How To
How To Raise Capital For Your Startup
Most of us often think a revolutionary idea is all you need to set up a business. Yes, a great idea is definitely the heart of your business, but funds are its backbone. Most startups fail within months after their inception due to lack of proper funds. Raising capital to build your business is a huge challenge, especially if you are a first timer. We are here to help you with just that. Keep reading to find out some ways in which you can fund your business.
How to raise capital for your startup
1) Self funding
This is the most obvious way to fund your business. If you are a first time entrepreneur, you may have a tough time trying to find potential investors. Therefore, you can consider funding your business from your own savings or ask your friends and family to contribute. This process of funding your own business is called bootstrapping. Bootstrapping should always be considered as the first option for funding your business. However, this is suitable only if the initial requirement is small.
2) Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a millennial way to fund your startup. How does crowdfunding work? An aspiring entrepreneur puts up a complete description of his/her business, like the business plan, the vision, what he aims to achieve and how much funding he needs, on a crowdfunding platform. Users of this platform will read about the business and pledge an amount of their choice, if they like the idea. Here, anyone can contribute to your business. Apart from providing financial help, a crowdfunding platform can also help in marketing your products or services. Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe, RocketHub and CircleUp are some of the most popular crowdfunding platforms in the world. In India, Faircent, Ketto and Wishberry are some of the most famous ones.
3) Venture capitalists
Venture capitalists (VCs) are professionals who invest in startups and companies which have huge potential. VCs usually invest in a business against equity, which is the difference between the value of assets and the value of liabilities. They exit the business when there is an acquisition or an IPO (Initial Public Offering.) Venture capitalists are not easy to impress, especially if you are new to entrepreneurship. They even come with their fair share of disadvantages. Though a VC invests in your business, they often expect a recovery within 3 to 5 years. This is suitable for businesses which have crossed the startup stage and are already bringing in revenue. Some popular venture capitalists in India are Blume Ventures and Nexus Venture Partners. Index Ventures and Accel Ventures are venture capitalists which made their mark across the globe.
4) Angel investors
Angel investors are people who have a huge amount of cash and a keen interest to invest in a potential business. Sometimes, a group of investors come together to scrutinize and invest in a potential business. Apart from finance, angel investors can also provide advice as mentors. They are even willing to take higher risks for better returns. Angel investors are the people responsible for the establishment of several big names in the world, including Google and Alibaba. One drawback of angel investors is, they give far less capital compared to venture capitalists.
5) Participate in competitions
In recent times, several competitions are being held, where the winner gets capital for his/her business. All you have to do is present your business idea or module to a jury and if you win, you get the required capital to start your business. This, however, is not easy as the competition is going to be very high and your idea has to really stand out from the rest to be able to attract investors.
6) Get help from business incubators and accelerators
Business incubators and accelerators have become immensely popular recently and they are found in almost every major city across the globe. Business incubators produce several successful entrepreneurs every year. They usually have a program for 4-12 months, during which, they nurture, train, evaluate and fund your business idea. Accelerators, on the other hand, help an already established business grow or take a huge leap. StartupVillage, T-Hub, TechnoPark TBI and GSF Accelerator are some examples of business incubators and accelerators.
7) Bank loans
A bank is probably the most convenient place to get funds for your business. Almost every bank in India provides business loans against some sort of security. Bank loans for businesses are of two types—working capital loans and funding. Working capital loans are designed to traverse one full cycle of revenue generation. Funding, on the other hand, is the process of sharing your business plan and your business valuation to get the required funds.
An added advantage with bank loans is, you will not have the pressure of an investor depending on your business.
8) Government schemes
Governments these days are keen on encouraging entrepreneurs. There are several plans and schemes which are made available by the Government to fund your business. In India, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and the Startup India Scheme are some initiatives. The Startup India Scheme, which was started in 2016, is known to have created thousands of entrepreneurs in India.
These are some of the several ways in which you can fund your business. Before approaching any investor, it is suggested you do full fledged research about each of these options and also get an idea about various market scenarios. After that, choose a plan which is suitable for you and your business type. If you have a professional network, which we recommend you do, discuss the various options with them and then take a decision.
Do you know of any other ways to fund a startup? Comment below and let us know.
WhatsApp has rolled out a new “Member Tags” feature designed to make group management simpler and more organized. The update allows users to add short text labels next to their names in group chats such as Admin, Manager, Designer, or Coordinator helping others instantly identify roles and responsibilities. This feature is especially useful for large communities, workplaces, and project-based groups where multiple participants collaborate regularly.
With WhatsApp Member Tags, group members can customize labels that appear beside their names and within the participants list, providing better clarity during group conversations. The introduction of tags aims to cut down confusion in busy chats, making it easier to know who handles what. The feature is already rolling out for iOS users and is expected to reach Android devices soon as part of WhatsApp’s gradual global rollout. Users can add tags by simply going to the group info section, tapping their own name, and selecting “Add Member Tag.”
This update also benefits brands, creators, and businesses that rely on WhatsApp for communication and engagement. From marking support staff with titles like “Customer Support” or “Sales” to identifying moderators and event organizers in community groups, the feature brings a layer of professionalism to WhatsApp’s familiar interface. By enhancing group communication dynamics, the Member Tags feature strengthens WhatsApp’s position as one of the most efficient and business-friendly messaging platforms available today.
