Shaunak Upadhya

Raising funding for a start-up? The journey to securing investment is full of highs and lows. We’ve faced a lot of “no’s” along the way, but each one has only sharpened our focus and strengthened our resolve. Right now, we’re in the middle of raising £2 million in investment. And despite the challenges, we remain laser-focused on our vision and where we’re headed. So, what keeps us pushing forward? It’s simple: an unwavering faith in the team and our mission: Obsessed with meeting influencers’ needs and the impact it can have. This isn’t just about raising capital—it’s about fuelling the next phase of growth. Once we secure the funding, we’re ready to scale, and we’ve got a solid plan in place. We’re also looking to expanding our team with 6 new people who we know we are going to hire: -3 highly experienced developers to keep pushing the boundaries of what our platform can do, -3 outstanding influencer managers to enhance the client experience and build stronger relationships with influencers. But as we all know, seeking investment is not simply asking for money—it’s about finding the right partners, those who believe in our vision as much as we do. The future we’re building is full of potential, and we’re excited to see the impact we can make in the industry with the right support behind us. PS: What strategies have worked for you when it comes to fundraising? Follow Nok Orrason for more. #business #startup #business #founder #fundraising

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Forget the "next big thing" – there's gold in the fundamentals. As founders of Seeders, we often get bombarded with messages about disruption, unicorn startups, and revolutionising industries. But what about those backbone businesses? Manufacturing. Distribution. Services. They're not always flashy, but they're vital. Here's the thing: You don't need a radically unique idea to break through in these sectors. Sometimes, it's about taking a basic problem that's been around forever and finding a fresh, better solution. ➡ Case in Point: #Refeel Awards ⬅ Early on, I realised the awards manufacturing sector was...let's just say it wasn't known for its innovation. Unreliable suppliers, lack of transparency, the same tired designs. It was a pain point, but also an opportunity. We didn't reinvent the trophy. We brought tech, streamlined processes, and relentless focus on customer service to a traditional industry. The result? Today, we are one of the India's top awards manufacturer. Success in "fundamental" industries is about: Seeing the overlooked problems: What do customers take for granted as "just the way things are"? Fix that, and you've got an edge. Execution over flash: Maybe your solution isn't about AI or blockchain. But if it's superior quality, reliability, or simply doing things better – you'll win. Passion for the "unglamorous": Love revolutionising supply chains? Obsessed with finding the perfect widget supplier? That enthusiasm is infectious and builds businesses. What's a "fundamental" industry that's ripe for a shakeup according to you?  👇 #entrepreneurship #innovation #manufacturing #MSME #RefeelAwards

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Founders => VCs can work in your favour - for FREE - no equity required. When they invest in a competitor, within 12 - 18 months that business is more likely to go up in smoke. If not its likely its prices will go up as they try to catch up to their business plan giving you cost advantage. After 24 months there is a good chance they will start losing staff and customers. Be ready to catch them and learn from their mistakes. #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #VCInsights #BusinessStrategy #LearningFromFailure #CompetitiveEdge 

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Are you a founder raising your first round of funding in 2024? Want to learn the art of storytelling to raise the equity round? Hear from a panel of VCs from Elevation Capital, Better Capital & founders of Crunch 👇🏼 As a founder, you are always selling - to investors, clients, team and sometime to your friends & family. This live masterclass is to help you nail your story while raising first round of capital. Learn nuances — 1. Identify & approach right investors 2. Arriving at a realistic valuation that’ll sell 3. Planning T-3/6/12 months before the raise 4. Designing a deck that oozes authentic your story 5. Leveraging investor relations to unlock unfair advantage The panel — Vaibhav Domkundwar (CEO of Better Capital) Ashray Iyengar Iyenger (VP at Elevation Capital) Vikram Aditya (CEO of Crunch, GrowthX® members since 2021) If you are a founder raising this year & want to be attend this live panel, go to the link in comments to attend (even if you are not a GrowthX member yet). Opening 25 spots for founders outside GrowthX community. Link to grab a free pass is in comments.

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Whilst there remain plenty challenges to building startups in the UK, as Dan Bowyer says, this is news to celebrate. Nurturing innovation in the UK requires more than just VC money in, but it's a pretty good start.

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According to venture culture, pre-seed founders need to👇 👉 Raise £500k - £1m 👉 At valuations of £5m - £10m 👉 To grow exponentially quickly But every year, many thousands of founders 👇 👉 Raise £10k - £50k to start a business 👉 At a valuation of under £1m 👉 Grow at a steady rate We need to stop trying to build a business for VCs There are so many better ways to build.

