[Exclusive Interview] Find Out This Tech-Powered Platform Is Connecting Startups With Investors & Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Recently we interacted with Mr Vittal Ramakrishnan, CEO & founder of POD, which is a full stack fundraising platform. We asked him on how an automated platform make it easy for startups to create impactful business ideas and pitch presentations, and now POD is empowering startups and VCs by forming the tech-powered bridge between them.

Here are the interview highlights:

1. How does your company work in order to provide investment to the startup?

We provide a tech-based platform to facilitate fundraising with the help of a network of 4000+ investors and showcase our vetted startup deals. In the last 10 months, POD has successfully closed deals for 15 startups.

2. How does it work ?

A startup can apply for fundraising on our platform which has to pass the 10-pointer vetting process. Post which we allow startups to pitch their venture to our network investors. Post the virtual pitch, the startup is showcased on the platform and the fundraising campaign kicks-off.

3. What are the procedures for fundraising?

Step 1: Startups create their profile on podworld.in through an easy onboarding process and submit their Pitch Deck

Step 2: The proficient Investment Team at POD reviews the Pitch Deck and then conducts a screening call with the startup founders

Step 3: If the startup is shortlisted post the screening call, the next step is to successfully clear POD’s 10-point metric evaluation system

Step 4: On clearing the 10-point metric evaluation system, the startup gets shortlisted for a virtual pitch titled POP Series, where the founders pitch to POD’s network investors 

Step 5: Depending on investors’ feedback and interest, the startup gets listed on the platform and the funding campaign begins 

Step 6: Funds received are securely held in a SEBI registered Escrow account and once the goal is reached, the legal documentation process begins

Step 7: Once compliance is completed, funds get disbursed to the startup and securities are issued to the investors

4. How does the company get benefits while raising funds?

The startup gets a digital-first approach in the entire process of fundraising. In addition, the startup can raise funds in a seamless, secure and a transparent manner. Traditional fundraising usually takes up to 3 months or more. However, the end-to-end fundraising cycle on podworld.in is completed in as little as 3 weeks.

5. What are the criteria and what sector can participate in fundraising?

The mandatory criteria for startups to raise funds on podworld.in are:

i) The startup should be incorporated as a Private Limited entity in India

ii) The startup should have its MVP (Minimum Viable Product) ready

iii) The funding requirement can be up to INR 1 CRORE

iv) The startup can be from any sector as POD is sector agnostic

6. What are the company’s top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year?

In 2023, POD’s goal is to enable 100+ early-stage startups to successfully raise funds through its platform. Additionally, POD aspires to pioneer a fundraising stack that is set to redefine startup fundraising in India. 

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