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As India’s start-up ecosystem matures, a new trend is emerging: <keyword id="23791918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="micro-acquisitions" source="Orion">micro-acquisitions</keyword>. This approach – focussed on buying smaller businesses – has become increasingly popular among Indian entrepreneurs looking for cost-effective growth avenues. Platforms like <keyword id="23791917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flippa" source="keywords">Flippa</keyword> are at the forefront of this shift, facilitating these transactions by offering a user-friendly, data-rich environment where buyers and sellers can connect seamlessly. In a country that has seen rapid growth in entrepreneurship, micro-acquisitions represent a shift from the traditional emphasis on large scale deals. And this trend is being fuelled by an influx of domestic funds and micro venture capital (VC) firms dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups. <h2>Changing Mindsets: Why Micro-Acquisitions?</h2>Entrepreneurs are turning to micro-acquisitions for the flexibility, speed and cost-efficiency that they offer. By targeting smaller, less capital intensive deals, they are able to side step the complexities of a traditional M&amp;A, making it a viable pathway for expansion and growth. Besides these can also help entrepreneurs diversify their holdings and adapt to market demands without overcommitting resources. Flippa allows Indian entrepreneurs to access a global marketplace where they can identify businesses aligned with their objectives. <h2>The M&amp;A Landscape in India</h2>While the US mergers and acquisitions market has seen slower growth, private capital inflows in India are on the rise, according to <a href="https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/deals/trends/private-capital.html">PwC</a>. The second quarter of 2024 proved to be a landmark period for Indian startups, with a 57% year-on-year surge in megadeals driving fundraising to an eight-quarter high of $5.2 billion, as reported by <a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/reports/india-deal-review-q2-2024">Deal Street Asia</a>. Flippa has capitalised on this trend. A marketplace founded in 2009 for buying and selling online businesses, it has amassed over 3 million users worldwide. As of <a href="https://flippa.com/data-insights?buy_sell=PR_DataInsights_EmbedGraphs">October 2024</a>, Flippa had 396,000 active buyers on its platform with a combined wallet of $75 billion, an increase of 15,000 active buyers month-on-month. This broad, engaged user base gives Indian entrepreneurs a diverse pool of acquisition targets, from digital properties to app-based ventures. Notably, data-driven app acquisition companies like KalaGato leverage Flippa to identify the right opportunities. “If you’re trying to get into the market, a platform like Flippa is a great place to start,” said Aman Kumar, Founder of KalaGato. <h2>Cutting Edge Technology At Work</h2>Flippa’s technology sets it apart, using a proprietary <a href="https://flippa.com/product/recommender-engine">matching algorithm</a> powered by an AI-driven graph neural network that assesses over 100 factors to match buyers and sellers. This technology streamlines the acquisition process, helping entrepreneurs find suitable opportunities more efficiently, especially in a crowded market like India, where navigating business brokers or directly approaching potential sellers can be time-consuming and fraught with challenges. “Flippa as a platform is continuously evolving. Once you start looking at exits or the potential to exit a business, then a platform like Flippa is super useful,” Kumar adds, emphasising the platform's adaptability to the needs of modern entrepreneurs. Another standout feature is its <a href="https://flippa.com/product/deal-room">multi-user Deal Room</a>. This comprehensive digital sales hub allows users to manage the entire sales process for online businesses and digital assets in one place. Sellers can communicate with buyers in real time, filter messages, and review offers and Letters of Intent (LOIs) within the Deal Room itself. This organisation is particularly helpful for entrepreneurs who may be overwhelmed by the volume of inquiries when trying to sell their business. The Deal Room provides real-time notifications about buyer engagement, ensuring that users can respond promptly and keep negotiations moving forward. Buyers are invited to the Deal Room on a scheduled basis, creating a structured interaction environment. <h2>Prioritising Security and Trust</h2>A secure transaction environment is crucial, especially for entrepreneurs new to acquisitions. Flippa’s <a href="https://flippa.com/product/insurance">insurance</a> policies offer this layer of security for both buyers and sellers. The Buyer Protect policy safeguards buyers against financial losses resulting from seller misrepresentation or breaches of warranty, covering up to 100% of the enterprise value of the business. Meanwhile, the Seller Protect policy shields sellers from potential financial losses, creating a balanced environment for transactions. This dual protection reinforces trust and allows the involved parties to focus on growth without worrying about potential hidden risks. <h2>Market Insights for Informed Decision-Making</h2>To further assist users in making informed decisions, <a href="https://flippa.com/product/market-insights/">Flippa Market Insights</a> provides valuable data on online businesses and digital assets. This tool enables users to compare prices of similar businesses, benchmark performance metrics like average order value and customer lifetime value, and access real-time sales data, including historical performance information. Users can filter this data by time period, business model, and price point, ensuring they have the insights needed to navigate the acquisition landscape effectively. Flippa’s expert vetting team reviews the stated financial performance of every asset priced above USD $50,000, providing an additional layer of credibility to the listings. <h2>A Bright Future for Micro-Acquisitions in India</h2>With the Indian startup ecosystem thriving and the appetite for micro-acquisitions only expected to grow, Flippa stands at the forefront by connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. Whether you’re an established business owner looking to expand your portfolio or a newcomer eager to dip your toes into entrepreneurship, Flippa offers a wealth of opportunities in this exciting landscape. So, if you are interested in starting your exit journey, get a free valuation for your business here - <a href="https://flippa.com/free-valuation">get a FREE valuation</a>. Disclaimer: This article is generated and published by the Insider Studios team. You can get in touch with them on <a href="mailto:insiderstudios@businessinsider.in">insiderstudios@businessinsider.in</a>