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Something new I’d like to start this week - shoutouts to the rising stars in the startup space 🚀 Whenever I see news of startups raising funds, I’m reminded of our own fundraise journey. Choosing the right investors and ushering in the funding round is certainly a long, arduous and nerve-racking process. It must be a similar feeling for these start-ups this week, which have cumulatively raised $579.5 million. A staggering amount, showing how much the world believes in India’s growth story! I have one appeal to all my fellow founders after a milestone event. The sky is the limit now and before you dive into your next phase of growth, take a break to recharge before you go all out. One of my biggest learnings this year has been the importance of taking timeouts to pause, reflect, and re-energise. Just know that we would love to be a part of your breaks. We will be happy to host you and your team at our vacation villas. 🏖️ The stay would entirely be on us. If you like the idea, please write to: TeamIndia@stayvista.com Let’s normalise founders taking a break, because they deserve it! #YouDeserveABreak Zepto, HealthKart, Zopper, Kratos Gamer Network, Locad, Blitz, CredFlow, Proost Beer (Grano69 Beverages), Doodhvale Farms, Abyom SpaceTech, Swish, Biryani By Kilo, Indic Wisdom Private Limited, Theranautilus, Taqtics, Billion Hearts Software Technologies, Matrix Geo Solutions Pvt Ltd.

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🌟 Started angel investing at 25, building a diverse investment portfolio with dividends from my first business. 👩‍💼 Ended up as the main judge at the NatWest Group and Two Chicks Female Founders competition - congrats to cubbi and eNOugh for their wins! 🚀 Lessons from angel investing so far: - High risk, high reward - be prepared to lose it all and yet always have an interesting ride along the way. - Beyond finances - it's about relationships, knowledge, learning, and insights - Having an investing framework is crucial - adapted Ikigai guides my investments on the alignment and impact - Partner up with other angels for deal flow, due diligence, references and insights - Diversity is key for angels and founders - more work needed for underrepresented communities in this space! #notwithmymoney campaign launched to promote equitable investments in government-funded institutions. Check out www.notwithmymoney.info to sign the open letter! Let's continue to work towards a more inclusive and diverse investment landscape! 💪 #angelinvesting #diversityandinclusion #womeninbusiness #notwithmymoney 👼💰🚀🌈

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What happens when you try to bring the mindset of board-driven large organisations to startups? Startups fail. The post below is for running board-driven startups.

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Why Bootstrapping could be the best bet for your startup. 🚀Pro: Building with Limited Resources Starting with limited resources might seem daunting, but it’s a surefire way to ignite creativity and innovation. As a founder, bootstrapping has compelled me to think outside the box, making decisions that prioritise efficiency and effectiveness. This scrappy approach ensures that every penny spent is an investment toward real, measurable outcomes. 💡Pro: Ensuring Product-Market Fit One of the biggest advantages of bootstrapping is the forced focus on building something that customers truly want. Without the cushion of significant external funding, your venture remains lean, constantly adapting to meet real user needs. This not only increases the chances of achieving product-market fit but also sets a solid foundation for scalable success. 📈Pro: Fundamentally Profitable Business Bootstrapping teaches you to monitor your financial health closely from day one. Operating within your means and focusing on revenue generation from the early stages ensures your business model is fundamentally profitable. This financial discipline is invaluable, regardless of whether you decide to seek additional funding later. 🔁Con: Slower Scaling The major trade-off with bootstrapping is often speed. Without significant capital injections, scaling can take longer. This slow pace can sometimes mean missing out on market opportunities or falling behind better-funded competitors. 🔧Con: Resource Limitations Limited resources mean you’re often juggling multiple roles, from CEO to customer service. While this is great for understanding every aspect of your business, it can stretch your capabilities thin and lead to burnout if not managed properly. Key Takeaway 📊 Bootstrapping isn't just a funding choice; it's a mindset. By committing to this path, I’ve learned to build a product that not only sells but also sustains its own growth through real revenue. My advice? 💭 Only consider raising funds when you have a proven business model to scale up. This approach has not only worked for me but also for many successful entrepreneurs who started with a vision and a shoestring budget. #Entrepreneurship #Bootstrapping #StartupLife #BusinessGrowth

