Sell or raise
Raise Capital with a Structured Funding Profile
Whether you are raising an early round, growth capital or a strategic investment, a clear and supportable profile helps the right investors self-select and shortens unproductive conversations.
How it works
From profile to introduction
- 01
Define the raise
Amount, instrument, use of funds and the investor profile you are targeting.
- 02
Build the profile
Business model, traction, financial ranges, governance and cap-table summary.
- 03
Control disclosure
Keep the pitch deck and financials in a private data room released on approval.
- 04
Engage and diligence
Respond to expressions of interest and run a disciplined process with advisors.
Readiness
What to prepare before you approach investors
- A clear articulation of the problem, solution and target customer.
- Evidence of demand: pipeline, customers, retention or contracted revenue.
- Historic financials and assumptions behind forecasts.
- Cap table, existing investor rights and outstanding instruments.
- Corporate, tax and regulatory compliance status.
- A specific use-of-funds plan with milestones.
- Realistic valuation expectations supported by a rationale.
No guaranteed outcome
Funding climate 2026
What capital providers are backing this year
Capital remains available, but the bar has shifted from growth stories to demonstrable unit economics, disciplined cash use and governance that stands up to diligence.
Profitable growth over burn
Investors want a clear route to positive cash flow, sensible customer acquisition costs and evidence that revenue repeats.
Structured instruments
Convertible notes, SAFEs, compulsorily convertible preference shares and revenue-based finance are being used to bridge valuation gaps.
Family offices as active investors
Domestic family offices and HNI syndicates are backing profitable SMEs directly, often with longer horizons than institutional funds.
Strategic and corporate capital
Corporates invest in suppliers, channel partners and adjacent products where the investment also secures a commercial relationship.
Debt and hybrid alternatives
Working-capital lines, invoice finance, equipment leasing and venture debt can fund growth without diluting ownership.
Cross-border capital via the GCC
UAE-based investors and holding structures are an increasingly common route for Indian companies seeking regional expansion capital.
Fundraise readiness
What to have ready before you invite funding
Most funding conversations stall on missing information rather than a weak business. Prepare these before you approach investors or partners.
- A concise investor deck covering problem, solution, market and traction.
- Three-year historical financials plus a defensible forward model.
- A clean, current capitalisation table with all instruments listed.
- Statutory filings, tax compliance and licences up to date.
- Signed customer contracts and evidence of retention.
- Clear ownership of intellectual property, code, brands and domains.
- A specific use-of-funds plan tied to measurable milestones.
- A data room with documents organised and access controlled.
- Named references from customers, partners or existing investors.
- A realistic valuation expectation and the reasoning behind it.
Funding FAQ
Raising capital: frequently asked questions
How much equity should I give away in a round?+
Most early rounds settle between 10 and 25 percent. Giving away too much too early limits your ability to raise later, so size the round against a specific eighteen to twenty-four month milestone.
How long does a fundraise take?+
Plan for three to six months from first conversation to money in the bank, including diligence and documentation. Starting before you need the money materially improves your negotiating position.
Can a profitable SME raise equity, or is it only for startups?+
Profitable SMEs are actively sought by family offices and growth investors, often on better terms than early-stage startups because the risk is lower and cash flow already exists.
What is the difference between an investor and a strategic partner?+
An investor provides capital and expects a financial return. A strategic partner brings distribution, technology or supply advantages, and their investment usually comes with a commercial agreement alongside it.