Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023, The Masterclass Series Session 5, offered a deep dive into the world of startups, exploring funding strategies, the significance of a robust ecosystem, and the vital role of corporate governance. Speakers Mr. Abhishek Sharma and Ms. Divya Momaya provided valuable insights into various aspects of startup development, fundraising stages, and preparation for IPOs

Mr. Abhishek Sharma, Founder of GYR Capital and Ms.  Divya Momaya led a communicative, where they deep dive into the world of startups, exploring funding strategies, the significance of a robust ecosystem, and the vital role of corporate governance. Experts provided valuable insights into various aspects of startup development, fundraising stages, and preparation for IPOs.

The session commenced with Mr. Abhishek Sharma discussing the pivotal role of a conducive ecosystem in driving startup success. He emphasized India’s growth stage, drawing insights from “The New World Order” book. The interplay of factors such as a youthful population, favorable policies, rising GDP per capita, and a vibrant startup ecosystem was explored. An intriguing concept named Trevini Sangam, symbolizing the convergence of economic, financial, and social powers, was introduced as a guiding force for India’s future.

Ms. Divya Momaya followed with an in-depth exploration of seed-stage startups and the intricacies of fundraising. The audience gained insights into the different stages of fundraising, starting from pre-seed and angel rounds to crowdfunding and series A and B. The significance of solid ideation, business structure, and the choice of a Private Limited (Pvt Ltd. ) company for fundraising endeavours was underscored. A novel fundraising tip, the 30:10:2 rule, advocated connecting with 30 individuals, receiving responses from 10, and possibly securing funding from 2.

Further, Ms. Divya explained the establishment of a robust startup framework and the pivotal role of corporate governance. She highlighted the Startup20 government framework’s support in navigating compliance, tax, policy, team dynamics, governance, and business strategy. A well-governed startup, it was emphasized, not only garners trust but also enhances fundraising prospects and aids in talent retention. The significance of experienced independent directors and advisory boards in steering startups through challenges and opportunities was underscored.

The session was took over by, Mr. Abhishek Sharma, elaborating on the traits of investible startups. He explained that startups that prioritize developing value-centric products, aligning with a clear vision, and addressing specific problems will always achieve greater success. The talk moved towards the importance of concentrated efforts on one core goal rather than dispersing resources across diversification. Mr. Sharma emphasized the role of unwavering passion and resilience in confronting obstacles and achieving meaningful milestones.

The session concluded with Mr. Abhishek Sharma sharing insights on preparing for startup Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Three critical factors were spotlighted: valuation, growth rate, and the investment-to-sales ratio. It was communicated that achieving a compelling valuation is a blend of effective storytelling and robust numerical backing. The importance of transparently showcasing sales growth and operational margins, as well as demonstrating the investment required to meet revenue goals, was elucidated. A cautionary note was sounded against pursuing capital acquisition solely for the sake of it, emphasizing the alignment of capital with strategic objectives.