The rise of micro-acquisitions in India: How Flippa is driving the trend

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mark Weinstein is a dad of three kids under 9.</li><li>He was an early investor in a social media company.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with<a target="_blank" href="https://www.markweinsteininventor.com/"> Mark Weinstein</a>, author of<a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=9208c15dd48705a079452acf43cc89670528cdbcaf041ca1cb7046d5085ecbd2&amp;postID=66fec92ee5b5408300449b37&amp;postSlug=online-privacy-expert-and-dad-shares-how-protect-kids-online-2024-10&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRestoring-Our-Sanity-Online-Revolutionary%2Fdp%2F1394273967"> Restoring Our Sanity Online</a>. It has been edited for length and clarity.Back in 1998, I launched two social media companies: SuperFamily and SuperFriends. I wanted to help <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/online-games-apps-play-with-family-kids-multiplayer">connect families online</a>. Social media at that time felt so beautiful and wholesome to me.Now I'm a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-not-to-ask-chatgpt-gemini-claude-privacy-security-confidential-2024-6">privacy expert</a>, and I talk about the dangers of surveillance capitalism, where Big Tech companies make money from selling your data.I'm also a dad of three kids under 9. That's intentionally vague because I share as little information about them as possible.I have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-bill-gates-limits-tech-use-for-his-kids-2018-1">strict rules for my kids</a>, friends, and family to keep my children safe online and around technology.<h2 id="3e356a0e-cce3-4e0f-ba8a-eda98eeac7cb">I never allow pictures to be posted</h2>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-parents-shouldnt-post-back-to-school-photos-therapist-explains-2022-8">don't ever post pictures of my kids</a>. If your privacy settings are locked down, strangers might not see a lot, but social media platforms still see (and store) everything. I don't want that algorithm to be able to identify my children.When I talk with family and friends about this policy, it's a simple conversation. If I see someone taking a picture, I ask them not to post it. Sometimes, that opens a bigger conversation about why we have that rule. It has never led to friction.<h2 id="c5422b24-d221-42f4-bf10-df0b72a158cf">I rely on group texts instead</h2>For me, group texting is what social media was five years ago.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-name-a-group-chat-on-iphone">In a group text</a>, I can share a cute update about the kids or send a picture to another parent on a playdate.It's private, secure, and an effective way of building connections without the risk of exposing the kids' faces and their data (including who they spend time with) on social media.<h2 id="9ee298a9-c4db-4b12-8bce-5c2c32e7f1a7">My tots have 0 screens — not even FaceTime</h2>My two younger <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-mom-zero-screen-time-toddler-2023-8">children have zero screen time</a>. In fact, we don't even FaceTime with family. I think it's very unsettling for kids to see their loved ones behind a screen. Personally, I don't think toddlers are equipped to understand why their loved one (who they normally see in person) is now on the screen. I worry it can be disorienting, and I don't think the benefits of a FaceTime chat are worth the possible emotional confusion for my kids.My older child has just started using one of my two phones to text me when I'm out. That's the only thing they're allowed to use the phone for.It gives me the same sense of security that I used to have with a landline. I monitor their phone use very carefully and encourage other parents to do the same.<h2 id="e17f3bf0-a619-4c8e-bdd7-8fc28649a204">We have tech-free playdates but don't try to force our rules on others' houses</h2>When my child has friends over, we have a no-tech rule. They have so much more fun outside or doing art projects. But when my kid goes to a friend's house, I know they might be exposed to YouTube or online games.I don't try to enforce my rules at other people's houses — in the same way, my kid might get more sugary treats at a friend's than at home.Luckily, my eldest child has realized they have more fun playing offline, so I don't have to worry about too much exposure with friends.<h2 id="2dd02ff2-cbc7-47af-9734-415368e97420">I teach my kids about online privacy and critical thinking</h2>Just like I teach my children about physical privacy within the home, I talk with them about online privacy, too.I also touch on the dangers of being online. I'll say something like, "This is a new industry, and we need to figure out how to filter it so that it's right for kids." Or, "Social media can lock you inside your head and expose you to ideas you're not ready for."This language helps kids feel like they're being protected, not punished.<h2 id="d019108a-1f90-487e-bc6c-801ad4f9234f">I flip the script on sharing</h2>As kids get older, there's more opportunity for friends to tag them on social media or share pictures online.I'm not at that stage yet, but I hope to talk with my children so they're confident asking friends not to share their pictures if that's their preference. I want to create allure around being an offline kid.<h2 id="0a3e7f8e-2d05-44eb-a7d0-3f6f6c3f0501">I model tech-free time</h2>Kids do what their parents do, not what their parents say. That's why it's important to me not to use my phone or technology in front of the kids. When they're around, I keep my phone up high and well out of reach.With some practical steps, we can navigate this world of screens to keep our kids and ourselves healthy and protected online.After all, everything that's good for our kids when it comes to online privacy is also good for us.

I invested in early social media startups. After having 3 kids, here's why I never share my kids' photos online and prefer group chats instead.

