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<ul><li><keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword> has closed its fundraising for the <keyword id="6129174" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAN-Fund">IAN Fund</keyword> after raising at ₹375 crore.</li><li>The fund over exceeded its target by ₹25 crore. </li><li>It currently has 34 companies in its portfolio, including the recently turned unicorn startup Druva.</li></ul>Seed and early stage investment platform Indian Angel Network closed its capital raising activity for the IAN Fund as it overshot its target by ₹25 crore. The fund raised ₹375 crore in all. “The fact that we have achieved and exceeded our capital target underlines our impressive growth trajectory and highlights the faith that investors have in our vision. Moving ahead, we aim to scale newer heights and play a bigger role in transforming and nurturing India’s entrepreneurial landscape,” said Padmaja Ruparel, founding Partner of the IAN Fund. Some of the fund’s participants include Institutional investors like SIDBI’s Fund of Funds for <keyword id="6362513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups">Startups</keyword>, IIFL, Wadhwani Foundation, Yes Bank, Max Group, Gray Matters Capital, and Hyundai. Individual investors like Kris Gopalakrishnan, Sunil Munjal, Rajan Anandan, Kanwal Rekhi too invested in the fund. IAN fund was founded in 2017 and since then it has been an active angel investor. It has 34 companies in its portfolio, including Druva which recently turned a unicorn. The other startups it funded includes the QSR chain Wow Momo, wedding platform WedMeGood. The sector agnostic fund primarily invest in AI and machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, biotech, cleantech, fintech, agritech and healthtech.

Indian Angel Network closes its fund after raising ₹375 crores

<keyword id="948730" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="angel-investment">Angel investment</keyword> in Indian startups hit a five-year high in the year that ended in March 2016. While venture capital firms may appear to be stumbling, existing angel investors are pumping in serious money into Indian startups. 
 “4-5 years ago, there wasn’t enough money available. As more entrepreneurs are turning angels, the money has increased. Also, more people are willing to risk being an entrepreneur. As more good entrepreneurs are out, more people are willing to invest. It’s a cycle.” Saurabh Srivastava from <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword> smiles. 
 
According to a recent report by venture debt firm InnoVen Capital, angel investment in India in FY16 stood at a whopping Rs.113.6 Crores over 69 deals. That’s a 62% hike in deal value and 47% in deal volume from last year. 
 
VC (Venture Capital) firms have turned increasingly cautious about their bets since late last year. This has forced several startups to shutdown or rollback. However, angel investors remained upbeat. Angel investments initially slumped from the June quarter of 2015 to Rs.20.19 Crores in the September quarter and Rs.18.9 Crores in the December quarter. However, investment activity soon picked up in the March quarter when Rs.33.36 Crores of fresh capital was pumped into the ecosystem. 
 
Srivastava explains the phenomenon. “The funding slowdown didn’t affect the angel investment cycle because while big PE firms were affected by the Chinese slump, at the angel level, that’s never an issue. The companies we invest in will mature over the next 3-5 years. The slowdown will have moved by then.” 
 India’s four major angel groups are the Indian Angel Network, <keyword id="1197633" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai-Angels">Chennai Angels</keyword>, <keyword id="1786254" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Calcutta-Angels">Calcutta Angels</keyword>, <keyword id="948689" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hyderabad-Angels">Hyderabad Angels</keyword> and <keyword id="164924" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mumbai-Angels">Mumbai Angels</keyword>. 
Srivastava says the focus on cash conservation and unit economics instead of only growth would ensure angels never fund a startup bubble. 
 
“It’s all about the pace at which we fund. Our typical investment is under a million dollar. If somebody wants a $10-20 million valuation, we simply won’t invest. There’s no pressure to deploy”, he observes. 
 
So startups, that’s the bottom-line. Run fast or slow, that’s fine. Just run. 
 
<a href="http://jamaicabolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Usain-bolt-on-your-mark.jpg">Image source</a>

Why India’s angel investment won’t ever see a slowdown

Even though the government has decided to repeal the controversial '<keyword id="6406536" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Angel-Tax">angel tax</keyword>', experts believe that a number of start-ups will not be able to benefit from this because of the additions in the new regulation. 
 
'Angel tax' is the tax that the government planned to levy on investments in start-ups; however, since it was considered regressive by many and the fact that it led to many start-ups exiting from the country, it was decided to be amended. 
 
However, start-up experts think that it will still continue to pester start-ups, given that the amendments ask to exempt only those firms that have been classified as start-ups under the new government regulations, which means that only the start-ups stamped from the Inter-ministerial Board of Certification should be exempted from the tax. 
 
