On 12th January 2026, the Swakiyam Centre for Incubation and Innovation organized an insightful guest session titled “Paise Ka Funda – Angel Investors and VCs”, aimed at demystifying the fundamentals of startup funding and investor expectations. The session was designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and incubatees with practical knowledge essential for navigating the early stages of venture growth.

The session was led by Mr. Suraj Doshi, Investment Lead at BeyondSeed, who brought valuable industry perspectives and real-world experience to the discussion. Through an engaging and structured approach, he explained how angel investors and venture capitalists operate, highlighting the key differences in their roles, risk appetite, and involvement across various stages of a startup’s journey.

A major focus of the session was the funding lifecycle from Pre-seed to Series A, offering participants a clear understanding of when and how startups should approach different types of investors. Mr. Doshi also provided a detailed overview of investor due diligence, covering critical aspects such as business models, market validation, financial clarity, team capability, and scalability. This deep dive helped participants appreciate what investors truly look for before committing capital, making the session highly relevant and application-oriented.

The highlight of the session was a Mock Investor Pitch Activity, which created an immersive learning experience for the incubatees. By stepping into the roles of both founders and investors, participants gained firsthand exposure to pitching dynamics, questioning strategies, and decision-making processes. This activity not only strengthened pitching confidence but also fostered a better understanding of investor mindset and evaluation criteria.

Overall, the guest session proved to be an engaging and enriching learning experience, aligning perfectly with Swakiyam Centre for Incubation and Innovation’s vision of nurturing entrepreneurial thinking. The session empowered participants with clarity, confidence, and actionable insights to approach funding milestones with a strategic and informed mindset.