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VC Dekho Publication

Founders' Guidebook

Insights, directories, and database-backed research to simplify venture capital and fundraising for early-stage builders in India.

Board Meetings 101Consumer Brand VcCorporate Vc IndiaDeeptech RaiseDue Diligence PrepFamily Office ChequesFollow On StrategyFounder UpdatesGeo Bengaluru MumbaiIndia Global Raise
Cap Table Basics for First-Time Founders in India
Founder Guide

Cap Table Basics for First-Time Founders in India

Master cap tables, equity splits, ESOP pools, and dilution across seed and Series A rounds. Essential guide for first-time founders in India.

10 October 20265 min
How to Get a Warm Intro to a VC in India (Without Being Awkward)
Founder Guide

How to Get a Warm Intro to a VC in India (Without Being Awkward)

Master the art of securing warm introductions to venture capitalists in India. A practical playbook for founders on who to ask, LinkedIn tactics, and zero-network strategies.

9 October 20265 min
How to Write a Pitch Deck That Indian VCs Actually Read
Founder Guide

How to Write a Pitch Deck That Indian VCs Actually Read

Master the art of fundraising with our slide-by-slide guide to writing a winning pitch deck tailored for early-stage Indian VCs. Avoid fatal mistakes.

8 October 20265 min
SAFE vs Equity: Which Should Indian Founders Choose?
Founder Guide

SAFE vs Equity: Which Should Indian Founders Choose?

Compare SAFE notes and priced equity rounds for Indian early-stage startups. Understand dilution, legal practicalities, and when to use each for fundraising.

7 October 20264 min
The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)
Founder Guide

The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)

Discover the exact metrics Indian venture capitalists look for across SaaS, marketplaces, and consumer startups at pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages.

6 October 20264 min
Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup
Founder Guide

Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup

Learn how India-first startups can pitch to US and European VCs. Master market size positioning, cross-border structuring, and global investor readiness.

5 October 20265 min
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Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: Founder Playbook
Founder Guide

Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: Founder Playbook

Learn how Indian founders can plan for Series A while closing their seed round. Discover what investors expect for follow-on readiness and avoid dead-ends.

4 October 20265 min
Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital
Founder Guide

Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital

Master your first board meeting after raising institutional capital. Get actionable tips on agendas, metrics packs, and managing investor dynamics.

3 October 20264 min
Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders
Founder Guide

Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders

Learn how secondary share sales work for Indian startups. Understand cap table impacts, tax implications, and what venture capitalists think of secondaries.

2 October 20265 min
Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The New Playbook
Founder Guide

Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The New Playbook

Explore the shifting D2C funding landscape in India. Discover what unit economics, brand moats, and growth metrics institutional investors look for today.

1 October 20265 min
How Deeptech Startups Raise in India When Traction Is Slow
Founder Guide

How Deeptech Startups Raise in India When Traction Is Slow

Learn how Indian deeptech startups can secure venture capital with slow traction. Master milestone-based storytelling, grant stacks, and VC pitching.

30 September 20264 min
Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India
Founder Guide

Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India

Navigate the Indian VC landscape as a women founder. Practical data-aware strategies, gender-lens funds, network hacks, and bias-proofing your pitch.

29 September 20264 min
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Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Where Should Startups Base Themselves?
Founder Guide

Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Where Should Startups Base Themselves?

Does location still matter for Indian startups raising venture capital in 2026? Compare Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR for ecosystem density and investor access.

28 September 20264 min
Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start
Founder Guide

Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start

Master startup runway math for Indian founders. Learn how to calculate months of runway, build fundraising buffers, and signal burn discipline to VCs.

27 September 20265 min
How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged
Founder Guide

How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged

Master the art of the monthly investor update. Learn what metrics to share, how to frame asks, and why silence kills follow-on interest for Indian startups.

26 September 20264 min
How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic
Founder Guide

How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic

Master the VC due diligence process in India. Get a complete checklist covering financial, legal, product, and reference checks to close your round fast.

25 September 20264 min
Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss
Founder Guide

Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss

Learn how Indian family offices differ from VCs in decision speed, governance, and relationship management. Practical advice for startup founders.

24 September 20265 min
Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?
Founder Guide

Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?

Weighing strategic capital from Indian corporate venture capital (CVC)? Explore distribution perks, exit conflicts, follow-on risks, and key diligence questions.

23 September 20265 min
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Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?
Founder Guide

Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?

Stuck choosing between micro VCs and Tier-1 funds for your Indian startup? Use our practical decision framework on cheque size, speed, and signaling.

