The document discusses various strategies for funding a startup, including raising money from friends and family, meeting with angel investors through one's existing network, focusing fundraising efforts on investors knowledgeable about the relevant industry sector, and attending networking events to build connections with potential advisors, investors and mentors. It emphasizes having a clear plan, understanding the funding landscape, and preparing an effective pitch for investors.

1. Funding your Startup? Take a step at a time!
No one's waiting to pool money in your startup just because you have an exciting out-of-
the-box business idea! Harsh as it sounds, it’s the reality! Startup funding doesn't come
easy…it’s a tough nut to crack. Practiced investors will always expect to own a portion of
the business and wait for huge (mind it…not just good…huge) returns on the funds they
provide. This sure can add to stress of an already hassled entrepreneur. Then again, if
funding was so easy, wouldn't everyone jump onto the 'starting a startup' bandwagon?
While there is not hidden formula, here's a list of the most common ways to raise funds
with some first-hand rules of thumb from young, dynamic entrepreneurs.
1. Chalk Out A Plan Of Action
"Timing is key" Srinivas Potukuchi, CEO and Founder of Glowship stated. He added that you
have to have a correct time frame…prioritize your conversations…be it with family and
friends during the seed funding process or angel investors. Glowship is a one-of-a-kind
online marketplace for energy and environment related products. "The first funding that
any startup usually receives is from friends and family. It is best to get investors who
understand the sector you are operating in and can therefore appreciate your problems
and add significant value to the company" he added.
To this Arpita Kapoor, founder of Mech Mocha Games and a recent winner of the prominent
female Indie award at Casual Connect Europe added that, "At a little later stage in the
company, when you are looking for angel investors, the sure shot way to get a hold of them
is to get back to your old angel investors and they will in turn help you raise your next
round of funding via their networks". Mech Mocha Games creates high quality character-
centric games for casual gamers.
2. Do Your Homework
When it comes to angel investment, it is important to go with investors who have been
around in the investing business for a while and have a proven track record of investing in
start-ups. Meet with relevant investors who understand the efforts you are putting in.
Lokesh Makam, Founder and MD of Barrix Agro Sciences, includes that an investor should
understand the dynamics of the sector you are in…half your work is done when you have
the investor who understands your business and sector. Srinivas' additional comment on
this was," Know the people you are fundraising from…save time, energy, cost!"
3. Start The Hunt
 Seed funding is your own savings/money from family and friends that you pool
in…also known as bootstrapping. Srinivas inserts, " Friends and family who

2. understood the sector were able to appreciate it better. Having a proof-of-concept is
a good idea. I embarked on fundraising when I had a group of concepts in place."
 Angel investor funding gives you that additional leverage, over your seed capital to
allow your business to stand on its own feet. Arpita says that meeting only relevant
investors is key. Do not waste your time.
 Venture capital is for companies that are already into their business and are
looking to expand. Lokesh mentions, "Startups should concentrate only on their
business and plans. It is the idea of the entrepreneur that matters and he/she should
focus only on that. Do not follow money alone…work hard and money will follow.
Take one vision and activity at a time."
4. Get A Network System In Place
Often the best way to receive funding is the good ol' way of networking. Attend workshops,
boot camps and events that help you not only understand how funding really occurs, but
also the various parameters, types etc. 10 investors will have 10 different perspectives on
you and your business. Do not be disappointed by the feedback you get. Attend events to
meet relevant people…advisors, investors, mentors, fellow entrepreneurs. If you cannot be
part of a seed accelerator program, try networking through events, social media, seminars
and much more happening across cities each day.
5. Be Prepared
Before you delve into asking for funding, you will have to argue your case to the investors.
Like Arpita says, " Ready your pitch. You don’t know your business strategy…no one knows.
Know your goals and know the people you are talking to." With the feedback you get, don't
lose hope. Meet as much relevant people as you can.
…and finally…
Getting funds together for your business is no rocket science. With a right plan of action in
place and making sure you hone your pitch until your investors are vowed, getting financed
isn't that complicated. Make money…its time you leave your fingerprints on the
world…what say?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Srinivas Potukuchi is the CEO and Founder of Glowship. Glowship is a unique, first of
its kind marketplace for energy and environment related products, solutions and
services. The Glowship marketplace platform carries a wide selection of high quality
products from leading manufacturers sold by authorized merchants at very
competitive prices. Srinivas started his career with ITC as a Management trainee
where he developed strong competencies in Manufacturing, Operations & General

3. Management. Srinivas has an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from
IIT Madras, India, and an MBA from Stanford University USA.
o https://in.linkedin.com/in/srinivaspotukuchi
Lokesh Makam is the Founder and Managing Director of Barrix Agro Sciences.
Lokesh holds an MBA degree in Pharmaceuticals Management and has over 14 years
of experience in field. Barrix Agro Sciences seeks to develop technology enabled
cost-effective solutions to reduce the use of pesticides in crop production, thereby
increasing pre and post harvest yield. Barrix Agro Sciences has served about 15,000
farmers and sold around 50,000 traps in 16 districts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu.
o https://in.linkedin.com/in/lokeshmakam
Arpita Kapoor is the Founder of Mech Mocha Games, a company that creates high
quality character-centric games for casual gamers. Her venture is part of the
iAccelerator 2013 batch from CIIE, IIM-A. Arpita had done her Higher Secondary at
DPS, VasantKunj, Delhi and graduated from Indian Institute of Information
technology and Management, Gwalior. She was a previous International Game
Developer’s Association Scholar and was the Technical Consultant for DIGIT
Magazine. She previously worked on the game APOX as a Graphic Programming
Intern for Blue Giant Interactive.
o https://in.linkedin.com/in/arpitakapoor