How to Start a Franchise Business in India?

Entrepreneur Vs Businessman: Know the Differences Now!

To clearly understand the difference between entrepreneur and business man, let's compare their key characteristics:

By examining these key differences, you can begin to understand the distinct mindsets and approaches that define an entrepreneur and a businessman. While entrepreneurs bring innovation and disruption to industries, businessmen excel at optimising existing models for profitability and longevity.

Who is a Businessman?

A businessman is an individual who operates within the confines of an existing market, focusing on profitability and stability. They typically follow proven business models, work with lower risks, and aim for steady growth rather than groundbreaking innovation. Businessmen are skilled at identifying opportunities within established industries and leveraging their expertise to maximise returns.

Qualities of a Businessman

To succeed as a businessman, one must possess a unique set of qualities that enable them to navigate the challenges of running a business effectively. Some of the essential qualities of a successful businessman include:

• Strong decision-making skills to navigate complex business situations
  
• Effective risk management to minimise potential losses
  
• Excellent leadership abilities to guide teams towards common goals
  
• Financial acumen to optimise budgets and maximise profits
  
• Adaptability to changing market conditions and consumer demands
  

A businessman with these qualities can effectively steer their organisation towards profitability, make sound financial decisions, and lead their team to achieve targets and milestones.

Types of Businessman

Businessmen can be categorised based on their business model and operations. Some common types of businessmen include:

• Small Business Owners: These individuals own and operate small-scale businesses, often in local markets or niche industries.
  
• Traders: Businessmen who engage in buying and selling goods or services for profit, often in wholesale or retail markets.
  
• Manufacturers: Those who own and manage manufacturing facilities, producing goods for sale to other businesses or consumers.
  
• Franchise Owners: Businessmen who operate a business under a franchising agreement, following established business models and brand guidelines.
  
• Corporate Businessmen: High-level executives or managers within large corporations, responsible for overseeing departments or entire business units.
  

Each type of businessman contributes to the economy in their own way, whether by providing employment opportunities, generating revenue, or contributing to the overall growth of their industry.

Who is an Entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur is an individual who identifies a problem or opportunity, takes on the risk of starting a new venture to address it, and comes up with innovative ideas to disrupt the market. Entrepreneurs are driven by a passion for solving problems and creating value, often venturing into uncharted territories to bring their vision to life.

Entrepreneurs focus on building scalable businesses from the ground up, constantly seeking new ways to innovate and improve upon existing solutions. They are not afraid to challenge the status quo and take bold risks in pursuit of their goals. Some famous examples of entrepreneurs include Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX), and Jeff Bezos (Amazon), all of whom founded highly innovative companies that revolutionised entire industries.

Qualities of an Entrepreneur

Successful entrepreneurs possess a distinct set of qualities that enable them to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. Some of the key qualities of an entrepreneur include:

• Innovative thinking to come up with original, impactful ideas
  
• Comfort with taking risks to bring unproven concepts to market
  
• Resilience to overcome the many challenges of starting a business
  
• Strong leadership skills to build and inspire talented teams
  
• Adaptability to pivot business strategies as needed
  
• Creative problem-solving abilities to navigate uncharted territory
  

These qualities help entrepreneurs blaze new trails and create value in the world.

Entrepreneurs with these qualities are well-equipped to identify market gaps, develop unique solutions, and persevere through the ups and downs of building a successful venture.

Types of Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs can be classified based on their approach, industry, and level of innovation. Some common types of entrepreneurs include:

• Small Business Entrepreneurs: These individuals start and run small businesses, often serving local markets or niche industries.
  
• Scalable Startup Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs who focus on building high-growth, innovative companies with the potential to scale rapidly and disrupt markets.
  
• Social Entrepreneurs: Those who start ventures with the primary goal of creating social or environmental impact, often addressing pressing societal issues.
  
• Corporate Entrepreneurs (Intrapreneurs): Entrepreneurs who operate within large corporations, driving innovation and new business development from within.
  
• Innovative Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs who consistently push the boundaries of their industries, introducing groundbreaking products, services, or business models.
  

Each type of entrepreneur brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, contributing to the overall diversity and dynamism of the business world.

Similarities Between Entrepreneurs and Businessmen

Despite their differences, entrepreneurs and businessmen share some common traits and characteristics that contribute to their success. These similarities include:

1. Leadership skills: Both roles require the ability to lead and motivate teams, set goals, and make critical decisions.
   
2. Goal orientation: Entrepreneurs and businessmen are driven by their goals, whether it's building a successful startup or growing an established company.
   
