No-Code as a Lifeline for Struggling Businesses in India’s Economic Downturn

This day, as we celebrate World Entrepreneurship Day, and the startup scene in India is more buzzing than ever. Everyone is discussing what entrepreneurs are doing well—or poorly—and how to improve it, from contentious discussions on X about AI-related job losses and global tariffs to Reddit threads about why 90% of startups fail. With a real GDP growth of approximately 6.5% this year, India's economy is expanding at a strong rate. But let face it, there is a harsh reality hidden behind the headlines of record exports and booming PMIs. Under
Trump, US tariffs are having a significant impact on industries like auto parts and textiles; inflation is low at 1.55%, but prices are rising sharply in some places; and the rise in unemployment is leaving many young Indians in a precarious situation. With funding down 25% to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2025 and over 28,000 startups closing their doors in the last two years alone, investors are becoming pickier about sustainable ideas
rather than ostentatious scaling. In the midst of this, no-code tools are becoming a game- changer—a straightforward, reasonably priced method for startups and small enterprises to adapt, innovate, and thrive without going over budget. The Tough Spot for Everyday Entrepreneurs Imagine this: You are a young businessperson in a Tier-II city like Jaipur or the owner of a small store in Mumbai. Cost increases, slow credit expansion, and competition from low-cost Chinese imports have all hurt your company and forced thousands of MSMEs to shut down. Household debt has increased, wages have stagnated, and private investment has slowed down over the past ten years. Founders are complaining on X about bureaucracy, which takes two months and requires bribes to complete registrations, or how AI is eliminating jobs in services and IT. The following post encapsulates it: "Private jobs at high risk due to global factors and AI... Planning for financial independence is no longer simple. Isn t it relatable? However, no-code acts like a superhero in this situation. These platforms reduce expenses and time by enabling you to create tools, websites, and apps without knowing a single line of code. Indias No-Code Boom in 2025 Indias adoption of no-code is booming in 2025. Leading the way are tools like Quixy, Appsmith, and Zoho Creator, which assist companies in automating everything from inventory control to customer portals. Around the world, 70% of new apps are now developed with little to no code, compared to just 25% in 2020. In India, this is helping SMEs grow quickly. The market is expected to grow from $35.86 billion this year to $187 billion by 2030, and developers can save up to 50% of their time with these tools. Why? Because no-code provides a low-risk solution during a downturn characterised by funding freezes and high failure rates—90% of Indian startups fail within five years as a result of poor market fit, cash flow
issues, or compliance headaches. A struggling e-commerce startup, for example, can reduce its dependency on costly coders and cloud services like AWS by using no-code to swiftly launch a custom app for order tracking. In
order to save money, founders on X are raving about moving to in-house data centres, and no- code fits right in by allowing for extremely low-cost scaling. Whats Buzzing: Discussions on Wins, Fails, and Fixes X is inundated with advice on navigating the hidden crisisof startup failures in August 2025: Prioritise product-market fit, reduce expenses, and use AI tools like Claude or Gemini to increase productivity. However, a lot of people are doing it incorrectly by following the hype, overvaluing unproven ideas, or disregarding compliance, which results in shutdowns and job losses (affecting over 400 startups and 200,000 people). "Founders rise—learn from
setbacks—startups collapse, cautions one founder. By enabling quick prototyping and low-cost idea testing, no-code helps correct these mistakes. Instead of waiting months for developers, create an MVP in a matter of days and make adjustments in response to actual user feedback. In light of todays talks on rate reductions, GST relief, and export incentives, the following helpful advice may help ease the pain: Practical Tips to Turn Things Around with No-Code Start Small, Scale Wisely: For easy wins, like automating customer chats or invoices, use no- code. This keeps your burn rate low during a period of high land and credit costs, which is crucial because 70% of failures occur between years two and five. Dodge Blues of Bureaucracy: By integrating compliance tools, platforms such as Zoho assist you n avoiding the "Raid Raj" traps that deter potential investors. Clean operations using no-code foster trust as IPOs line up and FPIs are cautious of bubbles.

● Make Use of AI Integration: AI for voice, coding, or analytics is now baked into no-code
tools, making them ideal for fending off AI's threat to jobs. To stay ahead, "Think out of the box," as one X user puts it.
● Focus on Domestic Strength: No-code assists in targeting Tier-II/III cities where GCCs are flourishing, as tariffs are imminent and 70% of India's GDP comes from local consumption. Create apps that meet local needs without relying heavily on imports.
● Gain Knowledge from Mistakes: Use no-code dashboards for data-driven adjustments and examine the reasons why others failed, such as a lack of vision or market research. Calls for reforms like rate cuts to boost morale are in line with this. India's Startup Wins Amid the Crunch With 1.57 lakh recognized startups, 122 unicorns, and 17.69 lakh jobs created by 2025, India's startup success stories are encouraging. However, in this economic crunch, no-code is more than just a tool—it's a lifeline for those who are struggling. Adopting no-code can transform obstacles into opportunities as poverty falls to 2.3% and patents increase 17 times. Let's pledge to innovate more intelligently and efficiently on this Entrepreneurship Day. Your company may appreciate it.