For this stamp, start-ups needs to fulfil several criteria like, the company should not be more than five-year old, it should not have turnover exceeding Rs 25 crore, tit should be working towards innovation and commercialisation of new products or services, and it should be driven by technology or intellectual property. 
 
Of course, several start-ups are yet to go for this certification. 
 
Also, the fact that the new regulation will not apply to retrospective investments also leaves many start-ups open to be questioned by tax authorities. 
 "It will definitely have a positive impact but it is not a complete but a partial solution," Saurabh Srivastava, cofounder of <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword>, told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/policy-trends/investors-see-devil-in-the-details-say-angel-tax-exemption-will-not-benefit-several-startups/articleshow/52825377.cms">ET</a>. "For all angel investments that were made in the last few years ever since the Section 56 came into being, the start-ups and angel investors are today being harassed by income-tax authorities which have opened up their investment records. This is not a good scenario and is upsetting angels," he said. 
 
Srivastava is in talks with the government so that there is a way to certify angel groups, which would mean that investments made through them will be exempted from taxation. "This will be the next logical step and would solve 99 per cent of the problem," he said. 
 
<a href="https://ithinkbigger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/angel-investor-31816.jpg">Image source</a>

Taxed for being an ‘angel’? Several start-ups won’t benefit even as angel tax is revoked, say experts

India's start-up fever is no more exclusive to big cities, as smaller cities and towns across the country are now breeding entrepreneurs. To aid them, <keyword id="3513449" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="regional-angel-investors">regional angel investors</keyword> are also showing up in these places so that they can find and fund these new ventures. 
 <keyword id="3105940" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chandigarh-Angel-Network">Chandigarh Angel Network</keyword>, Indore’s Swan Angel Network, and Madurai’s Native Angel Network are a few examples of the fresh regional angel groups to have started operations in the last one year. 
 
"There are multiple informal groups in Chandigarh to mentor startups, but in order to raise money, startups had to go to metros," Vineet Khurana, VP, operations, at Chandigarh Angel Network told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/money/angel-investors-cropping-up-in-small-cities-to-fund-their-new-entrepreneurs/articleshow/53389063.cms">ET</a>. 
 "Also, there are ample <keyword id="6365770" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="angel-investors">angel investors</keyword> in the city but they were not essentially part of a formal network, hence education about the nitty-gritties of angel investing was missing," he added. 
 
This new group of investors include non-resident Indians and high net-worth individuals, who want to tap into these regional angel groups based in tier-II cities for memberships. Swan Angel Network, based in Indore that houses around 60 start-ups, has grown to more than 38 members in the last six months, out of which a majority belongs to professionals and people running family businesses. 
 
<a href="https://inc42.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/angel-investor.jpg">Image source</a>

Angel investors are now looking at small cities to ‘find and fund’ new entrepreneurs

<keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword> (IAN), which is India’s first and world’s largest angel investor network, has invested an undisclosed amount in <keyword id="6550201" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Staqu">Staqu</keyword>, a Gurgaon-based research start-up focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), working in automated image understanding technology. 
 On behalf of IAN, it was <keyword id="1710874" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bikky-Khosla">Bikky Khosla</keyword>, Neeraj Singal and Ajay Gupta who led the funding round, which as per sources will be used to further build technology and build up the team. Khosla would also be joining the Staqu board. 
 
Founded in 2015, Staqu’s core team includes researchers and engineers. 
 “We plan to invest this round to expand the computational strength of our <keyword id="3438817" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="VGrep-Lab">VGrep Lab</keyword> (AI research lab at Staqu) and fuel it with clusters of GPUs and other technical resources. Currently, we are applying our research to solve pressing problems in the e-commerce sector. In the near future, we are planning on use it to address issues across other market segments, too. Throughout the funding process, our ideas were constantly cross-questioned, which helped us set a clear vision and goals,” said Atul Rai, co-founder and CEO said. 
 
Staqu uses AI and engineering for image processing, deep learning, computer vision, NLP and overall improvement of users’ daily mobile experience. 
 
“IAN is extremely excited about Staqu and its proposition. Search is becoming very complex and consumer experience demands precise results of articles being searched. Staqu AI engine is the best that we have seen and can help increase the sales of its e-commerce customers by delivering superior customer experience. It can also create alternate revenue streams for its OEM customers. The team is rock solid with background in research and product development. We look forward to be a part of Staqu’s journey to deliver a true global product from India,” said Khosla. 
 
Image source

IAN invests in AI-based research venture Staqu

As Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> has set the ball rolling with the announcement of his 19-point Startup action plan amid much fanfare, the move aimed at boosting employment generation and wealth creation has generated huge enthusiasm and been largely welcomed by the industry. 
 