22 September 20265 min
Climate Tech VC in India: What Investors Actually Fund
Founder Guide

Climate Tech VC in India: What Investors Actually Fund

Discover what Indian climate tech venture capital funds look for. Learn about policy tailwinds, hardware vs software bets, and proving commercial viability.

21 September 20265 min
How Indian SaaS Investors Evaluate Early Traction for Term Sheets
Founder Guide

How Indian SaaS Investors Evaluate Early Traction for Term Sheets

Discover what Indian SaaS investors look for in early traction. Learn key metrics like ARR, net retention, CAC payback, and India-to-global GTM strategies.

20 September 20265 min
What Fintech VCs in India Look For in 2026
Founder Guide

What Fintech VCs in India Look For in 2026

Discover what Indian fintech VCs prioritize in 2026. Learn how to align your startup thesis with compliance, distribution, and unit economics.

19 September 20264 min
From Angel Round to Institutional Seed: What Changes for Indian Founders
Founder Guide

From Angel Round to Institutional Seed: What Changes for Indian Founders

Moving from angel investors to institutional seed funds in India? Learn how diligence, governance, data rooms, and founder readiness change for your startup.

18 September 20264 min
When a Bridge Round Makes Sense (And When It Is a Trap)
Founder Guide

When a Bridge Round Makes Sense (And When It Is a Trap)

Learn when a startup bridge round is smart runway insurance versus a red flag for future investors. Practical guide for Indian founders.

17 September 20265 min
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SAFE vs Equity: Which Should Indian Founders Choose?
Founder Guide

SAFE vs Equity: Which Should Indian Founders Choose?

Compare SAFE notes and priced equity rounds for Indian startups. Understand legal practicality, dilution, FEMA rules, and when to use each.

9 September 20264 min
The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)
Founder Guide

The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)

Discover the exact SaaS, marketplace, and consumer metrics Indian VCs look for at pre-seed, seed, and Series A. Essential fundraising guide for founders.

8 September 20264 min
Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup
Founder Guide

Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup

Learn how India-first startups can pitch to US and European VCs. Master cross-border fundraising, market sizing strategies, and global investor relations.

7 September 20265 min
Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: Founder Playbook
Founder Guide

Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: Founder Playbook

Learn how Indian founders can plan for Series A while closing their seed round. Discover metrics, milestone planning, and how to avoid dead-end rounds.

6 September 20265 min
Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital
Founder Guide

Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital

Master your first board meeting after raising institutional capital. Learn how to set the agenda, build a metrics pack, and manage VC dynamics effectively.

5 September 20264 min
Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders
Founder Guide

Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders

Learn how secondary share sales work for Indian startups. Understand cap table impacts, tax implications, and what VCs think of founder liquidity.

4 September 20265 min
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Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The 2024 Playbook
Founder Guide

Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The 2024 Playbook

Discover what Indian VCs look for in D2C startups today. Learn how to prove unit economics, build brand moats, and attract institutional capital now.

3 September 20264 min
How Indian Deeptech Startups Raise Capital When Traction Is Slow
Founder Guide

How Indian Deeptech Startups Raise Capital When Traction Is Slow

Learn how Indian deeptech founders can secure funding with slow traction. Master milestone storytelling, grant-equity stacks, and pitching long R&D cycles.

2 September 20265 min
Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India
Founder Guide

Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India

Navigate VC bias, leverage women-focused funds, and secure capital. Practical, data-backed fundraising strategies for women founders in India.

1 September 20264 min
Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Does Location Matter in 2026?
Founder Guide

Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Does Location Matter in 2026?

Does startup location still impact VC funding in India? Compare Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR ecosystems, remote trends, and founder advice for 2026.

31 August 20264 min
Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start
Founder Guide

Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start

Master startup runway math for Indian founders. Learn how to calculate months of runway, build fundraising buffers, and signal burn discipline to VCs.

30 August 20265 min
How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged
Founder Guide

How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged

Master the art of founder updates. Learn what metrics, asks, and risks to include in your monthly email to keep Indian VCs hooked for follow-on rounds.

29 August 20264 min
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How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic: An Indian Founder's Guide
Founder Guide

How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic: An Indian Founder's Guide

Master venture capital due diligence in India. Get a practical checklist for financial, legal, tech, and reference checks to close your funding round fast.

28 August 20265 min
Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss
Founder Guide

Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss

Discover how Indian family offices differ from VCs in decision speed, governance needs, and relationship management. Essential founder guide.

27 August 20265 min
Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?
Founder Guide

Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?

Weighing strategic capital from Indian corporate VCs? Explore the pros and cons of CVC funding, distribution perks, conflicts, and key diligence questions.

