Power Talk │ February 2021│Ready to Startup

Not one but many options to
choose from. Weigh each one
carefully to suit your proposed
business model
Grants
Many state governments or corporates or non-profits
do give equity free grant to work with. This is the best
thing to get for a start-up to get off and do the
prototype and do a proof of concept(POC). The grants
are most of the times not loaded with deliverables
but at times have certain milestones, checks and
measures; which are required so that the same
cannot be misused. I would also include prize money
at business plan competitions or hackathons in this
category. This i.e. the grant or prize money is the
safest form of investment and works best at an idea
stage, to build a prototype and perhaps a POC too.
Friends or family
If a grant is not available or one doesn’t qualify, this
is the next best thing that should be done and it can
be taken for a very small equity or on interest or on
a discounted convertible shares. This also works
best to build a prototype or do a POC or to make
you angel ready.
Incubators or Accelerators
or network, and their process and policy is also
something that the start-up needs to do. A background
check and past experience of the other startups that
are invested in by an investor or the fund, will help you
go ahead with the deal and build confidence and trust.
While the investor does a DD on you, with your
customers and or suppliers, a start-up should also do
the same for the investor.
Q
What are the different types of
investments a start-up can avail. Which is
the safest and most effective for early stage
startups?
Certain incubator’s and accelerator’s in addition to
providing you space & mentoring, also give you an
investment at a fixed valuation or at a convertible
note on future investments that you might get. This
is the 3rd best option if the incubator or accelerator
is of repute. Being part of an incubation or
accelerator program and/or qualifying for the same
also makes a difference on the overall valuation of
the start-up. Hence it is very critical that you chose
the right one and go ahead with some money that
you might have to pay, as in the long run the same
will be compensated with a better valuation.
Angel Investment
This is an equity based investment that an angel
would do either individually or collectively through a
network or through a fund that they are part of. This
is where the right match of the start-up and investor
has to be made, due diligence done at both ends,
valuation and investment amount agreed upon and
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