As India waits to see much more indigenous innovation in the days to come, here are key VCs, investors and startups reflecting on the various provisions of the Startup Action plan, and how they feel it will impact the startup industry in the recent future. Take a look: 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/PMModi-announces-mega-Startup-India-policy-amidst-wild-cheering-from-the-industry/articleshow/50606172.cms">ALSO READ: PM Modi announces mega #Startup India policy amidst wild cheering from the industr</a>y 
 
Vinod Murali, Managing Director, Innoven Capital: 
 
The Government already has a credit guarantee scheme under CGTMSE which has been operational but start-ups have struggled to get through the due process with different PSU banks to avail funds. The key here is to improve credit delivery and educate banks well enough to support the Prime Minister’s vision. Start-ups require capital for growth which can be in the form of debt or equity and it is important to find appropriate partners who understand their lifecycle and aspirations. 
 
Saurabh Shrivastava, Chairman, <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword> 
 
“Specific to the PM's announcements, the 3 year window for self certification will free startups from the rent seeking inspector raj and is very welcome as is the 3 month window for closing down a startup, which would be great if it applied to all companies. The tax break is welcome though most startups take longer to be profitable. Most of all, his signal for change and recognition of the critical role that startups can play in employment creation, economic growth and solving India's challenges through innovation was fantastic. That will now percolate through all levels of politics and bureaucracy and will be a game changer for India.” 
 
Archit Gupta, CEO &amp; Founder, ClearTax.in: 
 
The government has shown good intent to keep the start-up eco system buoyant and be an enabler in the process. Some of the moves are very positive if implemented, especially around reduced compliance. It is hoped in due course all the announcements shall be delivered. As announced, mobile app shall be launched on 1st April. 
 
The ease of opening a start-up has been simplified, can be done through a mobile app and will take a day. A shorter form shall be applicable. Earlier setting up a company required various registrations will all requiring the same set of documents, address proof, PAN, TAN etc. This will help start-ups focus on their work and avoid unnecessary delays. 
 
Self-certification to laws such as payment of gratuity act, labour laws, employees’ provident fund act, the ESI act etc. No need for obtaining physical certificates for compliance with these laws. In case of the labour laws, no inspections will be conducted for a period of 3 years.The government is moving towards digital compliance which is necessary to support growth.Given ClearTax is more than 3 years old, not many of the compliance steps are applicable to us right now. But we are sure to benefit from other proposals, such as setting up of a ‘Start up India hub’ and relaxed capital gains tax norms. We look forward to further details in the upcoming budget. 
 
Shashank ND, Founder &amp; CEO, Practo 
 
“With the Start Up Action plan, we will see more young entrepreneurs take the risk of starting their own venture and building innovative solutions to solve meaningful problems for Indian as well as for the global audience. I think the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill that will allow startups to exit faster, within 90 days is a great step towards encouraging more people to take the plunge of starting a new venture, without the fear of failure. We at Practo believe that acquisitions are a great way to grow together and move faster, and with this bill, we hope to see more startups collaborate and solve the problems faster, with a solution that is scalable for a larger audience. 
 
The relaxation of the financial and labour norms is also a great step towards making things simpler for young startups so they can focus on innovation without getting entangled in some of these norms that are more applicable to larger entities. I am extremely excited about the Atal Innovation Mission, this will help foster innovation at a grass root level among students in schools and colleges, which will in turn encourage more youngsters to enter the field of entrepreneurship and innovate and create some ground breaking products that will be used by people around the world. India is already a leading startup hub and I am convinced that with the right support from the government, it can rapidly become the innovation hub of the world.” 
 
Anurag Avula, CEO and Founder, Shopmatic: 
 
The easing of the financial and labour norms is a fantastic initiative. It encourages new entrepreneurs and start-ups to focus on innovation without having to struggle with additional taxes etc. With progressive initiatives by the Government, India is bound to succeed in its mission to be leading the charge in being the Start Up Capital of the world. Shopmatic started with the intent of helping anyone sell online. Any progressive initiative that benefits business growth for our merchants and individual entrepreneurs, is a step in a positive direction. 
 
Ajith Karimpana, CEO &amp; Founder, Furlenco: 
 Income tax exemption for three years is sufficiently interesting. Most of the new age startups which are on the growth path will seldom be able to generate profits in the first three years. Startups like other companies would certainly benefit more with the <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword> since that has a larger impact on the bottomline and cashflow companies. 
 Companies are setting up head offices in Singapore for multitude of reasons and one of the primary reasons is India public market regulations. <keyword id="35210" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sebi">SEBI</keyword> regulation easing and GST would have more impact on bringing back startups to India. Furlenco is registered in India. We have high hopes on the government easing rules and we will try our best not to go out of the country. The startup action plan looks promising. Now we need to wait and see how it is executed. 
 
