworking space offering “Space as a Service,” bridging the gap between startups and corporates.
• OCB Cakes: OCB Cakes Pvt. Ltd. is a leading company in online customized cakes & Gifts delivery in Bihar. 
• RodBez: RodBez is Bihar’s largest mobility platform, providing the One Way Taxi, Taxi pool. The Rodbez offers mobility solutions by connecting customers to Taxi Driver.
• DeHaat: An ICT-enabled farmers’ marketplace connecting small farmers to seeds, fertilizers, equipment, crop advisory, and market linkage.
• StarX91: StarX91 is a leading Industrial Drone Manufacturing and Aviation R&D Company that specializes in serving the B2B and B2G sectors.
• Gramshree Agri Services Private Limited: A one-stop solution in animal husbandry and fisheries.

These startups highlight Bihar’s diverse ecosystem, focusing on agriculture, healthcare, food and technology.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite challenges like limited funding and inadequate infrastructure, opportunities for growth are significant. The expansion of co-working spaces and startup incubators in cities like Patna, along with increased government focus on infrastructure, are positive signs.

A new era of Startup culture in Bihar showcases the state’s potential for growth and innovation. With continued support from the government and a focus on key industries, Bihar’s startups are poised to make a significant impact locally and globally, driving innovation and prosperity.

Every day you juggle the many components that fill your life. Between work and family commitments , volunteer work, hobbies and managing your physical and mental health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and that you’re letting someone down or neglecting some aspect of your life. But you can find ways to honor all of your commitments without collapsing. If time and energy were infinite, we could fulfilIn our commitments without losing our minds. Today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, managing work-life balance for entrepreneur is increasingly challenging. iThe lines between work and personal life often blur, leading to stress and burnout. For entrepreneurs, achieving a harmonious balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being is essential for long-term health and happiness. Here are some effective strategies to help you manage work-life balance:

1. Set Clear Boundaries

Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Designate specific hours for work and stick to them. When your workday ends, make a conscious effort to switch off work-related tasks and focus on personal activities. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues and supervisors.

2. Prioritize Tasks

Identify your most important tasks and focus on completing them first. Use tools like to-do lists or digital task managers to organize your day. Prioritizing tasks helps you stay organized and reduces the likelihood of work spilling over into your personal life.

3. Practice Time Management

Adopt time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. Schedule specific time slots for different tasks and stick to them to boost productivity and prevent burnout.

4. Incorporate Self-Care

Make time for activities that nurture your body and mind, such as exercise, hobbies, or meditation. Regular physical activity can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Prioritizing self-care ensures you have the energy and mental clarity to handle both work and personal responsibilities effectively.

5. Utilize Technology Wisely

Set limits on your use of technology, especially during personal time. Turn off work notifications outside of work hours and establish tech-free zones or times at home. This helps create a clear separation between work and personal life.

6. Discover what works for you

Go for the work which excites you, which gives you pleasure and which you love doing, until you find it.

Conclusion

Achieving work-life balance requires conscious effort and continuous adjustments. By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and incorporating self-care into your routine, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, balance looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you and make it a priority. Your well-being is worth the effort.

Explore more about work-life balance on Harvard Business Review. Click here to read!

Business travels often disrupt our routines, making it challenging to prioritize health and well-being. However, with some planning and mindful choices, it’s possible to stay healthy with some healthy business travel tips and maintain productivity while on the go. Here are 9 healthy business travel tips which help you navigate business travels while prioritizing your health:

1. Plan Ahead:

Before your trip, research the area you’ll be visiting to identify nearby fitness centers, walking paths, or parks where you can stay active. Look for accommodations with gym facilities or access to fitness classes.

2. Pack Healthy Snacks:

Avoid relying on airport or convenience store snacks by packing your own healthy options. Choose portable snacks like nuts, fruits, granola bars, or cut-up veggies to keep you fueled throughout the day.

3. Stay Hydrated:

Dehydration can lead to fatigue and decreased focus, so it’s essential to drink plenty of water, especially during flights. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it regularly to stay hydrated on the go.

4. Utilize Coworking Spaces:

Instead of working from your hotel room, consider using coworking spaces or remote workstations. These spaces provide a professional environment with high-speed internet, ergonomic seating, and quiet work areas conducive to productivity.

5. Opt for Balanced Meals:

While dining out during your travels, aim for balanced meals that include lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables. Look for restaurants that offer nutritious options or customizable meals.

6. Schedule Active Breaks:

Incorporate short bursts of physical activity into your itinerary by scheduling walking meetings, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or exploring the area on foot during breaks.

7. Practice Mindfulness:

Traveling can be stressful, so take time to practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage stress and stay grounded. Consider incorporating activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.

8. Prioritize Sleep:

Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being, so make sleep a priority during your travels. Stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible and create a relaxing bedtime routine to promote restful sleep.

9. Set Boundaries:

With the constant connectivity of technology, it’s essential to set boundaries and disconnect from work when needed. Allow yourself time to unwind and recharge without checking emails or taking work calls outside of designated hours.

By implementing these 9 healthy business travel tips, you can stay healthy, energized, and productive during your business travels, allowing you to make the most of your time away from home while maintaining your well-being.

The coronavirus pandemic has served a global reality check. Even though the concept of social distancing pushed people away from each other, in-fact, brought the whole world closer; except maybe China. The Covid-19 has impacted each one of us in a major way and the world is still coping with the impact of this pandemic. One of its biggest impacts has been on the world economy, vis-à-vis businesses. It has completely changed the dynamics of how most of the major corporations worked.

