Browsing: entrepreneurs

So, the Union Budget for 2025 is near. How’s it going to be? What’s it going to end up like?…

So, the first full budget of Modi 3.0 was presented by India’s FM Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2025. And while many individuals are…

Think of all the technologies that are trying to disrupt the status quo. UPI wanted to change how people transact. So did crypto. So…

What do you know about the Arctic? You’re probably imagining a lot of ice. If you’ve watched the UK Apprentice,…

The Rizing Equality Summit 2025 was held on 07th March 2025 at Sarovar Portico Naraina- Delhi. This was in partnership with…

This event was held in partnership with the British High Commission in India, Khaitan & Co, Federal Bank and Bandhan…

So, November 2024 had a couple of interesting events. The 45th POTUS won the 2024 US election to become the 47th POTUS, the world's first wooden satellite was launched, Beyoncé became the most nominated artist in Grammy history and oh, there was a boxing match between a 27-year-old YouTuber and a 58-year-old renowned pugilist. That's right, Jake Paul and Michael Tyson battled it out in Arlington, Texas. And the whole thing was being streamed on Netflix, which had live-streamed a couple of things, such as a Christopher Rock stand-up special and a roast of NFL player Thomas Brady.

But, this time was different.

This bout was hyped up, there was trash talk, there was a BTS show (not the K-pop band, the behind-the-scenes of the training), many had commented on how Tyson would eviscerate Paul & there were close to 110 million total live viewers around the world with about 65 million concurrent streams and roughly 70,000 physical spectators.

Do you ever stop to marvel at the innovation around you? In the last couple of years, especially post the…

It seems like over the years, there's a financial instrument quietly gaining traction amongst growth-stage companies in India: venture debt. It may be considered an alternative funding mechanism offering loans and once a niche, it could be emerging as a tool for companies seeking capital without wanting to relinquish too much equity.

So, what's driving interest? What's making venture debt gain popularity as an asset class? According to Dr Somdutta Singh, Serial Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO - Assiduus Global Inc, LP Angel Investor, Advisor Govt of India (Core Committee Member of WEP - Niti Aayog), "The interest is being driven by the relative safety of debt instruments compared to equity, steady income from interest payments and potential equity upside. Additionally, as the startup ecosystem is maturing, I am certain venture debt might become a valuable option for startups looking to complement their capital structure". 

"India's surge in startup activity, over the last few years in particular, presents both opportunities and challenges for the venture debt market. Opportunities lie in providing growth capital to promising startups, while challenges include assessing risk and managing defaults. Education, the people involved, standardizing terms & collaboration between lenders, startups and investors can address these challenges", adds Singh.

In a rapidly evolving world, how people give, why they give and where they direct their charitable efforts seems to…