I'm in India. In my experience with the companies, they don't even shortlist candidates that don't have a bachelor's degree (atleast that's what I've been told since I was 10)

Even if you are in India, you are not limited to India, are you? There are lot of companies hiring for remote python developers. If your manager thinks you are good then why not talk to him/her about the state of the startup you are working in? If s/he says that the situation at the startup is bad, then ask for reference and recommendation to support your future career path.