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As a startup mentor, I often hear founders worry about not securing funding or failing to impress investors. But sometimes, the no you receive is the best thing for your growth. Sophie is the founder of See The Way I See, a mental health awareness brand inspired by her own battles with anxiety and chronic migraines. What started as selling stickers with positive affirmations has grown into a successful apparel line featuring hoodies and crewnecks with mental health slogans. When Sophie appeared on Shark Tank in 2023, her emotional pitch captured the Sharks' attention. She revealed incredible milestones—$260,000 in sales in just 24 hours and over $2.3 million in total sales since launching in 2020. But despite her success, Sophie didn’t land a deal. Why? The Sharks felt she was already on the right track and didn’t need their investment to keep growing. So, ask yourself: Are you building something so authentic and impactful that even a "no" becomes a vote of confidence? Her story teaches us: ▪️The power of building a business that reflects your personal values. ▪️How community connection can be your strongest foundation. ▪️And that sometimes, a "no" means you're already winning. So, as an entrepreneur, what can you take away from Sophie’s journey? For me, it’s a reminder to stay true to the why behind your business and let that guide your growth. If you’re building something meaningful, sometimes all you need is the belief that you’re already on the right path. Video credits: Shark Tank #sharktank #startup #entrepreneurship

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According to venture culture, pre-seed founders need to👇 👉 Raise £500k - £1m 👉 At valuations of £5m - £10m 👉 To grow exponentially quickly But every year, thousands of founders 👇 👉 Raise £10k - £50k to start a business 👉 At a valuation of under £1m 👉 To grow at a steady rate We need to stop trying to build a business for VCs

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The most common mistake for #startup is to do right things at wrong time. The biggest shortage for #atartup is time - and focusing on doing things that are not needed (at that time) causes that needed things are delayed or not done. #camelstartup

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With funding being celebrated, and huge losses being viewed as normal, here’s my controversial take: Not all startups should aim for rapid scaling and massive funding. Many entrepreneurs equate success with raising large sums of money and expanding quickly. This can be a mistake. Firstly, scaling too fast can dilute the company’s vision. For example, a startup focused on sustainable products might compromise on quality to meet investor demands for quick returns. This not only affects the product but can also damage the brand. Secondly, massive funding often comes with strings attached. Investors usually seek control and quick profits, which can lead to pressure and stress for founders. I've seen startups pivot from their original mission just to satisfy investor demands. This can lead to a loss of authenticity and passion, which are crucial for long-term success. Thirdly, managing wealth wisely is essential. Instead of burning through capital on fancy offices and excessive marketing, I believe in prudent spending. A close friend of mine bootstrapped his industrial valve manufacturing company, focusing on customer satisfaction and organic growth. Today, his company is profitable and he retains full control. In conclusion, not every startup needs to scale rapidly or raise huge funds. Staying true to your vision, managing finances wisely, and growing at a sustainable pace can lead to a more fulfilling and successful entrepreneurial journey. Satco Wealth Private Limited

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Medial's first pitch deck was a two page word document. Here's what it had in total - 1) About the founders. (3-4 lines each with LinkedIN links). 2) About the product and "Why Now?". 3) Our vision in longterm. 4) How'd we utilise the capital. 5) How much are we looking to raise. All text, a few screenshots from the apps figma design. That's it. Scored us our first VC investment alongside 5 angels. When we extended this round recently, it was the same text deck with metrics. That's it. I had thought of getting a deck designed, building a story but then resorted to doing what I do best- Write.

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On Founder Mode Firstly, thank Paul Graham for coining a word and making it a sensation in less than a week. The powers-to-be have deemed it to be 'the' way to operate as a startup founder. The last decade has benefitted me by allowing me to interact with 100+ founders so my 2 cents on it :-) 1. Most founders from this part of the world (India, MEA, SEA, APAC, etc.) already operate in this mode. It was called 'Hustle' until Sunday, and it is now 'Founder Mode'. 2. A few folks pointed out that since SV startups get larger funding rounds, this can be a real problem. However, this is the first time I have seen this happen at startups in the east. 3. Regardless of the mode one operates in, whether hustle, founder, or operator, it's no excuse to be anything less than a decent human being. 4. The best founders have their working style. They find people comfortable with their style, and the environment helps the organization grow. Finding your tribe is not a cliche—it's straightforward advice. Anyways, back to #FounderMode ;)

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Selling your business can be daunting! There may be a sea of buyers around you, but finding the right one isn't straightforward. Private equity and competitors can often see businesses as just numbers, without considering the stories and people behind them. But here at Guddi Growth, we believe in a different approach. We don't believe in quick exits or short-term profits. Instead, we prioritize sustainable growth for the long-term. We understand that selling your business is not just a financial decision, but an emotional and personal one as well. That's why we take the time to get to know you and your personal aspirations, ensuring that our relationship is built on trust and mutual understanding. #smb #legacytech #saas

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🗞️𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 🗞️ Week 30 Similar to my video earlier, today's episode of The Unsophisticated Investor explores Angel Investors and why wealth or cheque size does not equal value. For anyone interested in investing in startups, this episode might help you think about the type of value you could bring to a young company and its founders. As usual, good to bad, I'm posting last week's numbers below. We hope you enjoy! Link to subscribe in the comments!

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