Ashutosh Pande, Founder &amp; Chief Innovation officer, PaySe 
 
“The recent announcements made by the Prime Minister on the Startup India, Standup India initiative highlights Government’s focus on fostering innovation in the country. The start-up India action plan works on the lines of entrepreneurial spirit, making it fast paced with the introduction of Mobile Apps for registration of the Start-up, lesser number of days to file patents and lower fee for acquiring patents. Since Intellectual Property is the asset of a start-up we hope to see a forum, possibly a special fast track court, for efficient disposal of IP infringement case. Financial Inclusion has been highlighted as an area ripe for innovation. Our patent pending and disruptive technology PaySe™ delivers digital cash; it is cash without the paper just as digital music is music without the CD. PaySe™ takes DBT funds digitally to the hands of the recipient as opposed to their bank account. This enables banks and MFI’s to deliver daily loan (as less as a 100 rupee) to those less fortunate. With the start-up India action plan, the Government has tried to bring favourable policies for start-ups, promising a conducive environments for entrepreneurs.” 
 
(Image credits: BCCL)

Startup India’s real start to come in the way it
can access funds

A Kolkata-based quick service restaurant chain ‘Wow! Momo’ is serving the Tibetan dish which has over years become one of India’s favourite street side snack in the most bizarre ways. A look at its menu flaunting Chocolate <keyword id="76833" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="momos">momos</keyword>, Moburg (momo burgers), prawn and fish momos, pizza momos and what not, can have you drooling! 

	The story of this startup reminds us of the famous phrase: every drop of water counts and together these drops can fill a dry pond. Here’s why!
 Based out of a small kiosk in a 30-square feet space in a Kolkata mall, two friends Sagar Daryani and Binod Homagai would sell momos to consumers on their own making Rs 2000 a day. Who would have expected the duo would soon become owners of a fast food restaurant chain that has spread it wings across six cities today (which include Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Kochi, and Delhi) and is expanding fiercely. After raising the first round of <keyword id="6357455" type="EVENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Funding">funding</keyword>, the company is going really fast now with 43 outlets in March to 63 in December. 

	“We started with Rs 30,000 and we bootstrapped for the next 6.5 years to reach a turnover of Rs 20 cores last March without any funding,” Sagar told Business Insider. 
 By the time they approached investors and zeroed in on the first round of funding from <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword> (IAN), the startup was already at a turnover of Rs 20 crore, a run rate of Rs 2 crore a month from its 43 store count. 

	“I met Sanjeev Bikhchandani in Kolkata last year at Tiecon. We got talking and as destiny would have it, it somehow worked for both of us,” recounts Sagar, who was able to raise Rs 10 crore in August last year. The investment is being used to expand aggressively across cities and improving the product range for a better consumer experience. Currently, their product line comprises different variants of momos, thukpa, and meals. They serve 11 different flavors of momos available in steamed, fried, pan-fried, sizzler, and baked variants.

	

	The question is why did they not look for funds in the nascent stage? Because, there was no desperation to get money. “Over the years, we were approached by VCs but we were not keen because we felt that in order to raise money, you need to have the right bandwidth to scale up at very good pace. We wanted to build that and we were very happy to build a brand at our own profits,” says Sagar. “Also, I felt a bias when it came to valuations to tech versus non-tech companies which disappointed me. We were not getting the valuations we were looking for despite running a successful business model, having a great team to drive the business and expanding operations on our own,” he adds.
 

	However, when they did think of approaching investors, Sagar highlights, not every experience was a pleasant one. “A renowned VC asked me once if we would be interested in selling our company in the next three years. We understand that they are here to make money and being a consumer market that we are in, a quick exit would be a big brand coming and taking over. However, we were confident that we can take Wow! Momo as a brand from Rs 1000 to 10,000 crore ourselves,” he says.
 

	The confidence in these folks at Wow! Momo comes from the fact that both Binod and Sagar have learnt it the hard way. They used to serve consumers themselves in the Spencer outlet back in 2008. Seeing that the product was doing well, they shifted to a 90-square feet space in one of Kolkata’s best malls in no time where they started making Rs 7 to 8 lakh monthly which was the turning point for their business. From here on, they were able to afford employees, only to build a great team that they have now. 
 

	Future plans:
 

	After raising Rs 10 crore from Indian Angel Network in August this year, the company is going really fast now. 
 

	“We are looking at 70 -75 stores by March next year and around 105 stores by March 2017 with a turnover of 60 crore per annum. Seeing the KFCs and Dominos in India, our long term goal is to become an Indian brand going abroad,” says Sagar. The company plans to go for second round of funding in December next year and is looking at an IPO in about 5 to 10 years from now.

One of India's favourite foods is being revolutionised in a unique way!