26 August 20265 min
Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?
Founder Guide

Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?

Wondering who to pitch first? Use this decision framework comparing Micro VCs and Tier-1 funds in India by cheque size, speed, signaling, and stage.

25 August 20265 min
Climate Tech Investing in India: What VC Funds Actually Want
Founder Guide

Climate Tech Investing in India: What VC Funds Actually Want

Explore the Indian climate tech VC landscape. Learn how to leverage policy tailwinds, pitch hardware vs. software, and prove commercial viability.

24 August 20264 min
How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged
Founder Guide

How to Write Investor Updates That Keep Indian VCs Engaged

Master the art of founder updates. Get a proven monthly template covering key metrics, specific asks, and risks to keep your investors engaged and ready to back.

23 August 20264 min
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How Indian SaaS Investors Evaluate Early Traction for Term Sheets
Founder Guide

How Indian SaaS Investors Evaluate Early Traction for Term Sheets

Discover what Indian SaaS VCs look for in early traction. Learn key metrics like ARR, net retention, CAC payback, and India vs global GTM strategies.

22 August 20265 min
The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)
Founder Guide

The Metrics Indian VCs Actually Ask For (By Stage)

Discover the exact SaaS, marketplace, and consumer metrics Indian venture capitalists look for at pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. Founder guide.

21 August 20265 min
How to Write a Pitch Deck That Indian VCs Actually Read
Founder Guide

How to Write a Pitch Deck That Indian VCs Actually Read

Master the art of fundraising with our slide-by-slide guide to crafting a 10-12 slide pitch deck tailored for Indian early-stage venture capitalists.

20 August 20265 min
How to Get a Warm Intro to a VC in India (Without Being Awkward)
Founder Guide

How to Get a Warm Intro to a VC in India (Without Being Awkward)

Learn how to secure warm introductions to venture capitalists in India. Discover practical networking tactics, LinkedIn outreach, and strategies for zero-network founders.

19 August 20265 min
When a Bridge Round Makes Sense (And When It Is a Trap)
Founder Guide

When a Bridge Round Makes Sense (And When It Is a Trap)

Learn when a startup bridge round acts as runway insurance and when it signals a fatal flaw. Essential fundraising insights for Indian founders.

18 August 20265 min
Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders
Founder Guide

Secondary Sales Explained for Indian Startup Founders

Learn how secondary share sales work for Indian startups. Understand cap table impacts, founder liquidity, tax implications, and what VCs really think.

17 August 20264 min
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Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?
Founder Guide

Should You Take Money From a Corporate VC in India?

Weighing strategic capital from a Corporate VC in India? Discover the pros, cons, distribution perks, exit risks, and key diligence questions for founders.

16 August 20265 min
How Early-Stage Valuations Work in India (And How Not to Get Anchored)
Founder Guide

How Early-Stage Valuations Work in India (And How Not to Get Anchored)

Learn how early-stage startup valuations work in India. Understand valuation ranges, comparable rounds, and tactics to avoid vanity metric anchoring.

15 August 20264 min
Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss
Founder Guide

Raising From Family Offices in India: What Founders Miss

Discover how Indian family offices differ from VCs in decision speed, governance, and relationship management. Essential guide for startup founders.

14 August 20265 min
Climate Tech Investing in India: What VC Funds Actually Want
Founder Guide

Climate Tech Investing in India: What VC Funds Actually Want

Discover what Indian climate tech VCs look for. Learn about policy tailwinds, hardware vs software bets, and proving commercial viability.

13 August 20265 min
How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic
Founder Guide

How to Survive VC Due Diligence Without Panic

Master the VC due diligence process in India. A practical checklist covering financial, legal, product, and reference checks to close your funding faster.

12 August 20264 min
The Pre-Seed Fundraising Checklist for Indian Startups
Founder Guide

The Pre-Seed Fundraising Checklist for Indian Startups

Master your first institutional round with our ultimate pre-seed fundraising checklist for Indian founders. Prepare metrics, decks, and investor lists.

11 August 20264 min
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Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: A Founder's Guide
Founder Guide

Planning Your Series A While Closing Seed: A Founder's Guide

Learn how Indian startup founders can plan for Series A while closing seed rounds. Master follow-on readiness, metrics, and avoid dead-end rounds.

10 August 20265 min
Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start
Founder Guide

Runway Math: How Much to Raise and When to Start

Master startup runway math for Indian founders. Learn how to calculate months of runway, build buffer for Indian VC cycles, and manage burn discipline.

