Start-Ups – Tofler https://www.tofler.in/blog Business Intelligence Platform Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:15:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.2 146194631 Beauty, Business, and Breakthroughs: The Journey of Naykaa to Success https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-start-up-financials-reports-revenue-loss/journey-of-naykaa-to-success/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:09:20 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=6170

Nykaa is a leading e-commerce and beauty retail platform that has become a household name in India. The company was founded by Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker, in 2012. Nykaa became the leading e-commerce and beauty retail platform within just 4 years. Nykaa currently boasts of having over 17 million monthly active users and processes 1.5+ mn orders.

Nykaa’s story is a case study in innovation, leveraging its 360 degrees in marketing strategy. In the beauty and cosmetic industry of over 1.3 lakh+ products and 1500+ brands, clutter is hard to break. Getting noticed and creating a profitable beauty brand is often years of time, money, and investment. Nykaa’s marketing strategy is unique as it has created an ecosystem of content, commerce, and community.

FounderFalguni Nayar
Founded2012
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Websitenykaa.com

History of Naykaa

Falguni Nayar founded Nykaa in the year 2012. She was a former Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Capital Company. Nykaa was launched as an eCommerce portal curating a range of beauty and wellness products. The brand name Nykaa is derived from the Sanskrit word nayaka, meaning ‘one in the spotlight.

Nayar founded Nykaa with limited knowledge of beauty products, retail industry, and technology, with just 3 employees. The company started in 2012, and has received around 60 orders in its initial days. In 2015, the company expanded from online-only to an omnichannel model and began selling fashion products. Nykaa became the leading e-commerce and beauty retail platform within just 4 years. Nykaa currently boasts of having over 17 million monthly active users and processes 1.5+ mn orders.

How did Naykaa become so successful?

Nykaa’s marketing strategy is unique as it has created an ecosystem of content, commerce, and community. Digital marketing is the foundation of Nykaa’s marketing strategy. Nykaa’s primary strategy for pitching customers is a digital marketing strategy. The brand concentrates its marketing efforts in tier 1 cities and targets customers in tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 cities. One of the most important aspects of Nykaa’s marketing strategy is their focus on product quality. They invest heavily in research and brand development to ensure that their products are sourced at the best they can be. This commitment to quality has helped them build a strong reputation amongst consumers and industry experts.

Naykaa’s Business & revenue model

Nykaa’s business model is based on the online and offline sale of beauty and wellness products. Nykaa has a wide range of products from various brands and also has its own private label products which are sold exclusively on its platform. The company has also launched its own loyalty program called Nykaa Rewards which offers customers points for every purchase made on the platform. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.

Nykaa’s revenue model is based on the commission it earns from the sales of beauty and wellness products. Nykaa has a wide range of products from various brands and earns a commission on every sale made through its platform. Nykaa also has its own private-label products which are sold exclusively on its platform. The company has also launched its own loyalty program called Nykaa Rewards which offers customers points for every purchase made on the platform. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.

Strategies that helped Naykaa stand out from the crowd

Nykaa’s marketing strategy is based on the online and offline sale of beauty and wellness products. Here are a few of the strategies that helped Naykaa to stand out of the crowd in the competitive e-commerce beauty & retail sector:

  1. Nykaa has a wide range of products from various brands and also has its own private-label products which are sold exclusively on its platform.
  2. The company has also launched its own loyalty program called Nykaa Rewards which offers customers points for every purchase made on the platform. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.
  3. Nykaa’s marketing strategy is focused on product quality, research, and brand development to ensure that its products are sourced at the best they can be. This commitment to quality has helped them build a strong reputation amongst consumers and industry experts.
  4. Nykaa’s primary strategy for pitching customers is a digital marketing strategy. The brand concentrates its marketing efforts in tier 1 cities and targets customers in tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 cities. Nykaa also uses influencer marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, and offers and discounts to attract customers.
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Licious: How Two Friends Cooked Up a Billion-Dollar Meat Brand https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-company-basics/licious-how-two-friends-cooked-up-a-billion-dollar-meat-brand/ Mon, 22 May 2023 11:59:47 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=6065

Licious is a Bengaluru-based company that delivers fresh meat and seafood to customers across India. Founded in 2015 by Vivek Gupta and Abhay Hanjura, Licious operates on a farm-to-fork model, owning the entire back-end supply chain and the cold chain. Licious aims to provide a hygienic, convenient, and quality alternative to the unorganized and unpleasant meat market in India. In this blog post, we will explore how Licious has grown from a small startup to a unicorn company with over $488 million in funding and a presence in 15 cities. We will also look at the challenges, opportunities and future plans of Licious as it strives to become the one-stop platform for fresh meat and seafood lovers in India.