The much anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of online food delivery company <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> opened on Wednesday at Rs 72-76 per share offer and was fully received by the retail investors. The retail segment of the offering has been fully subscribed in just over an hour. So far, the IPO has been subscribed around 20 percent on the first day of bidding. On Tuesday, the company said that it has raised Rs 4,196 crore from several prominent institutional investors as part of an anchor book allocation. It has allocated 55.2 crore equity shares, to anchor investors, at a price of Rs 76 per share. Government of Singapore, <keyword id="158169" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BlackRock">BlackRock</keyword>, <keyword id="6361649" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goldman-Sachs">Goldman Sachs</keyword>, <keyword id="126284" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abu-Dhabi-Investment-Authority">Abu Dhabi Investment Authority</keyword> among others were the participants in the anchor book. Jyoti Roy, DVP- <keyword id="195368" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="equity-strategist">Equity Strategist</keyword> at <keyword id="367193" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Angel-Broking-Ltd">Angel Broking Ltd</keyword> noted that along with global investors the anchor portion witnessed strong participation from domestic <keyword id="6357979" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds">mutual funds</keyword> who were allotted 18.4 crore shares aggregating to Rs 1,399 crore out of the Rs. 4,196 crore anchor book. "Strong participation by institutions in the anchor book bodes well for the IPO and we expect continued strong demand for the IPO from both institutional and retail investors alike. Given strong delivery network, high barriers to entry, expected turnaround and significant growth opportunities in tier-II and tier-III cities, we believe that Zomato will command a premium to global peers and hence have a 'SUBSCRIBE' recommendation on the IPO," Roy said. The issue comprises an offer for sale of Rs 375 crore by the <keyword id="80004" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Info-Edge">Info Edge</keyword> and a fresh issue worth Rs 9,000 crore. SEE ALSO - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/a-startup-which-helps-you-become-a-makeup-artist-vah-vah-raises-seed-funding-from-sequoias-surge/articleshow/84378187.cms" style="">A startup which helps you become a makeup artist raises seed funding from Sequoia's Surge</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/chinese-e-commerce-app-shein-will-re-enter-the-indian-market-with-amazon-but-as-a-seller-this-time/articleshow/84376578.cms">Chinese e-commerce app Shein will re-enter the Indian market with Amazon, but as a seller this time</a>

Zomato IPO gets subscribed 20% on first day of bidding

India’s flourishing start-up culture implies people here are increasingly interested in starting their own venture. But most of them accept defeat even before starting one. “Where am I going to get the funds from?” – the thought plagues their minds and keeps them away from taking that giant leap. Leaving a stable, secure and smooth life in service to jump into a risky business affair is not an easy decision after all. Lack of funds, therefore, is the plight of every new kid on the block wanting to foray into the world of <keyword id="428085" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="start-ups">start-ups</keyword>, more so in India. 
 
With no social security like in the US, difficulty to get loans from banks until one has collateral and with venture capitalists not ready to invest less than Rs 7-8 million, where can Indian start-ups today raise money from? 
 
The answer is: Angel investors or angels as they are better known as. A group of angels invest nearly 2-3 crore in a start-up if they see potential and future proposition in their business plan. 
 But it’s not that simple is what we realized after talking to one of India’s first angels and now a key player in the entrepreneurial eco system, <keyword id="164919" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Padmaja-Ruparel">Padmaja Ruparel</keyword>. 
 
 She is the first to have set up an angel network in India, which is now called the <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword>. It comprises over 350 investors including the who's who of successful entrepreneurs and dynamic CEOs from India and overseas who bet their money on start-ups. She claims of having invested in 20 start-ups out of which merely 2 have failed so far. Business Insider spoke to Padmaja to bring you five things angel investors look for in start-ups before parking their money in them. Here's what they are: 
 
MASS APPEAL OR NICHE? 
 An angel investor is more likely to invest in your company if you are a <keyword id="6357823" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Big-Bazaar">Big Bazaar</keyword> than a <keyword id="667" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ritu-Kumar">Ritu Kumar</keyword> sort of fashion label. That means companies catering to large and high growth market are what angel investors look at, because mass appeal equals to high returns. 
 
“We look at need value over aspiration value. So start-ups catering to the needs of large section of people would be our choice over those who are targeting a niche segment and are more of aspiration value to masses,” says Ruparel. 
 
INNOVATION 
 
Innovation attracts angel investors for sure – be it a product design innovation, improvement in a current product’s performance, in its delivery system or a complete new innovation in what you have for your target audience. It should be a crucial innovation that either solves your customer’s pain point, makes things easier for them or gives them a new experience altogether. 
 
