CHENNAI: Almost all states and Union territories are showing a friendlier approach to startups — extending incubation facilities, facilitating early-stage funding, or even formulating policies for them. However, sourcing from these startups is still only on paper and not in practice.Requirements like prior experience, turnover limits to engage startups, earnest money deposits and other “archaic” sourcing policies impede opportunities for these new generation businesses. An analysis of Startup India’s report that ranks states shows that the 27 states and 3 Union territories assessed fell short when it comes to providing an equal platform for startups vis-à-vis experienced companies in public procurement.“Overall, performance of majority states is below average in this (ease of procurement) pillar as 26 states scored between 0% to 25% of the maximum marks,” the report said. The national average score under this particular criterion was 1.27 out of 14 marks, with performance of majority states defined as ‘below average’.“While at the policy level exemptions have been declared for startups in many of these aspects, the procedures followed by the states are sometimes not in alignment with the Centre,” Ankit Mehta, co-founder and CEO, idea-Forge, told TOI.“It would be helpful to introduce easier bid eligibility, especially in the case of newer technologies like IOT and smart grids, which would aid infrastructure development,” said Ankur Pahwa, partner and national leader (e-commerce & consumer internet) at EY India.“Yes, there is more to be done to move away from age-old tendering procedures, but the open API policy under Digital India is a huge boon for tech entrepreneurs,” noted Avira Tharakan, CEO, DocsWallet.