FoundersVivek Gupta and Abhay Hanjura
FoundedSeptember 2015
HeadquartersBangalore
Websitelicious.com

Licious officially operates as Delightful Gourmet Private Limited, it is the prominent direct-to-consumer meat and seafood brand, has recently etched its name in Indian business history as the country’s first unicorn company in the D2C segment for the year 2021. This remarkable feat not only solidifies Licious’ standing but also highlights its exceptional growth and potential. On October 5, 2021, the long-awaited moment arrived when Licious officially entered the elite unicorn club, securing its position as the 29th unicorn in India.

Operating RevenueOver INR 500 cr
EBITDA -127.50 %
Networth 777.61 %
Return on Equity-98.11 %
Total Assets 480.77 %
  

Buy the full financial report of Licious

Licious’ ascent to unicorn status is a testament to the brand’s unwavering dedication, innovative approach, and remarkable achievements within the direct-to-consumer industry. By achieving this milestone, Licious has set a new standard for aspiring D2C companies in India, serving as an inspiration for others to strive for excellence.

The story behind start of Licious

Licious was born out of the frustration and dissatisfaction of two meat lovers who could not find good quality and hygienic meat in the Indian market. Vivek Gupta and Abhay Hanjura, both from non-vegetarian families, were working in different sectors when they decided to quit their jobs and start Licious in 2015.

They wanted to create a brand that would offer fresh, clean and safe meat and seafood to customers who value quality and convenience. They also wanted to disrupt the unorganized and unpleasant meat market in India, which was dominated by local butchers and vendors with poor hygiene standards and inconsistent supply.

They started with a small team of 10 people and a delivery center in Bengaluru, where they sourced meat from local farms and processed it in their own facility. They launched their website and app, where customers could order meat and seafood online and get it delivered within 120 minutes.

How Licious achieved unicorn status from a startup?

Licious has achieved remarkable growth in the last six years by leveraging its unique farm-to-fork model, its focus on quality and hygiene, its customer-centric approach and its product innovation. Licious has expanded its presence from one city (Bengaluru) in 2015 to 15 cities across India by 2021, serving over 2 million orders per month.

Licious has also diversified its product portfolio from fresh meat and seafood to ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products, such as marinated meats, kebabs, spreads, soups and pickles. Licious has also launched UnCrave, a plant-based meat brand, to cater to the growing demand for alternative proteins.

Licious has raised over $488 million in funding from various investors, including Temasek, IIFL AMC, Mayfield India, Bertelsmann India Investments and Vertex Ventures. In October 2021, Licious became India’s first direct-to-consumer unicorn with a valuation of over $1 billion. Licious aims to become the one-stop platform for fresh meat and seafood lovers in India and beyond.

Diversified Revenue Streams: Licious derives a significant portion of its revenue from the sale of meat products, seafood, marinades, and eggs. These delectable offerings have captivated the taste buds of customers, contributing substantially to the company’s overall income. Additionally, Licious generates revenue through efficient product delivery and various related services, further strengthening its financial position.

Expanding Customer Base: Over the years, Licious has garnered an impressive following, with more than 1 million unique customers to date. This substantial customer base is a testament to the brand’s reputation for delivering quality products and exceptional service. Customers trust Licious to meet their meat and seafood requirements, consistently relying on the company for a satisfying culinary experience.

Average Basket Size and Revenue Milestones: Licious boasts an average basket size of INR 700, highlighting customers’ preference for multiple items in a single purchase. This not only demonstrates the diverse range of offerings available but also signifies the brand’s ability to cater to a wide variety of culinary preferences.

