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Fundraising

Fundraising Advisory — Equity, Debt & Term-Sheet Negotiation

Expert-led fundraising advisory for Indian startups and SMEs — investor readiness, financial model, valuation, term-sheet negotiation and end-to-end closing support across equity and venture debt.

What we deliver

1

Investor pitch deck and 3-statement financial model

2

Valuation, cap table planning and dilution scenarios

3

Investor outreach support and data-room prep

4

Term-sheet review and negotiation (SAFE, CCPS, CCD)

5

Due-diligence response management

6

FEMA / ROC filings at closing (FC-GPR, PAS-3, SH-7)

How we engage
Scope-based fee, confirmed in writing

Fees depend on the nature and complexity of the work, number of entities and countries, transaction volume, reporting frequency, deadlines, and whether the engagement is ongoing or one-off. After an initial discussion we send a written engagement letter setting out the scope, deliverables, timelines and fee.

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Equity, debt or something in between

Fundraising advisory starts with the question of which money suits the business. Equity from angels or funds suits companies that will grow fast and can give up ownership. Bank debt and working-capital lines suit businesses with steady cash flow and assets. Venture debt, revenue-based finance and convertible instruments fill the gap between them. Each comes with different dilution, covenants, timelines and paperwork.

Instruments Indian startups use

  • Equity shares: simple, but price is fixed at the round.
  • Compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS): the standard instrument for venture rounds, with liquidation preference and anti-dilution rights.
  • Compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs): convert to equity later; treated as equity for foreign investment purposes.
  • Convertible notes: available to DPIIT-recognised startups from residents and non-residents, subject to minimum amount and conversion-period conditions.

A SAFE as used in the US is not a recognised instrument under Indian foreign-investment rules, so foreign investors usually use CCPS, CCDs or convertible notes.

Figures and timelines above reflect our understanding at the time of writing; confirm against the latest Act, Rules and notifications before relying on them.

How we run a raise

We prepare the financial model and data room, check that past share issues and filings are clean, support the term-sheet negotiation on economic terms, and manage closing: valuation, board and shareholder approvals, allotment, ROC filings and FC-GPR for foreign money. A clean cap table and on-time filings shorten investor diligence noticeably.

Related services: investor readiness, pitch deck advisory and startup valuation.

Practical questions

How long does an equity round take?

From first meetings to money in the bank, often several months. Diligence and documentation typically take several weeks after a term sheet is signed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related services

Guides & Resources

Ready to get started?

Book a 30-minute consultation with Regi Tom Antony.

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