For Saumya Bhatnagar, being the only woman in a room is far from a novel experience. An engineer by training and currently the co-founder and chief product officer at AI sales rep startup Jeeva, she remembers being the sole girl in her high school's 170-person <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/5-tips-women-career-coding-twilio-2020-8">coding class</a> — and that none of her male peers would sit next to her."I had to make space for myself, and there were plenty of micro and macro aggressions in the grand scheme of things that I had to talk my way through," she told Business Insider. "At the end of the day, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/women-left-out-of-the-ai-investment-boom-risks-bias-2023-10">it's a man's world</a> in the VC, startups, and AI space."Bhatnagar isn't alone in her journey. Although the number of women-founded startups has increased, less than 3% of venture capital funding went to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/venture-capital-decline-hurts-female-founders-gender-gap-startup-funding-2023-12">female-only founding teams</a> in 2022, according to PitchBook.A handful of women who are well-known as leaders in the AI space — including "Godmother of AI" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vcs-like-khosla-and-a16z-backing-robotics-that-use-ai-2024-7">Fei Fei Li</a>, Anthropic president and co-founder Daniela Amodei, and OpenAI's former chief technology officer Mira Murati. But others building startups report facing various gender-related obstacles to success, including bias in the fundraising process, limited mentorship opportunities, and difficulty building meaningful business relationships with men.In the AI sector specifically, which has surged in popularity since the release of ChatGPT two years ago, the challenges for female founders are even more pronounced. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-18-women-who-made-partner-vc-firms-in-2023-2023-11">AI continues to attract significant VC interest</a>, but women in the space face additional barriers compared to their male counterparts, starting at the education level.While a degree in engineering or computer science isn't a requirement for launching an AI company, it's often a prerequisite for techies building foundational models to tackle complex machine-learning problems. Women accounted for just 22% of AI and computer science PhD programs in the US in 2019, according to a Deloitte study.Women in 2020 made up an estimated 26% of data and AI positions in the workforce, per a World Economic Forum report. And <a target="_blank" href="https://www.uktech.news/diversity/ai-funding-women-founders-20240319">recent data from the UK </a>shows that only about 4% of AI startups in the country have women founders.Although Bhatnagar is among the small group of women in the space with advanced technical chops, she says she still notices the gender imbalance in the AI world — and that it, at times, has led to her feeling impostor syndrome and burnout.Developing relationships with other women working in the AI space has become a vital lifeline, she said. An active member of online and in-person groups, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.womenandai.com/">Women and AI</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://thewomenweadmire.com/">Women We Admire</a>, Bhatnagar said that she's made connections that support her in navigating difficult business dynamics, connecting with female investors, and finding solace in shared experiences."Women are not comfortable asking for help, and there's this idea that perfectionism needs to be showcased at all times," she said. "Finding a community of women has helped me take risks and realize that I'm actually doing okay," she said.Vivien Ho, a partner at early-stage fund Pear VC, has watched the meteoric rise of buzzy AI startups during the last two years and noticed that many are run by men, she said. But as a longtime community builder in the Bay Area tech scene, this didn't jive with what she was seeing on the ground. There were plenty of women interested in building AI companies, she said. Many just didn't know how to start.This observation was the catalyst for the Female Founder Circles, a community for women engineers interested in building AI startups. Each FFC cycle welcomes a cohort of around 50 women for two months of programming that includes fireside chats with existing female AI founders, company-building workshops with Pear investment partners, and other in-person events designed to help women build meaningful relationships with one another, such as pitch competitions, spa days, and public speaking practice.Demand for FFC has exploded, Ho said, with more than 500 women applying for the most recent cohort that kicked off last month. And the program has already been a success: more than 70% of participants end up incorporating their startups, and at least five women have matched with another female co-founder in their cohort, she said."Three of our FFC founders have already raised Series Bs, which is pretty incredible," Ho told BI. "We first meet them, and they're really shy, and then three years later, they're running a 100-person company and making eight figures. It's incredible to see how we can build a community that makes a difference."As women in AI create opportunities that could help them succeed, their work parallels women in another once-white-hot subsector of the startup world: at the height of the crypto craze, female-led blockchain startups earned about 6.4% of venture dollars in the third quarter of 2022, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bitget.com/blog/articles/bitget-report-the-gender-gap-in-blockchain-startup-funding-press-release">according to data from Bitget</a>.Funding in the space has dropped off dramatically during the last two years, and women continue to struggle when it comes to connecting with investors and closing rounds, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/08/29/what-web3-data-reveals-about-gender-inequality-in-the-crypto-industry/">Forbes recently reported</a>.For Shreya Rajpal, Pear VC's FFC was one of the first times she felt genuine, positive support from the people around her. As a software engineer who cut her teeth in startups and on Apple's machine learning initiatives, she was accustomed to being the only woman whose work was judged with more scrutiny than that of her male coworkers."There are a lot of men who aren't very supportive, and being the only woman on a team means that they're often an undue level of attention on your work, so you stand out, for better or for worse," Rejpal told BI. "Pretty early on, it was obvious that I kind of needed to justify my space in the room a lot more compared to other folks."Fast forward to today, and Rajpal is the CEO and co-founder of Guardrails AI, which builds risk and reliability systems for generative AI programs. As she's progressed in her career, she's made an effort to build community with other women in tech. It's work that takes significant time, but it's been "life changing" in terms of succeeding as a founder and well worth the effort, she said.Guardrails earlier this year raised a $7.5 million seed funding round led by Zetta Venture Partners with participation from Pear, Bloomberg Beta, and GitHub Fund.In addition to participating in bigger groups like FFC, Rajpal has sought out mentorship opportunities with other women in engineering, machine learning, and project management."I became friends with a woman who is five to six years older than me and in the industry for that much longer, doing the things that I wanted to do," she said. "Hearing from her and what worked for her, in terms of changing jobs and talking to her about how she made those decisions, was the stuff that ended up being really impactful for me."Stephanie Guo, a partner at Sapphire Ventures based in San Francisco, is constantly iterating on community events for women interested in AI that strike the right balance between informational – think fireside chats and panel discussions – and informal ways for women to form connections that turn into mentor relationships.These events aren't just for would-be founders: Guo says that while the number of female-funded AI startups can sometimes seem "abysmally small," she's encouraged by the number of women who hold leadership positions at AI startups, funds, and bigger companies."We're creating both the space to have dialogue, but also a networking opportunity," Guo told BI. "These relationships stick, and there are business opportunities that actually form from them."