In its initial year, Licious achieved a commendable revenue of INR 1.47 crores, reflecting the company’s rapid growth and market acceptance. Building on this early success, Licious witnessed a substantial increase in revenue in FY2019-20, with a remarkable collection of INR 131.8 crore. These impressive financial achievements underscore the brand’s ability to capitalize on market opportunities and satisfy customer demands.

Licious’ recognition as India’s first direct-to-consumer unicorn in 2021 is an extraordinary accomplishment for the brand and the industry as a whole. As the 29th unicorn of the country, Licious’ journey to success has been one of relentless determination and vision. By attaining this coveted status, Licious has firmly established itself as a leader in the D2C space, and its achievement serves as a beacon of hope for emerging companies seeking to make their mark.

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Shaadi.com: Inspiring Tale of Matchmaking Success https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-company-basics/shaadi-com-inspiring-tale-of-matchmaking-success/ Mon, 22 May 2023 11:52:35 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=6061

Finding a life partner is one of the most important and personal decisions that one can make. But it is not always easy to find the right match in today’s fast-paced and complex world. That’s where shaadi.com comes in. Shaadi.com is a social networking site that specializes in matchmaking and matrimony. In this blog, we will take a look at how shaadi.com started, how it works, and what makes it so successful.

Founded1996
FounderAnupam Mittal
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Websiteshaadi.com

Shaadi.com is not just a website, it is a phenomenon that has transformed the way people approach marriage in India and beyond. With over 35 million users and 5 million success stories, shaadi.com has become the most trusted and preferred platform for finding a life partner.

Shaadi.com is the flagship brand of People Interactive (I) Pvt Ltd. People Interactive was founded in 1997 to help architect India’s Internet landscape. Today it is one of India’s leading Internet companies and boasts of brands such as Shaadi.com, Shaadi Centre, Shaadilive, ShaadiTimes, Fropper.com, Makaan.com and Astrolife.com.

A Moment of Innovation: While seated in his father’s office, Anupam Mittal came across a traditional matchmaker discussing the idea of finding a match for him. Initially seeking ways to politely decline the matchmaker’s proposal, Mittal had a sudden realization – why not digitize the entire matchmaking process, eliminating its inherent inefficiencies? This epiphany sparked the idea that would change the course of matchmaking forever.

The Birth of Sagaai.com: In 1997, Anupam Mittal took his first step towards revolutionizing matchmaking by launching Sagaai.com. This experimental platform aimed to streamline the engagement process, offering a digital alternative to traditional matchmaking methods. Recognizing the need for a more universally understood name, the platform was rebranded as Shaadi.com in 1999, marking the beginning of a new era in the industry.

By 2001, Anupam Mittal made a life-altering decision. He left his job in the United States and returned to India, redirecting all his attention and efforts toward Shaadi.com. This pivotal move allowed him to fully immerse himself in the platform, attending to its requirements and nurturing its growth.

Founder & key people of Shaadi.com

With a vision to enhance the matchmaking process and broaden the horizons of potential life partners, Anupam Mittal embarked on a remarkable journey by founding Shaadi.com. This globally renowned platform has transformed the lives of millions of individuals, offering an unparalleled matching experience. In this article, we explore the inspiring story of Anupam Mittal and his dedicated team, who have successfully revolutionized the way people find their life partners.

Gourav Rakshit: He is the COO of shaadi.com. He joined shaadi.com in 2009 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and is responsible for leading the growth strategy, product development, analytics and customer service for Shaadi.com.

Aditya Save: He is the CMO of shaadi.com. He joined shaadi.com in 2015 as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and is responsible for driving the company’s brand strategy, marketing communication, consumer insights and media planning for Shaadi.com.

Siddharth Sharma: He is the CTO of shaadi.com. He joined shaadi.com in 2016 as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and is responsible for driving technology innovation, engineering excellence and product delivery for Shaadi.com.

Strategies behind shaadi.com success:

Shaadi.com, a pioneer in the online matrimonial industry, shattered barriers and stereotypes to revolutionize the way people find life partners. The company endorsed Chetan Bhagat to promote the brand name. Here are the key strategies that propelled Shaadi.com to overcome industry challenges.