3. Financial management: Both must be skilled at managing finances, creating budgets, and making sound financial decisions.
   
4. Market understanding: A deep understanding of their target market, customer needs, and industry trends is essential for both entrepreneurs and businessmen.
   

While their approaches may differ, both entrepreneurs and businessmen play crucial roles in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and generating value for their stakeholders. Recognising these shared traits can help aspiring entrepreneurs and businessmen focus on developing the skills and qualities that are most likely to contribute to their success, regardless of the path they choose.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between the path of an entrepreneur or a businessman ultimately depends on your individual goals, risk appetite, and preferred work style. If you thrive on stability, have strong management skills, and prefer working with established business models, the path of a businessman may be right for you. On the other hand, if you're a passionate risk-taker with a drive to solve problems and disrupt industries with innovative ideas, entrepreneurship could be your calling.

Regardless of the path you choose, understanding the difference between a businessman and an entrepreneur is crucial in aligning your skills and passions with your professional goals. By recognising the key differences between entrepreneur and business man, you can make an informed decision about which route best suits your unique strengths and aspirations.

Ultimately, both entrepreneurs and businessmen contribute significantly to the economy, and society needs each type to thrive. The key is to align your career path with your unique strengths, passions, and goals. Whether you choose to be an innovator or an optimiser, the business world offers endless opportunities for growth and success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Equity Dilution?

Equity dilution refers to the reduction in existing shareholders’ ownership percentage due to the issuance of new shares. Although it doesn't necessarily mean a loss in actual monetary value, it does mean reduced voting power, ownership stake, and potential control over the company.

For example, if a founder owns 50% of a company before a funding round and 40% after new shares are issued to investors, the 10% drop is equity dilution.

Causes of Equity Dilution in India

Several scenarios in India lead to equity dilution:

• Fundraising through equity: When a company raises capital by issuing new shares to investors (angel, VC, PE).
• ESOPs (Employee Stock Option Plans): Issuing shares to employees for retention and motivation.
• Convertible instruments: When convertible debentures or notes convert to equity.
• Mergers and acquisitions: New shares issued as part of a transaction.
• Bonus or rights issues: Depending on the structure, these can also dilute holdings if not proportionally subscribed.

Impact of Equity Dilution

Dilution can affect stakeholders in various ways:

• Founders: Loss of control or voting power if too much equity is given away early.
• Investors: Reduced ownership percentages, which may affect decision-making influence.
• Employees: If ESOPs are diluted too often, their potential upside gets reduced.
• Company valuation: Though dilution reduces percentage ownership, it can lead to growth and higher valuations, offsetting the effect in monetary terms.

How Does Share Dilution Happen?

Share dilution occurs when a company issues additional shares, reducing the ownership percentage of existing shareholders. While the total number of shares increases, each existing shareholder’s slice of the pie becomes smaller — unless they participate in the new issue.

Here are the most common ways share dilution happens in India:

1. Fundraising (Equity Rounds)

During seed, Series A, or later funding rounds, new investors are issued fresh equity. To accommodate them, the company increases its authorised and paid-up share capital, diluting the percentage held by existing shareholders.

Example:
A founder owns 100% of a startup with 1,00,000 shares. After raising funds from investors who are issuing 50,000 new shares, the founder’s ownership drops to 66.67%.

2. Issuing ESOPs (Employee Stock Option Plans)

Startups often set aside 5–15% of their cap table for ESOPs to attract and retain top talent. These options, once vested and exercised, convert into shares — reducing the percentage stake of other shareholders.

3. Conversion of Convertible Instruments

Instruments like convertible notes, SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), or CCDs (Compulsorily Convertible Debentures) convert into equity at a future date. When they convert, new shares are issued, which dilute existing ownership.

4. Mergers or Acquisitions

In some mergers or acquisitions, equity may be offered as part of the consideration to the merging entity or its shareholders. This leads to the issuance of new shares and causes dilution.

5. Bonus Shares to Select Stakeholders

Occasionally, a company might issue bonus shares to certain shareholders or employees as incentives, which can result in uneven dilution.

Reasons for Equity Dilution

• Capital infusion: To fund growth, R&D, hiring, marketing, etc.
• Strategic partnerships: Issuing equity to partners or advisors.
• Debt conversion: Debt turning into equity through convertible notes.
• Regulatory compliance: SEBI regulations may require public companies to maintain a certain free float, triggering new issuance.