“When mobile phones came, they corrected the reception quality of landline phones and also helped people in moving around easily while talking. It was not only improvement but also value addition for customers. Another example is companies today have outsourced several business processes to BPOs. These third party service providers have created that space for themselves. So, innovation either needs to be something different or a business done differently,” explains Ruparel. 
 
FOCUS ON SETTING UP BUSINESS OR RAISING MONEY? 
 
If you want to build and run a successful business, an angel investor is interested in you, however, it’s not if you simply aim to raise money from them. 
 
“Raising money should be one of the milestones in your journey to establishing a full-fledged business. Only then will investors, who are themselves at high-risk in investing in start-ups, come to you,” says Ruparel. 
 
IDENTITY, OBJECTIVE AND A CLEAR BUSINESS PLAN 
 
Get your basics clear if you seek angel investment. So before pitching, ask yourself “am I a product or a service, what is my differentiator in the market, who is my competition, who is my target audience, am I addressing a pain point of the target customers or am I adding value, what’s is my business proposition.” If you have clear-cut answers to these questions, you are in! 
 
TALENT 
 
A talented and passionate team to drive your start up and make it a success – this is one of the most crucial things you need to impress angels. Ruparel says 75 per cent of her evaluation is usually on the talent of the team and their ability to pull off the plan. 
 
“Start-ups don’t have a large team. The small pool of resource that they have needs to be a talented lot. It’s tricky because talent comes with money and start-ups don’t have the money. That’s a challenge but if you can work it out, you are good to go,” says Ruparel. 
 
“I’d personally prefer an A grade team with a B grade business idea than a B grade team with an A grade idea, because great ideas are only great when they are implemented well and you need a fantastic team to do that,” she concludes. 
 
(Image credits: BCCL)

No funds for your start-up? Here are 5 things you need to attract angel investors

<keyword id="1956517" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paisa-Swipe">Paisa Swipe</keyword>, India’s No.1 <keyword id="2003312" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mobile-lockscreen">mobile lockscreen</keyword> ad and <keyword id="1659188" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="content-discovery">content discovery</keyword> network, has raised $350K from US-based angel investors, sources told Business Insider India. The eight-month-old start-up will use the <keyword id="6357455" type="EVENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Funding">funding</keyword> to launch its <keyword id="1335034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Windows-app">Windows app</keyword> by March 2014. In October last year, the start-up launched its <keyword id="956764" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Android-app">Android app</keyword> (http://bit.ly/1cqWVim) in beta and one can download it for free from <keyword id="963171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google-Play">Google Play</keyword>. 
 Last we checked, total downloads at Google Play stood at 35,000 and the rating was 4.2 out of 5. According to <keyword id="170488" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="co-founder">co-founder</keyword> and India head <keyword id="1956519" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Revanth-Mittapalli">Revanth Mittapalli</keyword>, the app is currently seeing 1,000 downloads a day, has crossed 20 million ad impressions and is witnessing at least 600,000 ad impressions per day. The company is also eyeing expansion in five more countries in order to grow its user base. 
 The <keyword id="940588" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mobile-ad-network">mobile ad network</keyword> was founded in May 2013 by a global team of three with expertise in the mobile business. CEO <keyword id="1956515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jian-Tam">Jian Tam</keyword> has extensive experience in digital marketing and prior to Paisa Swipe, he had played a key role in setting up two other companies. Director <keyword id="1956516" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chris-Marshall">Chris Marshall</keyword> has studied in London School of Economics and specialises in the wireless space. Earlier, he held leadership roles at three companies and one of them, AePONA, was sold to Intel. Revanth Mittapalli is the India head with focus on digital marketing and four years of industry experience. The start-up has headquarters in Hyderabad and New York. 
 