For women building AI startups, finding community has been the key to success

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Before he was the vice president-elect or a senator, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-vice-president-jd-vance-career-facts-2024-7">JD Vance</a> was a venture capitalist.</li><li>He maintains ownership stakes in several funds, according to his disclosure forms.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-results-congress-historic-firsts-2024-11">JD Vance</a> is a man of many careers: attorney, author, senator, vice president-elect, and, perhaps less well-known, venture capitalist.For about six years between graduating from law school and becoming a United States senator from Ohio, Vance held various positions in the space before eventually starting his own fund, Narya Capital.Over his career, Vance has been involved in investments across a broad range of business areas. Through Narya, he continues to hold a portfolio of investments in several startups, though he gave up his role as a partner there in 2022 and doesn't actively run or advise any of the companies.<h2 id="4b0a6db6-89d6-4a96-93e8-e561475e4b10">Vance's early VC career</h2>After a brief stint at a now-defunct biotech startup, Vance got a job at his benefactor <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/peter-thiel">Peter Thiel's</a> venture fund Mithril Capital.He went on to work as a managing partner at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-of-the-rest-steve-case-jd-vance-2018-1">Rise of the Rest</a>, part of Steve Case's Revolution venture firm. The fund's mission is to invest in companies outside major tech hubs — New York, Silicon Valley, Boston — and Vance, whose outsider persona was cemented by his memoir <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-hillbilly-elegy-transformation-trump-vice-president-2024-7">"Hillbilly Elegy"</a>, was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-venture-capital-opioid-nonprofit-tech-record-ohio-senate-2021-8">seen as a perfect fit for the fund</a>.Vance was active in a number of deals for the firm, including leading investments in storage-sharing startup Neighbor, agtech company AppHarvest, and AI outfit Pryon, Rise of the Rest confirmed.<h2 id="114f37cf-0035-49cd-8b40-1bd02d5bdb6c">Vance co-founded Narya Capital in 2019</h2>After two years, Vance broke out on his own, cofounding <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hillbilly-elegy-jd-vance-launches-vc-fund-backed-by-thiel-2020-1">Narya Capital</a> in 2019 with investments from Thiel, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and VC veteran Marc Andreessen.Vance still owns pieces of the funds that he helped advise. According to his vice president and senate disclosure forms, he has a stake in Narya Capital Fund I, Narya Capital Fund II, and Rise of the Rest Seed Fund.His stake in Narya Capital Fund I is worth between $500,001 and $1 million. His holdings through Narya's Capital Fund II and the Rise of the Rest's Seed Fund are smaller, worth as much as $15,000 and $250,000, respectively, according to his disclosure forms.Through all three funds, he holds a portfolio of investments in dozens of startups. He doesn't actively run or advise any of the companies, and gave up his role as a partner in Narya in December 2022 after winning his senate seat, according to disclosure forms.It's not entirely clear which Rise of the Rest companies Vance has a stake in. The fund has two $150 million investment vehicles and did not disclose which portfolio companies are in which fund.Narya, meanwhile, has only completed one fundraise so far — its $120 million Fund I. The fund has a dozen active investments, according to its website, and because Vance has a stake in the fund, he technically owns a stake in each.The companies vary in their mission: One is a gene therapy company founded by Vivek Ramaswamy's brother, while another is a Catholic meditation and prayer app. Thiel, one of Vance's mentors, is listed as a separate investor in many of the companies, per PitchBook.Some are the type of companies that could work with the government.True Anomaly, an aerospace company for which Narya participated in two rounds of funding, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.trueanomaly.space/newsroom/true-anomaly-selected-for-30m-space-systems-command-contract-in-support-of-victus-haze-tactically-responsive-space-mission">won a $30 million government contract</a> from the US Space Force in April. ValueBase, a property valuation software, lists local governments among its customer base on its website.Nayra has had two exits: <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-rumble-conservative-video-youtube-competitor-joe-rogan-2022-2">Rumble</a>, the conservative-leaning social video platform that went public in 2022, and AppHarvest, which went public in 2021.Criminal conflict of interest laws do not apply to the president and vice president.Luke Schroeder, a spokesperson for the vice president-elect, said that Vance has complied with all required disclosures and is not directly involved in the funds.<h2 id="883278a9-d442-4e81-aeb4-b282861515b7">Here are Narya's current portfolio companies</h2>Deal details, unless noted with a comment from the company, come from PitchBook.<table style="width: 652px"></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td>Company</td><td>Industry</td><td>Deal Description</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">AcreTrader</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Farmland investment</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya contributed to AcreTrader's $12 million Series B round in 2021. "Senator Vance has no involvement in AcreTrader's operations or strategic direction," the company said.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">AmplifyBio</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Biotech</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya took part in the company's $200 million, early-stage investment round in 2021.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Atomic Industries</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Manufacturing</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">In 2023, Narya contributed to a $16.5 million early-stage round.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Branch</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Insurance</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya took part in Branch's 2022 $147 million Series C. During his time at Rise of the Rest, Vance led an investment in Branch.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Chapter</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Medicare advisory</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya contributed to three of Chapter's fundraising rounds: A 2021 $17 million Series A round, 2022 $42 million Series B round, and 2024 $50 million Series C round. Peter Thiel is also an investor in Chapter.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Hallow</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Religion</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya invested in Hallow's 2021 $40 million Series B round."We worked with another partner at the fund on the investment - not with JD at all," Alex Jones, Hallow's CEO, told BI. Thiel is also an investor in Hallow.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Kriya Therapeutics</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Gene therapy</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya contributed to three of Kriya's funding rounds, including a $87.6 million Series A in 2020, $100 million Series B in 2021, and $430 million Series C in 2023. Kriya Therapeutics is founded by Shankar Ramaswamy, the brother of Vivek Ramaswamy.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Realm Alliance</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Security services</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Earlier this year, Narya took part in Realm Alliance's seed round.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Strive</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Asset Management</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya invested in Strive's $20 million seed round in 2022 and $30 million Series B earlier this year. Thiel is also an investor in Strive.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">True Anomaly</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Space</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya contributed to True Anomaly's $100 million Series B in 2023 and $17 million Series A in 2022. The company won a contract from the US government earlier this year.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">ValueBase</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Property valuation</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Narya took part in ValueBase's $6.3 million seed round earlier this year.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Before politics, JD Vance had a career in venture capital. Here are the startups he's invested in.

