Browsing: startup

Will The Real Influencer Please Stand Up?: The Rise Of VC Storytellers

Many have debated when venture capital became a big deal in India. Some think it was in the 1990s after new policies were implemented, some say it was somewhere in the late 2000s and others say it was the 2010s. But, at whatever point it can be pinpointed to, VCs were seen to have the traditional role of a financial backer. But, maybe, in recent times, VCs seem to have become influencers. Not the kind dancing in an Instagram Reel to the latest viral 10-second tune. Maybe, there's a tiny chunk of investors out there doing that. The kind that's shaping narratives for India's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

How did that happen? With the pools of people hooked on to social media platforms & the penetration of the Internet and smartphones in India, VCs seem to have realized that the lava of their words could melt the shackles that hold them back from being brand-builders and storytellers. 

And the need's certainly there. One report outlines that the Indian startup ecosystem attracted more than $150 billion in investments, with FinTech, e-commerce and enterprise tech leading the charge. And India is said to have close to 120 unicorns, as of October 2024. The Shark Tank India-ization of the ecosystem may have meant that more people feel encouraged to drop everything and start their own venture, while not being aware that supposedly, close to 130,000 startups fail every day in India.

So, with the rising trend of VCs as storytellers, can they be the Northern Star for these startups?

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This CleanTech Startup Is Raising Its Second Round

A CleanTech startup specializing in the manufacturing and development of environmentally-friendly rechargeable batteries may be on the brink of a fundraising milestone.

Nexus Power, whose batteries are created from agricultural leftovers, are said to be designed to have significant advantages over traditional options by charging faster, lasting longer and minimizing reliance on lithium.

In a podcast with RizingTV, in April 2024, Nikita Baliarsingh, Co-Founder & CIO of Nexus Power indicated that the company is in the process of raising its second round.

Baliarsingh remarks, "This would be used for a pilot line and we have almost closed on the paperwork. It's much bigger than the first round for sure".

While the specifics of the second round have not yet been disclosed, Baliarsingh shared insights into the financial history of Nexus Power.

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