  1. Trust and Safety: Shaadi.com prioritized user safety with robust verification processes, establishing trust among members and ensuring authentic profiles for secure connections.
  2. Cultural Inclusivity: Recognizing the importance of diverse backgrounds, Shaadi.com facilitated intercultural connections, challenging stereotypes associated with traditional matchmaking practices.
  3. Technological Advancements: By embracing emerging technologies, Shaadi.com enhanced the user experience, offering advanced search algorithms, personalized recommendations, and interactive features.
  4. Success Stories: Promoting real-life success stories, Shaadi.com countered negative stereotypes, showcasing the platform’s positive impact and inspiring others to explore its possibilities. Campaigns like “Say No to Child Marriage”, “#FastForHer” were some of the very successful campaigns.
  5. User Empowerment: Shaadi.com empowered users with comprehensive tools, such as detailed profiles, compatibility tests, and personalized assistance, dispelling misconceptions about online matchmaking.

The marketing strategies that helped Shaadi.com

has undertaken various initiatives to expand its customer base, entertain users, and create awareness in society. This article explores the diverse endeavors undertaken by Shaadi.com, from opening centers across Indian cities to launching engaging campaigns that address social issues and promote love.

Expanding Reach and User Engagement: Shaadi.com established 123 centers across 72 Indian cities, with plans for further expansion to 250, enhancing accessibility and localized assistance for users.

Creating Awareness and Addressing Social Issues: Shaadi.com introduced a ‘Dowry calculator’ highlighting the social evil of dowry, receiving appreciation from over 35 countries. The game ‘Angry Brides’ raised awareness about dowry culture and child marriage, garnering significant media attention and global appreciation.

Addressing Gender Inequality and Encouraging Dialogue: Through social media platforms, Shaadi.com initiated discussions on gender inequalities, sparking a massive response with over 1,872,272 people pledging their support. The campaign’s hashtag #fastforher trended with 78 million impressions, fostering engagement on Facebook and Twitter.

Celebrating Love and Sharing Success Stories: Shaadi.com’s Valentine’s Day campaign, #WoEkBaat, showcased the platform as a promoter of love, sharing around 6 million success stories. Influencer couples on Instagram played a significant role in driving this campaign.

Acquisition & Investors:

Shaadi.com has acquired other startups to enhance its offerings and capabilities. Shaadi.com has acquired Frivil, a dating app that uses gamification to match users based on their popularity and attractiveness. Shaadi.com has also acquired Thrill Group, a startup that included two dating products, Frivil and Fropper, founded by expat entrepreneurs Josh Israel and Devin Serago.

Shaadi.com has 2 investors who have supported its growth and expansion. They are:

  • Sequoia Capital India has a board seat in shaadi.com , provides strategic guidance and mentorship to the shaadi.com team, and helps shaadi.com with networking and access to other potential partners and investors.
  • InnoVen Capital provides debt capital to shaadi.com to help it with working capital needs, growth initiatives, acquisitions, etc and also helps shaadi.com with financial management and risk mitigation.

Shaadi.com is a success story that has inspired millions of people to believe in love and marriage. It has created a platform that connects people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries who share a common goal of finding their life partner. Shaadi.com has also been a catalyst for social change by challenging the norms and stereotypes of the traditional matchmaking industry.

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Crucial tips for businesses to boost company growth https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/crucial-tips-for-businesses-to-boost-company-growth/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 09:37:49 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4436 Starting a business requires analytical thinking, determined organization, and detailed record-keeping. And to succeed in business, you need to be flexible and have full proof, well thought and long-term goals. They’ll help your business to focus on both small and major tasks throughout each year, which can increase productivity.

You can help your business ventures by taking your time and planning out all the necessary steps you need to achieve success with help of the below tips:

Understand Your Target Market

Understanding this can give you a strong base to work with. Gather survey data on your market interests; this can help you create customized products that better solve consumers’ problems and fit their needs. Use analytics tools to see and re-work strategies to reach your goals.

Get Organized

Getting organized is the key mantra to achieving business success. A good way to be organized is to create a to-do list each day. This will help you priorities things & ensure that you are completing all the tasks that are essential to the survival of your business.

Keep Networking

Networking can be the backbone of your business. It is also useful for gaining tips, learning new techniques, and providing better support. If you can develop a strong follower base and good connections, these people can be key assets to spreading the word about your products or services.

