Frequently asked questions.
Quick answers about how we invest, who we back, and what you can expect from working with us.
Investment
What stage do you invest in?
Pre-seed and seed. You could be at a paper-plan stage with nothing built yet, you could have an MVP, or you could already have a functional product with paying customers and active users. We have even helped founders pick the problem they want to solve. It is never too early.
How much do you typically invest?
Our typical first cheque is $20K to $250K. We can go higher in a follow-on if the conviction is there.
What instrument do you invest through?
We typically invest on a convertible note with simple, founder-friendly terms. From the day we say yes to money in your bank account is usually less than a week.
Do you lead rounds?
We can lead, co-lead, or follow. We are flexible based on what is right for the round and the founder.
Do you take board seats?
At the pre-seed and seed stage, no. We prefer to be helpful as a partner without adding board overhead this early.
Are there any fees?
No management fees, no advisory fees. We make money the same way you do, when the company succeeds.
Process
How do I pitch?
Submit your pitch via our pitch page. Send your deck (PDF, max 15 MB), a brief about what you are building, and how to reach you. We read every submission.
How long does the process take?
Typically a couple of conversations across 1 to 2 weeks. From the day we say yes, the wire usually lands within a week thanks to our standard convertible note.
What happens after I submit my pitch?
We read every pitch. If it is a fit for what we back, we will reach out to schedule a call. Either way, you will get a response.
Do I need a warm intro?
No. A cold submission is just as welcome as a warm intro. Good ideas do not care how they reached us.
Eligibility
Do you only invest in Indian founders?
We are India-first. We back founders building from India, with India in the team or the ambition, even when the market is global.
Do you have sector preferences?
We are sector-agnostic at this stage. We have looked at SaaS, consumer, fintech, deep tech, and more. What matters is the founder and the wedge.
What if my company is incorporated outside India?
That's fine. We have worked with Delaware C-Corps, Singapore Pte Ltds, India Pvt Ltds, and various structures in between.
Beyond capital
What does the BrainTrust do?
On investing, we typically form a private WhatsApp group with our team, the venture partners who backed you, and your founding team. Ping us anytime for product, legal, tech, marketing, or fundraising. Usually we have the answer or know someone who has solved exactly what you are facing.
What partner credits do you offer?
Access credits across 50+ products and services like AWS, Freshworks, Notion, Zoho, PR agencies, and laptop rentals. The list keeps growing.
Will you help with the next round?
Yes. When you are ready, we connect and prep you for meetings with VCs in India and abroad to lead your first institutional round.
Still have questions?
Drop us a quick note about what you're building and we'll get back as soon as we can.
Pitch us →