Managing Equity Dilution in India

Equity dilution is inevitable as your startup grows — but managing it smartly can protect both your control and long-term value. Indian founders must understand the tools, strategies, and legal frameworks available to reduce unnecessary dilution and align all stakeholders.

1. Plan Your Cap Table Early

Create a 5–7 year cap table projection. Visualise future funding rounds, ESOP pools, convertible instruments, and expected dilution at each stage.

2. Raise What You Need, Not What You Can

Avoid over-raising in early rounds. Each round of funding comes at the cost of equity. Only raise what’s required to hit the next set of milestones.

3. Negotiate Better Valuations

Valuation is key to how much equity you give up. Strengthen your fundamentals, traction, and pitch to negotiate higher valuations, thus minimising dilution per rupee raised.

4. Use Convertible Instruments Strategically

Instruments like SAFE notes or CCDs can delay dilution until a priced round. Use them in early or bridge rounds to preserve equity while bringing in capital.

5. Be Thoughtful with ESOP Allocation

ESOPs are critical to building a strong team, but don’t over-allocate too early. Start with a lean pool (5–10%) and expand as your team grows and funding allows.

6. Include Anti-Dilution Provisions (If You're an Investor or Co-Founder)

While often investor-friendly, certain anti-dilution clauses can protect your equity in down rounds. Founders should understand these clauses and negotiate fair terms.

7. Consider Non-Dilutive Capital

Explore grants, government schemes (like Startup India Seed Fund, MeitY TIDE, or NIDHI), or revenue-based financing. These options offer capital with no equity dilution.

8. Maintain Founder Alignment

If co-founders have significantly unequal stakes, align expectations early. Future dilution can compound tensions if not addressed at the start.

How Shareholders Can Handle Equity Dilution?

• Pre-emptive rights: Ensure agreements include rights to participate in future rounds to maintain shareholding.
• Anti-dilution clauses: Particularly for investors, these can protect them from value dilution in down rounds.
• Monitor ESOP pools: Oversized ESOP pools dilute all shareholders.
• Regular cap table reviews: Stay updated to avoid surprises in ownership shifts.

Conclusion

Equity dilution is a natural part of a growing business, especially in India's thriving startup and investment landscape. While it may seem negative on the surface, it often enables access to capital, talent, and partnerships that fuel long-term value creation. 

The key lies in understanding, planning, and strategically managing dilution to protect stakeholder interests while supporting the company’s growth.

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Components of NIDHI Scheme

The key components of NIDHI are:

1. NIDHI-GCC

Grand Challenges and Competitions for scouting innovations;

2. NIDHI-PRomotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs (NIDHI-PRAYAS)

Support from Idea to Prototype

3. NIDHI- Entrepreneur In Residence (NIDHI-EIR)

Support system to reduce risk

4. Startup-NIDHI through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDCs)

To encourage students to promote start-ups in Institutions

5. Start-up Centre in collaboration with MHRD

To drive entrepreneurship and innovation in National Institutions of Higher Learning

6. NIDHI-Technology Business Incubator (TBI)

To help convert Innovations into startups

7. NIDHI-Accelerator

Fast-tracking a start-up through focused intervention

8. NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS)

To provide early-stage investment

9. NIDHI Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE)

A World-class facility to help startups go global

Focus Areas of NIDHI-SSS

Technology-based product proposals in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, IoT, biotechnology, medical devices, water, waste management, energy, climate tech, fintech etc.

Eligibility of NIDHI-SSS

• Must be a registered company in India with a minimum of three months of residency at the Science and Technology Entrepreneurs' Park (STEP) / Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).
• Must be an Indian start-up.
• Must have Indian promoters holding the shares of at least 51% in the incubated startup.

Please note: This assistance is not intended for Indian subsidiaries of multinational corporations or foreign companies. However, individuals holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) status will be treated as Indian citizens under this scheme.

Application procedure for Startups

• Website and newspaper ads are posted to signal the availability of seed support at specific incubator organizations.
• Social media posts announce the call for applications.
• Applicants are shortlisted based on eligibility criteria.
• The NIDHI-SSMC makes decisions regarding the shortlisted applicants.
• Selected applicants are chosen for funding.

Benefits of NIDHI-SSS

Seed support of up to INR 100 Lakhs with average financial seed funding ranging from INR 25 Lakhs.

Other assistance areas include:

• Product development
• Testing and trials
• Test Marketing
• Mentoring
• Professional Consultancy
• IPR issues
• Manpower for day-to-day operations

Frequently Asked Questions