This week, get ready for an extraordinary episode of the Barbershop as we bring you an exhilarating live shoot from the Bombae Pad! Join us as we embark on an insightful journey into the intricacies of early-stage fundraising alongside three remarkable women: Prachi Pawar, VP at Peak XV; Nikita Khanna, Founder of Moxie; and Twinkle Uppal, Founder of Hoop. In this episode, we delve deep into the core aspects of raising the first round capital for your business. These exceptional entrepreneurs generously share their expertise, experiences, and hard-earned wisdom with a vibrant audience of dynamic women from the startup ecosystem. Brace yourself to be inspired as we unravel the secrets of securing funding and unveil priceless firsthand insights. Understand the importance of finding the perfect founder-investor match, a crucial element that paves the way for long-term success. Gain invaluable knowledge on organizing your cap table effectively, ensuring that equity distribution aligns with your vision and future growth; and learn the importance of being on the same wavelength with your business' investors, building strong partnerships based on shared goals and values. Prepare to be captivated by the electrifying energy of this episode as we empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies, and inspiration they need to navigate the complex world of early-stage fundraising. Unlock the key to funding success and embark on your own entrepreneurial journey with confidence and conviction. Introduction: 00:00 - 1:40 How do you choose the right time to raise capital?: 1:41 - 9:17 What percentage of your personal savings would you put into your business? 9:18 - 13:12:51 What to look for in a founder?/ raising from different kinds of angels: 12:52 - 19:50 How big is your anti-portfolio? 19:51 - 22:07 Choosing your investors: 22:08 - 32:00 How does a click happen with a founder?: 32:01 - 41:52 What are some deal breakers for investors & founders?: 41:53 - 51:32 Risk appetites in the funding ecosystem/ funding benchmarks : 58:26 - 1:01:03 Can your business idea be copied? 1:01:04 - 1:06:28 Warding off burnout 1:06:29 - 1:09:32 Handling rejection 1:09:33 - 1:10:50 Making a decision about founders: 1:10:51 - 1:12:38 What if the investor starts running my business? 1:12:39 - 1:14:50 Building in alcohol/ Do you need an MBA?: 1:14:51 - 1:18:12