9 August 20265 min
Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India & Levers
Founder Guide

Fundraising Realities for Women Founders in India & Levers

Navigate VC bias and secure capital in India's startup ecosystem. Discover gender-lens funds, angel networks, and practical fundraising strategies.

8 August 20264 min
Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup
Founder Guide

Raising From Global VCs as an India-First Startup

Learn how India-first startups can pitch to US and European VCs. Master cross-border conversations, market sizing, and positioning your growth effectively.

7 August 20264 min
Cap Table Basics for First-Time Founders in India
Founder Guide

Cap Table Basics for First-Time Founders in India

Master cap table basics for Indian startups. Learn about equity allocation, ESOP pools, dilution across seed to Series A, and red flags to avoid.

6 August 20265 min
Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?
Founder Guide

Micro VCs vs Tier-1 Funds: Who Should You Pitch First?

A practical decision framework for Indian founders comparing micro VCs and Tier-1 funds by cheque size, speed, signaling, and stage. Who should you pitch first?

5 August 20265 min
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Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital
Founder Guide

Your First Board Meeting After Raising Institutional Capital

Master your first board meeting after raising institutional capital. Learn how to build an agenda, share metrics, and manage VC dynamics as a first-time CEO.

4 August 20264 min
Building an ESOP Pool That Attracts Talent in India
Founder Guide

Building an ESOP Pool That Attracts Talent in India

Learn how to build an ESOP pool in India. Expert guide on pool size, vesting schedules, tax basics, and how VCs evaluate founder dilution and generosity.

3 August 20265 min
Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The New Playbook
Founder Guide

Can D2C Brands Still Raise VC in India? The New Playbook

Discover if Indian D2C brands can still raise venture capital. Learn what VCs look for now: unit economics, brand moats, and profitable growth theses.

2 August 20265 min
Term Sheet Red Flags Every Indian Founder Must Spot
Founder Guide

Term Sheet Red Flags Every Indian Founder Must Spot

Liquidation preference, anti-dilution, board control, veto rights — decode the term sheet clauses that can cost Indian founders dearly before you sign.

30 July 20267 min
How Deeptech Startups Raise in India When Traction Is Slow
Founder Guide

How Deeptech Startups Raise in India When Traction Is Slow

Indian deeptech founders: learn how to stack grants with equity, tell milestone-driven stories, and convince VCs to back long R&D cycles before revenue arrives.

28 July 20267 min
From Angel Round to Institutional Seed: What Changes for Indian Founders
Founder Guide

From Angel Round to Institutional Seed: What Changes for Indian Founders

Thinking about raising an institutional seed round after your angel round? Here's how diligence, data rooms, governance, and founder readiness shift in India.

27 July 20267 min
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SAFE vs Equity Rounds: What Indian Founders Must Know Before Signing
Founder Guide

SAFE vs Equity Rounds: What Indian Founders Must Know Before Signing

Confused between SAFE notes and equity rounds? Learn how each works under Indian law, impacts dilution, and which top investors prefer at pre-seed and seed stage.

27 July 20267 min
Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Does Location Still Matter for Fundraising?
Founder Guide

Bengaluru vs Mumbai vs Delhi NCR: Does Location Still Matter for Fundraising?

Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Delhi NCR — which city gives Indian founders the real fundraising edge in 2026? We break down investor density, ecosystem depth, and remote-first realities.

26 July 20267 min
What Fintech VCs in India Look For: Thesis, Triggers & Red Flags
Founder Guide

What Fintech VCs in India Look For: Thesis, Triggers & Red Flags

Compliance moats, distribution depth, unit economics — decode what Indian fintech VCs really evaluate before writing a cheque and how to position your startup to win.

25 July 20267 min
Indian founder choosing the right VC
Guide

How to Find the Right VC for Your Startup in India (Step-by-Step Guide)

Stop pitching the wrong investors. A step-by-step guide for Indian founders on how to find, shortlist, and approach the right VC.

17 June 202617 min
Micro VC funds writing the first cheque
Guide

Best Micro VCs in India Writing the First Cheque in 2026

Shortlist early-stage funds, understand cheque ranges, and secure your first institutional pre-seed capital.

10 June 202612 min
Founder reading a VC investment thesis
Guide

What Is a VC Investment Thesis? A Founder's Guide to Reading One

Learn how to find and decode a fund's core investment convictions so you shortlist better and personalise sharper.

3 June 202610 min
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Top VC hub cities in India
Guide

Top 20 VC Firms in India for Early-Stage Startups (2026)

The 20 most active VCs in India for early-stage founders in 2026, so you stop pitching the wrong rooms.

28 May 202616 min