Identify a Value Proposition

Setting up your value proposition is also important for engaging investors in your business. It helps investors to realize how your product is relevant & fits into the lives of customers. They will also understand how long your product/service will be used by your target audience. This will also enable you to foresee the upcoming hurdles & solve long-term problems.

Learn to Adapt

The world of business is constantly changing. As a business, you’ll need to develop a plan for how you can adapt to the constantly changing world. You will need a system in place to respond to change when the need arises rather than following a pre-defined longer-term plan. ]]> 4436 Top tips to leverage social media to grow your business https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/top-tips-to-leverage-social-media-to-grow-your-business/ Tue, 07 Jun 2022 08:04:59 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4430

In today’s digital world when everything is just a click away, social media platforms have become the most essential method to connect with your customers and to market or advertise your business.

 

Approximately three billion people worldwide are using social media platforms every day and more than a million are logging onto their social media accounts every month. Use of social media for your brand promotion might show you exponential growth in user count and engagement for your businesses.

 

Here are some great ways any business owner or marketer can increase their social media presence and help their business grow.

  

Know your audience: One of the main reasons social media is so effective is because you can micro-target your audience. You can start by seeing your current customers & create a picture of your target audience.

 

Decide your platform: Do some research on which platforms are prevalent with your target audience and demographics.

  

Share compelling visuals: We all are attracted to visual creatures. Share content that is relevant and catches attention.

 

Focus on providing value: Rather than bombarding your customers with your brand, focus on providing informative quality content and value for your consumers.

 

As technology continues to advance, so does the need and importance of digital or social media in your business. Utilize the power of digital media as a tool to accelerate the growth of your company.

 

 

Know the tips to run successful online lead generation ads; watch our exclusive interview with Anshuk Agarwal; Co-founder of AdYogi.

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Easy ways to manage cash flow for your business https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/easy-ways-to-manage-cash-flow-for-your-business/ Tue, 10 May 2022 07:47:04 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4410

The cash flow; it is basically the movement of cash and cash equivalents that come in and go out of a company. The cash flow statement measures how well a company manages its cash position, means; how well a company generates cash to pay its debt obligations and funds its operating expenses.  

Positive cash flow means your business is doing well & you can pay off your debts. Negative cash flow results mean; you need to find resources of income to be able to pay your debts.

The cash flow is different from the income statement & the balance sheet because it does not include the amount of future incoming and outgoing cash that has been recorded as expenses & revenuesHence, cash is not the same as net income, which includes cash sales as well as sales made on credit on the income statements.

It is necessary to organize your cash flow by dividing into categories that includes cash flows from operating activities, cash flows from financing activities and cash flows from investing activities. An organized cash flow will help you to figure out where your business stands. Below are a few of the simple yet powerful tips to organize cash flow of your company:

 

  • Identify your business risks & prepare in advance
  • Monitor cash flow regularly
  • Cut your costs, control cash outflows
  • Consider selling assets that you no more use
  • Create a separate bank account for your business
  • Get a business line of credit
  • Lease equipment instead of buying
  • Get paid faster using the latest technology such as mobile payment solutions
  • Speed up your payments offering deals.
  • Pay off debts before any crisis
  • Focus on cash flow in-spite of profit

 

Profits are meaningless without cash. Building and keeping an adequate amount of cash provides maximum flexibility & opportunity to any business. Businesses that do not exercise good cash management may not be able to make the investments needed to compete in market.

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Best ways for entrepreneurs to manage money https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/best-ways-for-entrepreneurs-to-manage-money/ Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:44:07 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4406 As an owner of a small business, you might have many challenges and among all, money management is one of the biggest sources of struggle. Managing your money effectively is essential because it is the key to business survival.

Improper money management can cause persistent issues that can ruin your business. But a proper money management plan will lead you to long-lasting success and a growing business.

Hence, we have compiled some of the money management techniques & best practices that you can use for effective money management for your startup:

Create budget and adjust accordingly

It is very important to create an organized budget for your company that is easy to understand & flexible. It ensures that you do not spend on unnecessary items or become bankrupt. It also saves you from rash decisions that can impact your whole financial position.

For budgeting, you can use simple tools or can go for software. Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is commonly used for recording and budgeting. Include the details of the costs, expenses and forecast revenue while budgeting.

