The MINDS program is supported by a team of world class Mentor Investors who have spent years in the startup ecosystem as CXOs, Founders, Advisors, Angel Investors.
Mentor Investors have run Acceleration/ Incubation programs, individually sat through hundreds of startup pitches and contributed significantly to the budding startup ecosystem in India and abroad.
Our Mentor Investors are spread across the globe and can diagnose root causes of specific challenges faced by the startup and suggest multiple paths to solve those challenges taking advantage of the diverse MINDS around.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is MINDS?
MINDS is an acronym for MENTOR INVESTOR NETWORK for DISRUPTIVE STARTUPS which is a network of experienced Investors and Mentors. We do not select or reject a startup based on a short-pitch, but work with the founders to help them build solid business ventures and eventually invest in them.
2. What is MINDS Program?
MINDS Program is a Two-staged startup Development & Funding Program. Potential investors, experienced mentors, and Industry experts from different areas work closely with the Entrepreneurs to strengthen the business fundamentals of the startup. We make the startup more investment worthy and attractive for investors and provide funding opportunities. The program has regular pitching events where both external and internal MINDS investors participate. It is a virtual program.
3. What are the two stages of the MINDS program?
The two stages are MINDS Base Camp and MINDS Champions. Both are separate with different T&Cs. Candidates for the first stage, i.e., the MINDS Base Camp are selected through the applications open to the world.
Those candidates who graduate from the MINDS Base Camp become eligible to join the MINDS Champions.
4. What do MINDS Base Camp & Champions stages involve?
In MINDS Base Camp Startups are trained to use and apply unique MINDS frameworks and methodologies to improve their Business fundamentals and enhance investment worthiness. Mentor Investors guide founders specifically with respect to their projects through exercises, doubt clearing sessions, reviews and mock pitches.
As startups ripen and their Business Proposals become more ready in terms of fundability (as per MINDS's assessments) they become eligible to join the MINDS Champions stage. In MINDS Champions, the founders get a one-to-one mentor to further work on various specific aspects of the Business so as to fully prepare the Startup for funding.
5. Any other differences between MINDS Base Camp and Champions?
In MINDS Base camp, the startups move at their own pace, whatever suits them best. Mentorship, doubts sessions, reviews, etc are common.
In MINDS Champions, the more ripened startups go through a much more rigorous work pace controlled as per Sarthy schedules so as to quickly take them to the desired levels of fundability, and initiate funding opportunities for them.
6. Who is Eligible for MINDS Base Camp
Typically early-stage startups with MVPs or POCs or some revenues. However, in special cases, depending on the idea, domain, etc. others can also be considered.
7. How does Sarthy help in Funding?
Usually accelerator/incubator/ Fund brokers only work to give the startup pitching opportunities or access to some investors. MINDS is the only program that works closely with the startups and handholds them to enhance their business proposal & fundability based on feedback from strategy experts, industry professionals, and investors themselves.
As the readiness of the startup improves we then provide them with multiple pitching/ funding opportunities with both Sarthy Angels as well as external investors. After pitching, if investors suggest some areas of improvement and gaps, our program may continue to work with startups to further improve upon those areas.
A Startup can expect to get funding of upto ₹3 crore+ from Sarthy Angels and partner Investors (including Mentor Investment).
8. What are the fees for MINDS Program?
For MINDS Base Camp we require the Startups to spend a minimum of 5 weeks (around 4 hours per week) in which one cycle of the program is typically completed. The fee for 5 weeks of participation is ₹25,000/- only (all inclusive). However, startups that need more time to prepare and wish to go at a more comfortable pace can stay up to additional 6 months.
9. Are there any other charges?
For Champion Startups, we support to raise funding from Sarthy Angels, other Investors. We charge a small equity fee and success fee for the same. Details are provided when Startup qualifies for Champions stage.
Any other queries?
Please contact us at the email given below. We typically respond in less than 24 hours.