So what’s unique about this start-up? As mentioned in our earlier <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-Mobile-AdNetwork-Lets-You-Control-What-You-See-Pays-For-Ad-Viewing/articleshow/26583316.cms">coverage</a>, Paisa Swipe not only connects brands, content and consumers, but also pays mobile users for viewing the ads. All you need to do is log in and provide more information about your interest areas. Now every time you turn on your phone, an advertisement appears on your lockscreen, related to your interests. The ‘earning’ part is also easy. If you like the content, simply ‘swipe’ it to learn more and you will get paid by the Paisa Swipe advertisers. 
 As of now, each member gets up to 60 paise per ad display, but the monthly earning cannot exceed Rs 300. But people can earn even more and win <keyword id="2003297" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Referral-prizes">referral prizes</keyword> if their friends sign up. These include cool prizes such as movie tickets, electronics, vacation packages and more. When the ‘encashment’ point (Rs 50) is reached, one can use the amount to cash out at <keyword id="1105324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Freecharge-in">Freecharge.in</keyword>, which offers recharge services for mobile, DTH and data cards. You can also donate to charity with the money you earn here. 
 In spite of overall positive response, Paisa Swipe has also drawn flak for copycating <keyword id="5565" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="South-Korea">South Korea</keyword>’s <keyword id="2003304" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cash-Slide">Cash Slide</keyword> that runs a similar app. However, we must not forget two things in this context. 
 Blindly cloning a successful business does not guarantee success. Instead, much depends on the contextualisation of the concept and finally, the execution. Berlin-based <keyword id="1965711" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rocket-Internet-GmbH">Rocket Internet GmbH</keyword>, a venture arm of the Samwer brothers and known for cloning several successful online business models of the US in other markets, could be a case in point here. Although Rocket-backed start-ups at home and abroad are famous for their fast and furious cash burn, none is close to profitability yet and some ventures like Gurgaon-based 21Diamonds had been shut down. In contrast, Paisa Swipe has kept a close tab on the market pulse and is evolving accordingly – crucial factors that lead to success. Much of it will also depend on growing the user base and tying up with big brands. Once that is done, it will be interesting to watch if the US angels-backed <keyword id="1948071" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-start-up">Indian start-up</keyword> can make successful foray into global markets.

Mobile Ad Network Paisa Swipe Raises
Funding From US Angels, To Launch Windows App

Much has been written about what <keyword id="6404679" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="start-up">start-up</keyword>s can learn from real life and put to use for their business success. But have you ever thought of it the other way? If you look closely at the start-up space and follow their lifecycle, you will be stunned to realise what <keyword id="390673" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="small-businesses">small businesses</keyword> can offer in terms of <keyword id="1599955" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-lessons">life lessons</keyword>. Here are 5 <keyword id="2207042" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Strategic-tips">strategic tips</keyword> you can pick up from them to make your life more meaningful. 
 
1. There’s no end of the road. We are not being overoptimistic here. <keyword id="53533" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="entrepreneurs">Entrepreneurs</keyword> all over the globe witness a series of <keyword id="6453368" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="failures">failures</keyword> before they can hit it right. And those who have been immensely lucky and succeeded in their very first ventures will tell you how many twists and turns they face every day to keep the show running. But when it comes to the business of survival – be it your professional or <keyword id="29559" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Personal-life">personal life</keyword>, these <keyword id="2207051" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Disaster-pangs">disaster pangs</keyword> must be dealt with, without losing your courage or confidence. “Failure is most difficult to accept once you have tasted success,” admitted an Indian <keyword id="6359301" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Entrepreneur">entrepreneur</keyword> whose <keyword id="1225933" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="maiden-venture">maiden venture</keyword> had to be wrapped up due to fund crunch. But after a business paralysis for a few months, he had sold off the bits and pieces of his earlier venture to his advantage (it took a lot of cool-headed <keyword id="6354839" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="marketing">marketing</keyword> to show the next buyer the true value of things he was handing over); learnt from his earlier <keyword id="27460" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="experience">experience</keyword> and is about to set up another new venture in a couple of months (watch this space as we bring you the story of this upcoming Indian start-up). 
 For most of us, failure is not an option, and we fear it so much that we stop taking risks (just like some businesses do) and stop acknowledging our <keyword id="399000" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="weaknesses">weaknesses</keyword>. But that kind of inertia won’t help you evolve. Get cracking, even if it means a series of blunders, but make good of what you learn from those and stand by your own convictions. That is how you gain the knowledge and power to come up with the <keyword id="2207054" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Next-success">next success</keyword>. 
 
2. <keyword id="2207058" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ide-fixe">Idée fixe</keyword> doesn’t work. You have heard so much about businesses pivoting and might have smiled a secret smile, inwardly proud that your own life is in apple-pie order – it is going the way you have planned it. Well, nothing can be further from the truth. Nor can every piece of your life offer you <keyword id="2207060" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Optimum-returns">optimum returns</keyword>. Take, for instance, the <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> of <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword>.com, an e-commerce marketplace that pivoted as many as seven times – from a never-launched movie booking site to discount voucher business to daily deals site to what it is today. Or think of <keyword id="164941" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="inMobi">InMobi</keyword> that started as a mobile-based local search and went on to become one of the top mobile ad <keyword id="50752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Networks">networks</keyword> and a key <keyword id="491" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="player">player</keyword> in the <keyword id="6676401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="m-commerce">m-commerce</keyword> space. We actually came across an inspiring story when UK-based <keyword id="2207062" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lloyds-List">Lloyd’s List</keyword>, one of the world’s longest published newspapers (first <keyword id="106984" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="edition">edition</keyword> was printed in 1734), turned completely digital last December to go global and <keyword id="2207063" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Stay-profitable">stay profitable</keyword>. Could they have gained name, fame and profit, had they stuck to their initial business concepts instead of opting for strategic changes? 
 Beginning a new chapter can be challenging at first, but it may lead to a different kind of prosperity – the chance to live your life according to your own choice and do better than before without giving up on your <keyword id="2049143" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Core-expertise">core expertise</keyword>. For instance, you may have proven skills in business development but doing that for a social enterprise may make you feel happier than doing it for a big firm. <keyword id="6385724" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="change">Change</keyword>, so that you can change and impact many more lives. 
 