Google has introduced a new AI-powered feature for its Files by Google app, allowing users to easily interact with PDF documents. The “Ask about this PDF” feature, powered by Gemini, enables users to ask questions about the document’s content directly within the app.
How it Works
Access
The feature is available in the updated Files by Google app (version 16.0.5 and above). Users can download the latest version from the Google Play Store to access this functionality.
Functionality
Users can simply tap the “Ask about this PDF” button while viewing a document. This prompts the app to allow users to ask questions regarding the PDF content, such as:
- Summaries of sections
- Clarifications on specific paragraphs
- Details about tables and charts
AI Interaction
The app leverages the power of Gemini AI to provide accurate and informative answers based on the content of the PDF. This interaction enhances user engagement by making it easier to extract relevant information without manually scrolling through lengthy documents.
User-Friendly Experience
AI-generated responses are displayed as an overlay, enabling users to view both the original PDF and the AI-generated answers simultaneously. This feature streamlines the process of obtaining information from PDFs, making it particularly useful for students and professionals who frequently work with such documents.
Availability
Gemini Advanced Required
The “Ask about this PDF” feature is currently exclusive to users of Gemini Advanced, a subscription service that provides enhanced capabilities of Google’s AI tools.
Limited to Files by Google
At present, this feature is available only within the Files by Google app. However, there are expectations that similar functionalities may be integrated into other Google applications in the future, such as Google Drive.
Future Outlook
This new feature demonstrates Google’s commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into its products and services. By enhancing the user experience with innovative tools like “Ask about this PDF,” Google aims to improve productivity and accessibility for its users.
Expansion Plans
Given the positive reception of this feature, it is likely that Google will explore expanding Gemini’s capabilities across other platforms and applications, potentially offering similar functionalities for various document types and formats.
Conclusion
Google’s introduction of the “Ask about this PDF” feature in its Files by Google app marks a significant advancement in how users interact with digital documents. By leveraging Gemini AI, Google is not only enhancing productivity but also making information retrieval more efficient and user-friendly. As AI continues to evolve, features like these are expected to play a crucial role in transforming digital workflows across various sectors.
WhatsApp is revolutionizing how users handle voice messages with the introduction of its new Voice Note Transcription feature. Designed to cater to diverse user needs, this update ensures that you never miss out on voice messages, even in situations where listening isn’t an option—be it a noisy environment, an important meeting, or simply when audio isn’t convenient.
What Is Voice Note Transcription?
The Voice Note Transcription feature converts voice messages into text, allowing users to read the content instead of listening. This thoughtful solution addresses scenarios where audio playback may not be practical. With this addition, WhatsApp enhances communication efficiency, helping users stay connected regardless of their circumstances.
How Does It Work?
Using the transcription feature is straightforward:
- Enable the Feature: Navigate to Settings > Chats > Voice Message Transcripts to enable or disable the feature and select your preferred transcription language.
- Transcribing a Voice Note: Once activated, long-press the voice message you’ve received and tap ‘Transcribe’. The app will instantly generate a text version of the audio message for you to read at your convenience.
This process is handled entirely on your device, ensuring that the voice messages remain private. Neither WhatsApp nor external servers have access to the content, maintaining the platform’s commitment to privacy.
Privacy and Security
In line with WhatsApp’s dedication to user security, the transcription process is executed locally on the device. This ensures that your voice messages are never sent to external servers, and even WhatsApp itself cannot access them. By integrating this feature while preserving its robust end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp continues to prioritize user trust.
Key Privacy Features
- Local Processing: Transcripts are generated entirely on-device, ensuring that no one else—not even WhatsApp—can access your personal messages.
- End-to-End Encryption: The feature maintains WhatsApp’s strong privacy standards, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access their voice messages.
Global Rollout and Language Support
The Voice Note Transcription feature is rolling out globally over the coming weeks. Initially, it supports selected languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hindi. WhatsApp has confirmed plans to expand its language offerings soon, ensuring wider accessibility for users worldwide.
Why This Feature is a Game-Changer
This new addition addresses a common pain point for WhatsApp users: handling voice messages when audio playback isn’t feasible. Whether you’re in a crowded space, attending a quiet event, or dealing with a lengthy voice note, the transcription feature provides a convenient alternative.
Benefits of Voice Note Transcription
- Multitasking Convenience: Users can skim through voice messages while juggling other responsibilities without needing headphones.
- Accessibility Improvement: The feature enhances accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments or those who prefer text-based communication over audio.
- Enhanced Communication: Merging the personal touch of voice communication with the convenience of text allows for more flexible interactions.
Conclusion
By introducing the Voice Note Transcription feature, WhatsApp continues to innovate and enhance its platform. This tool exemplifies how technology can adapt to diverse user needs while maintaining security and privacy. Keep an eye on your app settings—this feature is rolling out soon and is set to make staying connected easier than ever. As WhatsApp expands its capabilities, users can look forward to a more personalized and efficient messaging experience that caters to their evolving communication preferences.
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