<div type="image" title="Founder Mode is the new buzzword in town" msid="113456356" hostid="261"></div> Silicon Valley is usually buzzing with new catchphrases every now and then. Earlier this year, the phrase “unbossing” captured corporate America’s imagination. The trend seems to be spreading in India as well with a few examples of companies firing middle managers. You can read more about the ‘unbossing’ trend in India here: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/article/whats-with-all-unbossing-talks-are-indian-companies-also-embracing-this-global-trend/articleshow/113395706.cms">What’s with all “Unbossing” talks?</a> Now, lo and behold, we've got a new trend straight from the minds of Silicon Valley's finest: <keyword id="23219793" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="founder-mode" source="Orion">Founder Mode</keyword>. It's like a superhero cape for CEOs but without the spandex. <keyword id="20064348" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Y-Combinator" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Y Combinator" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Y Combinator">Y Combinator</keyword> co-founder <keyword id="20555672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paul-Graham" source="keywords">Paul Graham</keyword>, inspired by Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s talk at an event, penned a blog post about Founder Mode and it got the entire startup world talking. According to Graham, when Chesky scaled Airbnb, he initially followed the widely accepted strategy: hiring skilled professionals and giving them autonomy. However, this approach felt like running a marathon in flip-flops, it simply didn’t yield the desired results. So, he decided to go full-blown "Founder Mode," which is basically being the CEO, the janitor, and the motivational speaker all at once. <div type="image" title="Paul Graham’s blog post went viral" msid="113456577" hostid="261"></div> Graham’s post points out that this experience is not unique to Chesky — many other founders have faced similar challenges and come to similar conclusions. The result is a growing recognition of ‘Founder Mode’. <h2><keyword id="23219794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="what-is-founder-mode" source="Orion">What is Founder Mode</keyword>?</h2>Founder mode is a mindset that allows entrepreneurs to remain deeply involved in their companies’ day-to-day operations, even as they scale. As we have seen in many Hollywood movies and real-world examples like Jobs, Musks, Zuckerbergs, and Murthys, founders operate (a bit too) differently from trained executives and managers. They're like the kids who built their own fort and refuse to let anyone else touch it. On a serious note, anecdotal evidence does support that founders focus on the vision, processes, and details of the business in ways that managers typically do not. Graham's post suggests that it’s a different way of running a company — one that involves a hands-on approach to leadership, where founders engage with more than just their direct reports. <div type="image" title="Founders are different from managers" msid="113456522" hostid="261"></div> Unlike traditional corporate structures, where the top management is expected to delegate and step back, Founder Mode requires more personal involvement. Basically, when the CEO of a company is in Founder Mode, where founders bypass layers of management to interact directly with lower-level employees, they can just walk over to a junior employee and ask “What’s up?”, something that <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> reportedly has been doing for a while. One of the core aspects of Founder Mode, according to Graham, is that founders can make decisions with a level of intuition and insight that professional managers often lack. This is largely because they’ve built the company from the ground up and have an intimate understanding of its operations, culture, and customers. In contrast, professional managers are typically brought in to optimise and scale systems that are already in place, which might often lead to decisions that feel disconnected from the original vision of the company. <h2>Steve Jobs and Apple: The classic example of Founder Mode</h2> <div type="image" title="Many experts agree that Steve Jobs is a peak example of Founder Mode" msid="113456730" hostid="261"></div> A key example that Graham used is Steve Jobs, who famously ran Apple with an almost obsessive focus on product and design. Jobs didn’t simply delegate these responsibilities to his team; he was known for being involved in the minutiae, often directly challenging decisions and leading initiatives that others might consider too detailed for a CEO. Graham drew a parallel between this approach and what Chesky realised at Airbnb — that stepping back too much can actually harm the company. Founders, Graham wrote, are often “gaslit” into believing that they should adopt a more hands-off style, only to see their businesses suffer as a result. However, many experts also believe that Founder Mode is often disastrous for companies, except for rare examples, and a balance between founder and manager modes is necessary. <h2>Founder Mode VS Manager Mode: Experts weigh in on the debate</h2> <div type="image" title="Debates around Founder Mode have been rampant across social media since the beginning of this month" msid="113456800" hostid="261"></div> Debates around Founder Mode have been rampant across social media since the beginning of this month when Graham’s blog post came out. The philosophical divide between Founder Mode and Manager Mode often compels people to choose sides, while industry veterans and experts say that it’s important to understand both approaches and companies must try to achieve a balance between them. Sonica Aron, Founder of HR advisory firm Marching Sheep, recognises the importance of managers and says that it is important to have good people in the team and empower them. Talking to Business Insider India, she says, “As a founder, I find myself to be very purpose driven and passionate about my firm. As a result, sometimes decisions tend to get driven by the heart rather than the mind. Therefore it is essential to have bright and committed people in your team, empower them, involve them in decision making. Also, as the founder, I am responsible not just for the health of my business but overall well being of my team. If they do well, we all do well.” On the other hand, Mr. Srinivasa Addepalli, founder and CEO of GlobalGyan Leadership Academy, feels that the debate of Founder Mode vs Manager mode shouldn’t exist in the first place. He told Business Insider India that according to him, “all good leaders, whether startup founders or corporate executives, must be capable of both modes and switch between them depending on the context.” He added, “The Founder Mode leader tackles problems with passion and ownership, without concern for hierarchy, precedents, or due process. However, founders must remain humble about their fragility. To ensure sustainability, the Manager Mode—focused on developing others, building structures, and codifying knowledge—becomes essential, even as it requires them to relinquish some control and accept inefficiency. For instance, Steve Jobs’ decision to set up Apple University was a classic Manager Mode action by one of the best-known founders.” Ayush Singh, Founder of MaplePods, a smart-technology business, says, “Founder Mode may inspire new entrepreneurs, but seasoned founders know building something meaningful and scalable requires more than motivation—it's about solving problems, staying resilient, and seeking real support along the journey.” <h2>The downsides of Founder Mode</h2>While there are many people who believe that entering Founder Mode is healthy, some experts argue otherwise. They say that since founders are deeply connected to their vision, staying too hands-on can lead to micromanagement and hinder the growth of a leadership team. This creates a culture of dependency and can cause chaos when a founder steps into too many areas, leading to inefficiency and fear among employees. Mr. Ankit Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Unstop, told Business Insider India, “While Founder Mode can foster an entrepreneurial culture and drive rapid growth, it comes with significant challenges related to scalability, accountability, and founder burnout. As companies scale, Founder Mode can lead to bottlenecks, as founders may find it difficult to delegate. This limits the development of a strong leadership team and may stifle creativity from other employees.” Further, he adds that intense involvement can lead to founder burnout, negatively affecting both the individual and the company. “In the long run, while Founder Mode may work for early-stage <keyword id="6362513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="Orion">startups</keyword>, founders must recognise when to step back and 'devolve'. Devolving to allow the company to grow through more traditional structures, without succumbing to excess hierarchy. Balancing innovation with scalability is key to long-term success, allowing founders to focus on strategy while empowering their teams.” Meanwhile, Aleksandr Yampolskiy, cofounder and CEO of SecurityScorecard, said in a LinkedIn article that the Founder Mode has both pros and cons. He highlighted the value of founder mode in providing visionary leadership and empowering CEOs to challenge their teams and boards when necessary. However, Yampolskiy also wrote that overstepping and micromanaging can create chaos and a culture of fear. He said that founders must learn to evolve with the company’s growth, delegating and making themselves dispensable over time. <h2> Why are people talking about Founder Mode now?</h2> <div type="image" title="Why are people talking about Founder Mode?" msid="113456851" hostid="261"></div> So, why did Graham’s blog post go viral and why are people talking about Founder mode? Discussions around Founder Mode vs Manager Mode might have been around for a long time, but Graham’s post helped a great deal in popularising the confusion that millions of founders go through. Risa Mish, a management professor at Cornell University’s Johnson College of Business, told Observer that it is “no surprise that Graham’s message has resonated with founders for whom the conventional wisdom hasn’t worked.” “It comes down to something very basic, which is that one size never fits all.” Do you have insights or personal experience to share on start-ups or latest corporate buzzwords? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

SIMPLY PUT: Founder Mode — the secret sauce to startup success or fancy term for hustle and micromanagement?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk's xAI is raising fresh funding at a $40 billion valuation, the WSJ reported.</li><li>Social media network X, meanwhile, is currently valued at $9.4 billion, according to Fidelity filings.</li></ul>A new funding round in the works for xAI could value Elon Musk's startup at more than four times what his social media network, X, is currently worth, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fidelity-openai-stock-valuation-filing-2024-10">according to recent Fidelity filings</a>.The AI startup is reportedly in talks to raise funding at a $40 billion valuation, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/elon-musks-xai-talks-raise-funding-valuing-it-40-bln-wsj-reports-2024-10-29/">the Wall Street Journal</a>. xAI, which Musk founded in 2023 and has billed as an alternative to OpenAI's ChatGPT, previously raised a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-xai-raised-6-billion-funding-vc-saudi-arabia-2024-5">$6 billion Series B</a> from a16z and Sequoia Capital at a $24 billion post-money valuation.Talks with investors are still in the early stages, sources told the Wall Street Journal. But if the funding round goes through at a $40 billion valuation, that would make xAI worth more than four times the value of X, according to Fidelity's estimates, which held steady from August to September.Fidelity, which invests in startups through multiple mutual funds, including its Blue Chip Growth Fund, valued shares of X at $4,185,614 at the end of September, according to its monthly filing released at the end of October. The fund had 196,600 Class A shares at the end of July, according to an annual filing from August.At $21.29 a pop, this price is unchanged from the Blue Chip Growth Fund's August estimation of X's value. It is, however, a 78.7% drop compared to two years ago: Musk in October 2022 purchased X for $44 billion. The Fidelity fund at the time invested $19.66 million, according to filings.Assuming the investment was made at X's $44 billion valuation, the fund now estimates X's value to be around $9.4 billion.Fidelity's Blue Chip Growth Fund also has a stake in xAI, valuing its investment at $44,152,362, according to the October filing. The fund had 3,688,585 shares at the end of July, according to an annual filing from August. That's $11.96 per share.

