Best Platforms to get Startup Funding in India

In recent years, startups have been receiving increased attention across the world. The start-up ecosystem has evolved drastically over the past decade and opened great avenues not only for financial capital but shared access to start-up advisory services such as free co-working spaces, knowledge sharing, access to multiple technology platforms, access to various CXO’s etc. 

The number of startups has increased tremendously and more support has become available across all dimensions. As per inc42, India Ranks third in global unicorn race. In 2022, India minted 3X more unicorns than China and other countries.  The 3-year CAGR between 2019 and 2022,  new unicorns produced in India was 44% whereas it was 33% in China.

In India, the number of start-up’s have increased from 445 in 2016 to 86,713 in 2022, an increase of 141% CAGR. India has witnessed a surge in entrepreneurial spirit, with startups emerging in various sectors, from technology and e-commerce to healthcare and fintech. As of June 2022, the country had around 4,200 FinTech startups, 17 of which were unicorns and in the enterprisetech sector, there were 13 unicorns. 

Bangalore has emerged as India’s primary startup hub, where out of total 115 unicorns, 44 unicorns have been founded in the past decade and Out of 100+ soonicorns, 44 are registered in Bangalore. Meanwhile, Delhi and Mumbai were the second and third largest unicorn hubs with 36 and 17 start-ups respectively. The fintech sector comes right after e-commerce, boasting a total of 21 unicorns, including prominent players like Paytm, Razorpay, Policy Bazaar, Digit, PhonePe, among others. In terms of India's unicorns, the e-commerce sector holds the majority share, with 23 startups achieving this esteemed status as of May 2022.

Indian  Startup Ecosystem evolved by the number of unicorns

Source : Inc42 Report 2022 

With this boom in the startup ecosystem, the need for reliable and efficient platforms to secure startup funding has become paramount.

In this ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurial ventures, the search for external financial support has transcended traditional avenues, paving the way for a dynamic funding ecosystem. Today, entrepreneurs have an array of funding sources at their disposal, ranging from angel investors and venture capitalists to crowdfunding platforms and corporate partnerships. According to Fortune India, India is now home to a 26,500+ bustling angel investing community. While certain angel investors choose to operate independently, others opt to form syndications or join business angel networks, which enable them to make smarter and more effective investments.

Currently, India is the home of >30 angel network platforms where some are sector specialists, few are company stage specialists and some are sector agnostic as well. Entrepreneurs across India are seeking out the best platforms to connect with investors who believe in their vision and are willing to provide the necessary financial support by funding them. Various online startup investment platforms act as resourceful platforms for investors and startups.

Startups can raise funds from different kinds of investors and platforms based on their needs and stage.

Planify Capital 

Planify is India’s leading platform for startup funding and fundraising.  It facilitates strategic fundraising to attract top accredited investors. Planify is the biggest platform to invest in Startups, Pre-IPO & Unicorns and connects investors with entrepreneurs for Angel Investing.

Planify has successfully raised ₹100 Cr. from angel investors and family offices & empowered ₹150 Cr. worth of transactions of Pre IPO & Unicorns on its platform.

Planify has 250+ exclusive opportunities for investors and has 34+ successful exits where the minimum return on the exits is 250%. Some of the exits stand at a whopping 1,000% - 2,000% return. Overall, Planify-backed investment opportunities generate more than 50% yearly returns.

Planify-backed Startups have a portfolio valuation of over ₹1600 Cr. across 6 companies.

Planify is backed by marquee investors like Bhumika Shrivastava (Global HR head Polygon), Shashvat Nakrani(Co-founder BharatPe), Devendra Jain (Head Customer Experience - Bharti Airtel) and Sunil Goel(Director- Ar Bearings Ltd.), Mankind Pharma family office and many more.

Benefits to founders

• Networking: Through Planify, you can gain access to over 10,000 angel investors & family offices.

• Hassle-free fundraising: Planify is actively working on raising equity funds for startups and helps raise funds between ₹5 Cr. to ₹25 Cr.

• Strategic Tie-ups: Planify facilitates networking & helps you connect with veterans in the industry to seek guidance.

In the world of startups, building the right network can take your business to the next level. Planify is one such platform, wherein, investors and entrepreneurs connect to establish meaningful connections with people across varied business interests.

Planify is driven towards supporting the startup ecosystem, in terms of raising funds and brainstorming some great disruptive business ideas.

Planify Traction

 Lets Venture

LetsVenture, established in 2013 by Shanti Mohan and Sanjay Jha, is a fundraising platform that focuses on early and growth-stage startups. It serves as a transparent medium for both investors and startups seeking angel investors or seed investments. LetsVenture provides a platform where investors can discover promising startups and entrepreneurs can connect with potential investors to secure the necessary funding for their ventures. As claimed by LetsVenture, it helped more than 220 startups raise nearly Rs.600 crores in the last 6 years through its platform.

AngelList India

AngelList India is a platform for angel investors in India that is used by accredited investors to invest in Indian startups. Investors can use this platform for investing in startups if they are looking for convenient tools and infrastructure required to help them make better investment decisions. To invest through AngelList India, one needs to qualify as an ‘Eligible Angel Investor’. AngelList India has set its criteria for individuals and companies to qualify as an ‘Eligible Angel Investor’.

Seedfund

Seedfund is indeed a reputable option for those seeking a seed funding platform. It has a track record of investing in numerous early-stage startups across various industry verticals such as e-commerce, technology, education, healthcare, and rural marketing. Seedfund's diverse investment portfolio demonstrates its willingness to support startups in a wide range of sectors, making it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs seeking seed funding.

 Angel Investment Network

Angel Investment Network is an ideal medium. The Angel Investment Network serves as a convenient platform for startups to systematically raise funds by pitching their business ideas to a network of potential investors. This platform facilitates the connection between startups and investors, providing startups with the opportunity to secure capital for their ventures. By leveraging the network and resources of the Angel Investment Network, startups can enhance their fundraising efforts and increase their chances of successfully raising the necessary capital.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the startup funding landscape has evolved into a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem, where founders can explore a multitude of funding sources and leverage technology to their advantage. The barriers to entry have lowered, and innovative ideas from around the world have an equal chance to secure the financial backing they need. However, success in this ecosystem requires entrepreneurs to be adaptable, strategic, and relentless in their pursuit of funding opportunities. The evolution of the startup ecosystem has opened doors, but it is up to the founders to seize the moment and shape their own destiny in the world of entrepreneurship.

It's important for startups to research each platform and determine which one is best suited for their specific needs and goals. Additionally, startups should ensure that they have a solid business plan, a strong team in place, and a clear value proposition to effectively attract investors and secure funding.