Make in India: Roadmap for Mobile App Companies

India is an emerging market in the mobile phone manufacturing, but is a great driving force behind the growth of mobile app industry. India is the third largest country in the world in Google play downloads. Combined with the number of mobile phone users in India, this is a clear indication that the mobile app industry is set for an exponential take off.

India also has an active app developer community which may further boost the market. Indian mobile app development companies are finding new ways to get into the market. A number of entrepreneurs are coming up with new app ideas with the target to capture the local market. With the launch of the “Make in India” initiative by the government, there are many small to medium entrepreneurs, who have entered the mobile software industry with the passion to capturing the local market through mobile technology. Though the growth of this sector would be primarily driven by the demand in the e-commerce in the retail segment, gaming, entertainment and such areas so as to have maximum inclusion of target customers, yet in order to give the desired push to this segment of economy, the government also needs to provide favourable environment.

At localized levels, many State Governments have taken the initiative of using mobile phone technology to provide transparent and accountable governance and for making available various kinds of public service to people. Such kinds of steps are required to be taken across all regions by both Central Government and different State Governments. There are many verticals, such as agriculture, healthcare, education and financial inclusion where apps can be designed at the local level, preferably in vernacular languages so as to increase the impact and reach of these initiatives. The government support in these sectors will certainly invigorate the mobile app development industry.

In order to bring about a dynamic growth in this sector, it is important that local players or the small and medium entrepreneurs are given sufficient encouragement and support in various forms, such as funding through banks, tax holiday, etc as well as encouragement to local companies for apps being developed on behalf of the government, which can play a significant role in invigorating the demand side of the industry. Anant Computing Platform – which develops the next generation of mobile apps for digitally inclusive India is addressing a number of local issues with its vernacular language apps. It is made for people who do not understand the language of the Apps – English, and government must push companies through various initiatives under “Make in India” plan.