Elon Musk's xAI startup could soon be worth many times more than X

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Hello! I have a tough time keeping up with the latest fashion, to put it mildly. So <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pant-trends-whats-popular-and-going-out-next-year-2023">this rundown of what's in and out regarding pant trends</a> was helpful, albeit a bit overwhelming. (Where does one get metallic pants?)In today's big story, we're looking at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/30-of-the-most-successful-early-stage-investors">best investors when it comes to early-stage companies</a>.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: Elon Musk's push for more control at Tesla <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/elon-musk-tesla-stock-price-ownership-ai-artificial-intelligence-wedbush-2024-1">has some people up in arms</a>.</li><li>Tech: More job cuts at Google, this time in its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-is-laying-off-hundreds-of-employees-in-its-advertising-team-2024-1">advertising-sales team</a>.</li><li>Business: The "Silver Tsunami" of boomers' houses <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-will-happen-baby-boomer-homes-die-millennials-gen-z-2024-1">hitting the market will benefit Gen Z</a>.</li></ul>But first, we've got some unicorn hunters.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h2>The big story</h2><h3>Picking winners</h3><div type="image" title="Caterina Fake, Cindi Bi, and Suleman Ali" height="975" width="1300" msid="106934418" hostid="261" sizebytes="71442"></div>Investing can be a crapshoot, especially when it comes to early-stage companies.It's one thing to back a company with years of financial statements and proven products. It's another to give money to a couple of founders with an idea and not much else.Such a high degree of difficulty means angel investing can often be a numbers game. Seed as many smart ideas as you can stomach. With any luck, one will return enough to cover the losses from the rest (and then some).But for a select group, successfully investing in young companies is the norm. TRAC, a San Francisco-based early-stage venture firm, set out to find these investors, dubbing them "SuperForecasters."The group of 287 investors helps inform TRAC's investing model, which predicts startups likely to grow to become unicorns (a valuation above $1 billion).After <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-startups-most-likely-to-be-the-next-unicorns-2023-8">highlighting 30 startups TRAC's model predicts will take off</a>, the venture firm took things a step further, sharing with Business Insider <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/30-of-the-most-successful-early-stage-investors">the names of 30 SuperForecasters</a>.The investors, profiled by BI's Ben Bergman, Samantha Stokes, Rebecca Torrence, and Leena Rao, have an incredible track record for early-stage investing. SuperForecasters make a profit on two-thirds of their bets, and 20% of their investments return over 10X, Joseph Aaron, one of TRAC's cofounders, told BI.<div type="image" title="Piggy banks" height="1500" width="2000" msid="106934530" hostid="261" sizebytes="65960"></div>Plenty of the traits SuperForecasters share are fascinating.Many didn't go to business school — sorry, bankers — and they tend to steer clear of solo founders.But the characteristic that stood out to me the most was that multiple SuperForecasters rarely, if ever, co-invest in the same startups.(The irony of this revelation coming from a model that partially relies on tracking SuperForecasters bets isn't lost on me.)Silicon Valley can be known to have a herd mentality, especially when it comes to venture investors.Getting backing from a high-profile investor can often do more for your valuation than a breakthrough product. It represents validation in a world full of uncertainty.And yet, some of the best early-stage investors have proven to have far better success going out on their own.Maybe there's a lesson for the rest of the industry: Come to your own conclusions and theories instead of trying to catch the next wave with everyone else.<h2>3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="jim chanos elon musk" height="600" width="1200" msid="106934532" hostid="261" sizebytes="55708"></div><ol><li>Jim Chanos still has a bone to pick with Elon Musk. The famous short-seller, who has consistently bet against Tesla, said <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/chanos-elon-musk-tesla-stock-voting-rights-equity-stake-fidelity-2024-1">Musk was being "outrageous" for requesting more control</a> at the EV maker. But Chanos isn't the only one raising concerns, as Wedbush's Dan Ives wrote <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/elon-musk-tesla-stock-price-ownership-ai-artificial-intelligence-wedbush-2024-1">Musk's comments created a "firestorm" for Tesla</a>.</li><li>Goldman Sachs isn't sweating the economy. The bank is taking a more optimistic view of economic growth in 2024 compared to the rest of the Street. Goldman sees US GDP growth of 2%, and only a 20% chance of a recession, figures that are well below consensus estimates. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-prediction-goldman-sachs-economic-growth-gdp-wall-street-economy-2024-1">Here's why it's so bullish</a>.</li><li>And Goldman's not the only one feeling good these days. More than 81% of individual investors believe the Dow will <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-indicator-dow-2008-recession-comparison-investor-sentiment-crash-2024-1">end this year higher than last year</a>, according to Yale's One-Year Confidence Index. Main Street hasn't felt this good about stocks since March 2007... right before the financial crisis.</li></ol><h2>3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="Tim Cook in an Apple store" height="1333" width="2000" msid="106934534" hostid="261" sizebytes="152688"></div><ol><li>Apple just ended Samsung's 12-year run as the top smartphone seller in the world. Shipment data shows that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-overtakes-samsung-global-smarphone-shipments-market-id-data-2024-1">Apple reached the top position</a> last year. The iPhone maker's win comes amid tough business in the US and China.</li><li>Microsoft CEO says the company wants stability at OpenAI — not a board seat. While at Davos, Satya Nadella said he's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/satya-nadella-microsoft-wants-stability-openai-not-board-seat-2024-1">"not interested" in a board seat</a> at ChatGPT's parent company. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is at the conference trying to show leaders his plan to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-ai-chatgpt-safer-than-facebook-for-elections-2024-1">prevent tools like ChatGPT from interfering with elections</a>.</li><li>Leaked memo: Google is laying off hundreds more employees. The search giant is laying off swaths of employees in its ad-sales team. Philipp Schindler, Google's chief business officer, announced the job cuts in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-is-laying-off-hundreds-of-employees-in-its-advertising-team-2024-1">memo obtained by BI</a>.</li></ol><h2>3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="Graphic of woman taking a picture of a for sale sign in front of a house, with a couple looking at the house and embracing" height="500" width="1000" msid="106934537" hostid="261" sizebytes="30002"></div><ol><li>You can't talk about the housing shortage — or runaway home prices — without boomers on the brain. As the generation ages, its vast real-estate portfolio poses a question: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-will-happen-baby-boomer-homes-die-millennials-gen-z-2024-1">What happens when boomers die</a>?</li><li>Airlines are experiencing some turbulence. Boeing's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-quality-control-company-culture-merger-finances-2024-1">quality-control process and company culture are under scrutiny</a> after multiple airlines have found issues with its 737 Max 9 jets. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines stock nosedived after a judge <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/spirit-airlines-stock-price-jet-blue-merger-judge-doj-antitrust-2024-1">blocked JetBlue's proposed takeover</a>.</li><li>We still don't know if the NFL's first streaming playoff game was a success. The Chiefs-Dolphins game was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-first-streaming-playoff-game-nbc-universal-peacock-success-2024-1">primarily streamed on NBC's Peacock</a>. NBC says it was a success, citing viewership and internet usage numbers. But we don't know <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-watch-nfl-playoffs-streaming-service-peacock-amazon-chiefs-dolphins-2024-1">how many people paid</a> for Peacock so they could watch the game.</li></ol><h2>In other news</h2><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nikki-haley-next-steps-after-finishing-third-in-iowa-2024-1">What's next for Nikki Haley after finishing third in Iowa</a>?</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-next-steps-after-iowa-disaster-2024-1">Where does DeSantis go from here</a>?</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-fourth-quarter-earnings-wall-street-stock-market-news-2024-1">Goldman Sachs posts an earnings beat as growth for its stock-trading business triples estimates</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-chatgpt-jobs-layoffs-kristalina-georgieva-world-economic-forum-davos-2024-1">AI will be bad news for plenty of workers, warns IMF chief</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/booths-grocery-chain-removed-self-service-checkouts-staff-prefer-it-2024-1">My supermarket removed all the self-service checkouts. It's annoyed some customers — but the staff prefer it</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerberg-metaverse-bet-take-decade-fully-realized-meta-executive-2024-1">Mark Zuckerberg's $47 billion metaverse bet will take at least a decade to be "fully realized," says Meta exec</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mustang-mark-cuban-texas-ghost-town-empty-mysterious-2024-1">I visited Mark Cuban's Texas ghost town, and "Mustang" was more barren and mysterious than I ever imagined</a>.</li></ul><h2>What's happening today</h2><ul><li>GLAAD Awards nominees will be announced today. The awards celebrate "fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives in the media."</li><li>Samsung's annual Galaxy Unpacked product launch event is today. The company is expected to announce products that include AI capabilities.</li><li>Happy birthday, Michelle Obama! Betty White, Steve Harvey, Muhammad Ali, Benjamin Franklin, Al Capone, and Calvin Harris were also born on this day.</li><li>Earnings today: Charles Schwab <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/earnings-calendar">and other companies</a>.</li></ul><h2>For your bookmarks</h2><h3>Decreasing ultra-processed foods</h3><div type="image" title="Woman in a grocery store" height="867" width="1300" msid="106934540" hostid="261" sizebytes="119572"></div>A nutritionist shared how he's cut down on eating convenient, ultra-processed food. They've been linked with many health issues, so he figured out some <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ways-cut-down-ultra-processed-foods-even-when-busy-2024-1">tips to cut down on them</a>.The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/diamond-naga-siu">Diamond Naga Siu</a>, senior reporter, in San Diego. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/hallam-bullock">Hallam Bullock</a>, editor, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/33739711.1210015/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9hdXRob3IvaGF5bGV5LWh1ZHNvbj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1TYWlsdGhydSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249SW5zaWRlcl9Ub2RheQ/6388bd81e7b7ccd0ba0929daB5b9051cd">Hayley Hudson</a>, director, in Edinburgh. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/lisa-ryan">Lisa Ryan</a>, executive editor, in New York.