This global pandemic has been a looming risk for decades, COVID-19 has come as a shock to society, health systems, economies, and governments worldwide.

After COVID-19 there is a risk that the world could be yet more divided, conflictual and nationalistic. But an alternative scenario is within reach. In this scenario, collective action within communities and, where necessary, internationally, will make a more rapid and peaceful exit from the crisis possible. The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the quality of governance and competence of the world’s leaders. In times of crisis, most people instinctively turn to their governments for protection and assistance. When politicians and civil servants fail to deliver, they quickly lose credibility and legitimacy. Emergencies reveal the health of the social contract. And in crisis, competence matters.

Covid-19 has seen a steep rise in the work from home or WFH model of working in all the major corporations of the world. According to Infosys COO, UB Pravin Rao, the company is considering a hybrid model, where some of the employees will continue working from home and others from office. The IT industry employs more than 40 lakh people with 90 percent working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

TCS is planning a 75:25 model, where 75 percent of the employees will work from home, while the rest 25 percent will have to work from their offices.

The Covid-19 pandemic may have put expansion plans of most businesses on hold. Also, Atmanirbhar Bharat, the vision of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will give rise to a startup culture in India. These startups will need office spaces to grow their businesses.

Firstly, coworking space provides a great opportunity for not only these startups but also other corporations for the expansion of their businesses at a feasible cost with no concern about the operations of the office space. The owners make sure that the coworking space meets all their needs and the office space is functioning smoothly. One major concern of the corporations is the network security. Coworking spaces make sure to use a VPN and have dedicated IP addresses to ensure the network security.

The cabins and meeting rooms ensure the privacy of the businesses too. Coworking space provides a great networking opportunity to the businesses along with other advantages. Work from home employees also have the option of booking a space for an hour or two and get fast Internet speed to get their work done in a different space for a change. Coworking space will provide a break from the monotony of working form home.  It will also provide a cost-efficient solution to the expansion plans of any business. Coworking space can provide the infrastructure for them and a lot of upcoming coworking spaces provide a customized space to businesses. Quite a few of the coworking spaces have great entertainment facilities to maintain employee productivity and morale. Coworking space will also ensure that any major catastrophe in future does not have a big impact on the business operations.

Consequences of COVID-19 for coworking

One of the most obvious consequences of coronavirus has been the massive rise in the number of people working from home, which we hoped would boost coworking operations in an article we wrote last week.

However, the survey unfortunately found the opposite to be true — 71.67% of spaces said they have witnessed a significant drop in the number of people working from their space since the outbreak. 

Along with a dwindling in-person workforce, 40.8% of coworking spaces reported a negative impact on membership and contract renewals since the outbreak. And, 67% of spaces have experienced a drop in the number of new membership enquiries.

For coworking spaces all across the globe, the consequences of coronavirus are far-reaching and have fully altered the way that the spaces carry out daily business. In the survey, we asked spaces what the top consequences they’ve experienced as a result of coronavirus are, and they responded with the following:

• Event cancellations (71.04%)
• Meeting/conference room cancellations (65.99%)
• Membership cancellations (34.68%)
• Changing behaviors of members (24.24%)
• Space closure (20.2%)
• Sick members (8.75%)

Coworking Spaces adopt alternative business models 

While these consequences are both threatening and highly disruptive to coworking operators across the board, spaces are finding unique ways to deal with the effects of the outbreak in a positive way. By reassessing their services and creating new solutions, many spaces have adopted alternative business models in an effort to not only stop the spread of the virus, but also to support their community’s current needs.

In our survey, we asked our 14,000 spaces if they had adjusted their business model or introduced any new practices in response to COVID-19. Here are some of the new models spaces are integrating to help them navigate the crisis:

• Adjusted cancellation policies to allow for more relaxed cancellation periods
• Lower pricing for new members and discounts to current members
• New student memberships for university students transitioning to online classes
• New “virtual plans” and offering virtual mail services, in which no physical presence is required
• Ability to roll over any unused days to future months for part-time shared desk members or pause membership entirely
• Single-person rentals of meeting rooms for virtual meetings
• Virtual member events and online workshops, including collaborations with video conferencing companies
• Partnerships with local businesses to assist members and their families, including additional services by food delivery companies
• Changing marketing strategies to reflect a new focus on selling private office memberships

Coworking space provides great solutions to small, medium, and big businesses alike to start or expand their operations. It gives a great opportunity to SMBs to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. The time and opportunity are right for the coworking spaces to provide a great solution to all the businesses post the Covid-19 pandemic.

Call Oplus Cowork now, to get yourself a great coworking space in Patna.

 

Sharma’s belief stems from the fact that detachable batteries are becoming more and more popular among EV two-wheelers. He likens it to users charging a smartphone or any other gadget at home. With a focus on battery swapping and charging the replaceable battery packs at any electrical plug, Okinawa Autotech is looking to flood the market with its EV two-wheelers over the next couple of years.

“The scooters have a detachable battery that can be charged as simply as a mobile phone at homes.”

As a mechanical engineer and with over a decade of experience with Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India, Sharma established Okinawa Autotech in 2015 along with Rupali Sharma with the aim to break the myth that electric vehicles cannot compete with petrol and diesel two-wheelers in terms of performance, speed and reliability. Along the way, it also realised that it needs to solve the mindset of Indian consumers of wanting as much value as possible and not wanting to spend extra to change their habits.

“I visited this island in Japan called Okinawa which is known for its zero-pollution environment. This experience worked as an inspiration to start something that would contribute to creating an eco-friendly environment in India,” said Sharma.