Capital
How to ask for an investor introduction
Make any introduction easy to say yes or no to: name the milestone the money unlocks, label your evidence honestly, and research fit from the investor's own words.
Capital
Funding is a decision about ownership, repayment and timing before it is a decision about amounts. These guides help Indian founders choose the route that fits their business: government schemes and loans, incubators and accelerators, angel networks and early-stage VCs, with every requirement linked to its official source. Founders my team helped with investor search and outreach have raised $10M+, and the same habits run through every guide: know the milestone the money unlocks, label your evidence honestly and approach investors who back businesses like yours. Start with the Indian funding routes, then prepare your investor introduction.
18 articles
Choose the funding route before the list
Customer revenue, loans, grants and equity solve different problems. Start with the milestone, ownership and repayment constraints.
Want to understand my approach? Read about me, or describe what you are working through.
Capital
Startup funding in India: grants, loans and eligibility
The long-running Indian schemes, loans and grants worth knowing, with who each fits, what you get in rupees and how to apply. Start with your situation, not the biggest number.
Capital
Startup accelerators: compare fit, costs and equity
What the best-known accelerators actually offer, in their own currency: the deal, the format, who each one suits and where to apply. Plus how to decide whether you need one at all.
Capital
Startup incubators in India: choose by business need
India has hundreds of incubators. Here are the long-established ones, what each is known for and how to apply, plus how to choose the right kind for your business.
Capital
Early-stage VC firms in India: check fit before pitching
Before you build a fundraising list, check whether venture capital fits your business and your goals. Then see India's long-established early-stage VC firms and how to reach them.
Capital
Angel investor networks: eligibility and how to approach
India's best-known angel networks and platforms, what each one does and how to apply, plus how to decide whether angel money is right for your business.
Capital
Startup pitch competitions: eligibility, costs and prizes
Annual competitions where early founders can win prizes, investment and visibility, with what each offers and how to enter. They're great for visibility as well as money.
Capital
Venture studios: compare teams, equity and control
A venture studio co-builds companies with founders for equity. Here's how to judge what you'd give up, plus the best-known studios worldwide.
Capital
Startup funding by country: compare your options
Long-running funding programmes for founders in India and nine other countries, in each country's own currency, with links to full details and official sources.
Capital
US small business funding: grants, loans and eligibility
The long-running US programmes founders ask me about: SBA loans, SBIR research grants, export support, tax credits and grants for women founders, in US dollars.