Some of the best early-stage startup investors share a common trait that should be a lesson for Silicon Valley

<keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">Startups</keyword> in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> have high expectations from this year's upcoming <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword>. Early-age startups hope for the removal of angel taxes, while <keyword id="20677283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-tech-startups" source="keywords">health tech startups</keyword> expect increased <keyword id="19913964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="funding" source="keywords">funding</keyword> for the sector. Startups function as engines of economic growth, playing a crucial role in generating new jobs, ideas, products, and services. As of December 2023, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recognised 1,17,254 startups. These startups have reportedly created over 12.42 lakh direct jobs, significantly impacting the economy. Eklavya Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Recur Club, stated, "We are confident that India's business credit landscape is on the brink of a major digital overhaul. FinTechs are at the forefront of this change, deploying innovative technologies and utilising in-depth data analytics to streamline and expand <keyword id="20974354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-access" source="keywords">credit access</keyword>." He added, "While the current allocation of Rs 10,000 crore is an excellent initial step, realising the full capabilities of India's SME and startup ecosystem will necessitate greater investment, especially in credit guarantee schemes." Vinod K Singh, Co-Founder and CTO of Concirrus, expressed his expectations from the budget: "As the Union Budget 2024-25 approaches, we hope the government will address the pressing issue of the 'angel tax.' Eliminating this tax will enhance capital formation and attract vital <keyword id="19895633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investments" source="keywords">investments</keyword>. Streamlining the duty structure and reducing high tariffs on electronic inputs are also crucial to bolstering the startup ecosystem and driving innovation. Expanding the Fund of Funds and introducing low-interest loans would be beneficial." Rajiv Lamba, co-founder and CEO of AI-enabled customer feedback platform Surveysensum, added, "Just as the government has prioritised financial inclusion, it should now focus on <keyword id="22405441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technological-inclusion" source="keywords">technological inclusion</keyword> to propel India to the next stage of growth. By training youth in AI, the government can make a strategic investment in the nation's technological future. Given the rapidly evolving job market, a substantial increase of 20 to 25 percent in budget allocation should be considered for AI-based skill development and entrepreneurship." He further emphasised, "Incentivizing investment in <keyword id="20328842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-startups" source="keywords">AI startups</keyword> and R&amp;D initiatives can boost local innovation in the AI space. The last budget introduced a deep tech fund of Rs 1 lakh crore with a 50-year interest-free loan period; the government should now establish a clear and transparent mechanism for access to this fund." Raja S, founder and MD of Hearzap, highlighted the expectations of health tech startups: "Health tech startups are eagerly anticipating increased funding that could usher in transformative advancements. This crucial investment holds the promise of extending cutting-edge healthcare solutions to rural and underserved areas, effectively bridging existing gaps in care. The upcoming budget ensures that every individual in our diverse population, from the youngest to the oldest, can access essential health services, including specialised care." Discussing taxation for startups in India, Vvihan Gulati, Director of Mediagraphics PR, commented, "Removing the angel tax is a highly anticipated move that would benefit early-stage startups and their investors. It would foster a more favourable environment for innovation and growth, allowing startups to attract much-needed capital without the burden of excessive taxation. This change could significantly enhance the ease of doing business and contribute to the overall growth of the startup ecosystem in India." The Union Budget 2024 will be tabled on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. With this, she will become the first Finance Minister to deliver seven consecutive budgets, surpassing Morarji Desai. She presented the interim budget on February 1 of this year.