3. <keyword id="444366" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="non-performance">Non-performance</keyword> is an issue. Have you ever tried dealing with the shortcomings that hinder your life’s growth? <keyword id="457758" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Procrastination">Procrastination</keyword> at work, a <keyword id="2207065" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bloated-ego">bloated ego</keyword>, an <keyword id="702969" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unhealthy-lifestyle">unhealthy lifestyle</keyword> or a total lack of concern for your fellow humans can be your undoing in the long run. Worse still, there will be no external authorities around to measure and monitor your life’s performance. When things are below par, you are actually responsible for those and you need to amend your life with some strategic tools just like some businesses do. 
 For starters, set up <keyword id="2207067" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Achievable-goals">achievable goals</keyword> in every area of your life and keep a tab on how you are doing. Next, learn and practise all that you need to – so that you can substantially improve the quality of your life. But while doing so, don’t forget your <keyword id="6411617" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="mission">mission</keyword> and <keyword id="6526661" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="vision">vision</keyword> – your long-term goals. <keyword id="2207070" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nurture-growth">Nurture growth</keyword> slowly but surely, like a start-up does. And quickly kick the habits that do not add value to your life. As we all know, firing the wrong persons quickly saves your business and the same holds true for <keyword id="2207072" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unproductive-habits">unproductive habits</keyword>. Finally, don’t delay things just because it feels too uncomfortable or you have been too used to a particular lifestyle. If your head and <keyword id="24479" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart">heart</keyword> are attuned, you will make the best <keyword id="5645" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="CEO">CEO</keyword> of your life and never fail to bring about an <keyword id="2207073" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uplifting-change">uplifting change</keyword> to yourself. 
 
4. You can’t sell unless you create the need. All our life, we are trying to market ourselves – consciously or unconsciously. Sounds rude, doesn't it? But that is the truth, whether we like it or no. Of course, when we are attending <keyword id="27244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="job-interviews">job interviews</keyword> or trying to raise capital for our ventures or selling our company’s products – the promotion and marketing part is done deliberately, as part of our professional endeavours. But what happens when you are <keyword id="2207077" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Networking-on-social-media">networking on social media</keyword> or trying to build a relationship with a prospect/connector of any sort? You are still marketing yourself and your ideas, hoping it may result into sales some day. 
 That is precisely the <keyword id="489452" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="marketing-strategy">marketing strategy</keyword> most businesses follow, especially if they are new. According to a popular <keyword id="48646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="theory">theory</keyword>, a company can’t really sell anything to anyone unless customers are ready to buy it. So new businesses try to engage and impact <keyword id="666350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prospects">prospects</keyword> via <keyword id="6354632" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Social-media">social media</keyword>, trying to drive the need of their customers. 
 One can follow the same plan to improve one’s social branding. Do remember that you have to create your own value across your networks and let others see that you can be a meaningful contributor when they require your kind of skills and expertise, help and support. <keyword id="2207085" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Resonate">Resonate</keyword> with your <keyword id="2207082" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Social-connects">social connects</keyword> and execute your ideas creatively – that is bound to prove your value. 
 
5. You can’t walk those miles alone. To execute these life lessons, you will need help. After all, who doesn’t when he/she is reimagining the business and seeking success? Entrepreneurs often seek the right kind of <keyword id="164586" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mentors">mentors</keyword> for their experience and <keyword id="2207087" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Strategic-help">strategic help</keyword> while <keyword id="382595" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="co-founders">co-founders</keyword> try and form a strong team to complement each other’s strengths. Even Angels/VCs help them out with sound business advice. So when it comes to life and living and all its tough challenges, you are entitled to get as much help as you can. 
 However, most people hesitate to ask for help and try to figure things out on their own. That may or may not work, depending on how complex the issues are and how comfortable you are in revealing sensitive topics. Still, discussing your problems with <keyword id="2207090" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Immediate-family">immediate family</keyword> or <keyword id="74013" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="close-friends">close friends</keyword> is likely to bring in a new perspective and some viable solutions. Otherwise, you may try and find a formal or informal group of advisors/mentors who can help you out. That long road stretching ahead has plenty of ups and downs in store for us. Do not go it alone. 
 
Image: Thinkstock/Gettyimages

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