Serial Funding – A Short and Tweet Story
A Short and Tweet Story – Serial Funding
The world has changed dramatically in the recent past and the continuing pace of change is scorching, to say the least. The manner in which we express and absorb information is also not the same.
An event was organized recently by IIMnetWork on the broad theme of innovation and the audience consisted primarily of IIM alumni. I had the privilege of moderating a panel discussion on “Sustainable Growth through Serial Funding and Challenges” at the this event on 12th July at Mumbai.
In keeping with the changing times that we are living through, here is a Short and Tweet account of the panel discussions !
The Panel Discussion – Serial Funding
The panel discussion focused on serial funding for high growth organizations. The issues and challenges were examined from the perspective of:
- An Entrepreneur
- An Investor
- The Macro Environment and Funding Ecosystem
I was fortunate to have a panel that brought together an experience of being serial entrepreneurs, investing in high growth companies as also working on creating the right platform for supporting startups:
- Sanjay Nishank – Co-founder of GREX, a leading platform to solve the problems of start-up funding
- Biswaroop Padhi – Co-founder of Square Global. He had the distinction of formulating and executing the largest national digital media campaign for the winning PM candidate, as part of the 2014 General Elections
- Kunal Bajaj – CEO of Bombay Gas Telecom. He has been a consultant, entrepreneur and an investor. He was also a Director on the Board of One97 / Paytm.
With this panel, we are sure to blow some minds away! Things are happening at @iimnetwork. Panel on serial funding! pic.twitter.com/cYPyyERql9
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
Startup Funding and The Angel Investor
The investment climate (and the lack thereof) was discussed. The earlier keynote session by the CEO and MD of the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), Mr Ashishkumar Chauhan, set the investment tone. The Big Picture for angel investors is not all that big after all. Not too many angel investing or start-up investing platforms are prospering in India, unlike in the Silicon Valley.
Sure start-up investment is risky. We need more success stories to inspire confidence! @biswaroop @rajivmah @bluesun39 @KunBajaj @iimnetwork — IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
Startup Funding and The Entrepreneur
The discussion moved on to the Entrepreneur. The rapidly growing tribe and their motivation to start their venture varied a bit. However, the one thing that stands out is passion…
@rajivmah @biswaroop says passion or madness! Cant tell apart!
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
Startup Funding and Valuations
The controversial topic of startup valuations was also discussed. The approach to valuing, or rather pricing, startup businesses is very different from the methodology for valuation of conventional businesses. The panel’s blunt verdict..
@iimnetwork @rajivmah @biswaroop @bluesun39 @KunBajaj except for e-commerce and food tech , Indian startups are very undervalued — rohit sobti (@rohitsobti1) July 12, 2015
Wrap-up with a Rapid-fire
The audience was really getting engaged in the discussions and it was time for a rapid-fire round with the questions thrown to the panel followed by the audience !
Oooo..! A rapid fire to conclude the panel. Things are heating up! @rajivmah is the moderator.. Fantastic panel discussion here! @iimnetwork
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
Rapid-fire : What Drives You?
The one rapid-fire question that got everyone hooked on….
Whats the one thing that keeps driving you? @rajivmah @iimnetwork — IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
..drew interesting re-actions from the panel…
@rajivmah @iimnetwork @KunBajaj says certainly not for comfort. To create a dent in the universe!
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
@rajivmah @iimnetwork @bluesun39 says opportunity cost! And trust and belief from others — IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
..and even more from the audience…
@rajivmah @iimnetwork value addition into the society and ecosystem someone says from the audience
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
@rajivmah @iimnetwork independence to not have to work in a framework from the audience!
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
@rajivmah @iimnetwork Dream and passion for fighting for the dream quotes someone
— IIMnetWORK (@iimnetwork) July 12, 2015
Not so short and tweet – more faces…
The short and tweet story is done. However, if you follow other social media, you will not lose face!
Here is a snapshot from the Facebook page of IIMnetWORK:
Also we just finished a panel discussion on serial funding which was moderated by Mr. Rajiv Maheswari, CEO, Anand and Anand. The panelists were:IIMnetWORK on Sunday, July 12, 2015
Up Next
Hope you enjoyed the Short and Tweet story of the panel discussion on Sustainable Growth through Serial Funding and Challenges.
The IIMnetWORK team led by Rakesh Kumar and Winny Patro is hosting the Bangalore and Gurgaon legs of the event over the next couple of weeks.
All the best to the team and to all who dare to dream and follow their passion. Good luck also to those who invest in these dreams !
[…] Short and Tweet story – Panel Discussion on Sustainable Growth through Serial Funding moderated by Rajiv Maheshwari. IIMnetWORK at Vivanta by Taj, Mumbai. […]