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

<keyword id="22948419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reflect-Orbital" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reflect Orbital" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reflect Orbital">Reflect Orbital</keyword>, a California-based startup, has set its sights on a futuristic goal: providing "<keyword id="22948420" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunlight-on-demand" source="keywords">sunlight on demand</keyword>" using orbiting mirrors in space. The company's vision is to address one of the biggest challenges in <keyword id="19915217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-energy" source="keywords">solar energy</keyword> — the inability to generate power after sunset or during cloudy days — by using a fleet of <keyword id="20279522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-satellites" source="keywords">small satellites</keyword> equipped with highly reflective <keyword id="22948421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mylar-mirrors" source="keywords">Mylar mirrors</keyword>. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">How the technology works</h3>Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 57 small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Each satellite will be outfitted with a 33-square-foot reflective Mylar mirror. These mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight down to Earth, targeting <keyword id="20658734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-farms" source="keywords">solar farms</keyword> and extending their operational hours by providing an extra 30 minutes of sunlight after sunset or before sunrise. The mirrors will focus sunlight into a concentrated beam, directed by solar farm operators using a simple interface, where users can log in, provide GPS coordinates, and request sunlight. <div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1826682383514697993"></div>The idea is to make solar energy more available when it’s most needed — not just during daylight hours, but also in the early morning and evening when electricity demand is typically higher. This could potentially increase the efficiency and profitability of <keyword id="20423867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-power-generation" source="keywords">solar power generation</keyword>, as energy produced during these periods can be sold at higher rates. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Potential challenges</h3>Despite the excitement around this technology, there are several challenges that Reflect Orbital will need to overcome. Weather conditions such as thick clouds or storms could obstruct the reflected sunlight, limiting its effectiveness. Seasonal changes that affect the angle and duration of sunlight might also present difficulties. Additionally, the potential environmental impact, including light pollution and interference with astronomical observations, has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112805908" title="How will Sunita Williams’ body have changed when she returns from space in February 2025?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Reflect Orbital is aware of these challenges and has designed the mirrors to minimise light pollution. The company has also tested its technology using a hot air balloon, which successfully simulated the satellite mirrors' effect by reflecting sunlight down to a solar farm. According to co-founder <keyword id="22948422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ben-nowack" source="keywords">Ben Nowack</keyword>, the company was able to generate "500 watts of energy per square metre" of solar panel, which is about "half the brightness of the sun." <div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767961251186163857"></div>Reflect Orbital is still in the early stages, with plans to launch its first test satellite in 2025. Interest in the project has been strong, with over 30,000 applications already submitted by individuals and organisations eager to participate in the initial offering of "sunlight on demand." This ambitious project could mark a significant step forward in renewable energy technology if successful, providing a novel solution to the intermittent nature of solar power and helping to accelerate the transition to <keyword id="21313059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-energy-sources" source="keywords">sustainable energy sources</keyword>.

Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

<ul><li>71% of <keyword id="16562257" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="founders-of-early-stage" source="Orion">founders of early-stage</keyword> companies plan to raise <keyword id="549785" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="venture-debt" source="Orion">venture debt</keyword> in 2023. </li><li>74% of VCs surveyed said they would recommend their portfolio companies to take on venture debt in 2023. </li><li>Venture debt disbursed increased 2.6 times from 2019 to 2022.</li></ul>A lot has changed in the last one year in the <keyword id="1948071" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indian-start-up" source="Orion">Indian start-up</keyword> landscape. In per a survey by India Venture Debt Report by <keyword id="9353689" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="Stride-Ventures" source="Orion">Stride Ventures</keyword>, 82% of founders said they will strive for <keyword id="6515078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="profitability" source="Orion">profitability</keyword> and prioritize scaling their startups in 2023. Also, 79% of VCs want to focus on profitability, while only 21% want to focus on growth. This is in contrast to 2022 when 68% of founders and 55% of VCs focused on growth rather than profitability. The survey also revealed that 71% of founders of early-stage companies plan to raise venture debt in 2023, compared to 50% of late-stage founders and 20% of growth-stage founders. Says Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, founder and managing partner, Stride Ventures, “Venture debt has become one of the key growth enablers for Indian startups.” Additionally, 74% of VCs surveyed would recommend their portfolio companies to take on venture debt in 2023. The survey results also highlighted that 62% of founders and 44% of VCs consider "engaging with bank limits" as the most important value-added service offered by a venture debt fund, with "advisory on corporate financial services" being the second most preferred service for 28% of founders and 33% of VCs. Bank limits are defined by a bank to set up amount and duration based restrictions on the transactions that can be carried out by the user. This is a change from 2022, where advisory on corporate financial services was considered the most important value-added service. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Agritech, healthtech, SaaS receive fewer venture debt prospects" comment="subhead2" text="Agritech, healthtech, SaaS receive fewer venture debt prospects">Agritech, healthtech, SaaS receive fewer venture debt prospects</cmsannotation> Finally, the survey indicated that agritech, healthtech, and SaaS sectors are receiving fewer venture debt prospects according to founders and VCs. Out of a total of 170-180 venture debt deals recorded in 2022, the fintech sector emerged as the leading sector with 31% of the share, followed by consumer and agritech sector startups. The report also highlights the potential of B2B replacing fintech in 2023 for the most attractive sector for venture debt, closely followed by consumer and EV. The report also reveals that the venture debt ecosystem in India is thriving, with a 2.6 times increase in the debt amount disbursed from 2019 to 2022. The report indicates that Series D and startups beyond that stage raised the most debt in 2022, while pre-Series A stage startups completed the highest number of debt deals. Geographically, the report recorded Delhi NCR as the most active location for venture debt deals in 2022, followed by Bangalore and Mumbai. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-ports-jsw-steel-indusind-bank-top-the-nifty50-list-with-highest-promoter-pledges/slidelist/98008939.cms">Adani Ports, JSW Steel, IndusInd Bank top Nifty50 list with highest promoter pledges</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/sell-off-in-adani-group-shares-resumes-after-george-soros-comments/articleshow/98008647.cms">Sell-off in Adani group shares resumes after George Soros’ comments</a>

You Searched For "early stage startups" and got 10 results

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Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

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Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

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As profitability takes priority, venture debt finds favour with startup founders: Strides report

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