Use free tools for running your business

As a beginner, always look for free resources. Do not spend your money on things that you could be used without spending money. Make efficient use of available resources and make your business profitable.

You can use social media platforms to advertise your business and reach out to the right people for free. Start virtually rather than having an office or place in the beginning.

Get your cash flow organized

Cash flow is the movement of money in and out of your business in terms of income and expenses. Organized cash flow will help you to figure out where your business stands. Negative cash flow results mean you need to find resources of income to be able to pay your debts.

To maintain your cash flow regularly, cut your costs or extra expenses, consider selling assets that you no more use, lease equipment instead of buying them and most importantly get paid faster using the latest technology such as mobile payment solutions.

Establish an emergency fund

In business, there is a certain amount that is set aside for the safety of the business called, the “Contingency fund”. Business owners can use this amount, in case of emergency.

Emergencies like earthquakes, floods, economic issues, or recently Covid19 impact the revenue of businesses & it becomes so tough to maintain the business. You can keep your emergency fund through:

Take stock of existing assets, draw up monthly commitments towards the funds, check your tax withholding, and liquid mutual funds can help you to keep your emergency funds.

Avoid extra expenses

Keep track of your spending habits and keep a close eye on them, know how much you earn and how much you spend. Save utility costs by using less electricity, and unplugging every unused electric device. Anything that isn’t very much in use, cancel them, cut them. Minimize the use of your credit card such as switch to cash-only option if possible.

Segregate the personal and business expenses

Tax is one of the significant reasons to keep your personal and business expenses separate. It is to take advantage of tax deductions. Get a business debit or credit card, apply for Employer Identification (EIN), pay yourself a salary from the business, keep track of everything especially the items used for business from personal life or vice versa.

Entrepreneurship is all about innovation, creating ideas, figuring out new ways to solve problems, networking, staying connected, and working in a changing society. It is only possible if you are well informed about the problems, latest technology, users, product market, and changing nature of business. ]]> 4406 Realistic Ways To Fund Your Startup https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/realistic-ways-to-fund-your-startup/ Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:14:59 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4401 A startup might require funding, especially when they grow larger and scale their operations. Financial investment is needed in a company for product development, manufacturing, expansion, sales and marketing, office spaces, or inventory.

As an entrepreneur, you must be clear about why you are raising funds. Founders should have a detailed financial and business plan before they approach investors.

Now, once you have made a plan & realized the need for fundraising, here are some of the different sources for raising funds for your startup:

Self-funding

It is considered to be the first funding option because of its advantages. With self-funding, you hold complete control over your business, but you have all the risk too. This is suitable if the requirement is small. Some businesses need money right from the first & for such businesses, self-funding may not be a good option.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a concept of collecting funds from a large number of investors via social networking sites and web-based platforms for majorly business purposes. Crowdfunders are not technically investors, because they don’t receive a share of ownership in the business and don’t expect a financial return on their money. In return, they get the product you plan to sell or other special perks, like meeting the business owner or getting their name in the credits. Crowdfunding is popular because of its low risk to business owners, and suitable option for those who want to produce creative works like documentaries, or physical products.

Angel investment

Angel investors are individuals with surplus cash who are interested in investing in new start-ups. The risk involved in these investments is more, as compared to loans offered by financial institutions. Angel investor also holds the ownership shares in exchange for money, they can also offer mentoring or advice alongside capital. Business owners can create an online profile and promote their business on the business investment network. If there are interested angels, they’ll invest. But, before you reach out to an angel investor, make sure you have a proper business plan ready.

Loans under government schemes

The government of India has launched various loan schemes aiming to benefit startups, SMEs, MSMEs. It also promotes the socio-economic growth of rural India, women entrepreneurs, educated youth, individuals from SC/ST category, Small Scale Industries (SSIs), people living in rural and urban areas, etc. Loan schemes like MUDRA loan scheme under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Start-up India, Stand-up India, Atal Innovation Mission, Make in India and many more schemes to help startup enterprises.

Loans from banks

Banks are also considered to be a suitable option for raising funds for startups. It is a reliable and convenient way of getting money for your business. Banks provide funding in two forms named term loans and working capital loans. Almost every public and private sector bank in India offers business loans for the startup. The rate of interest, loan amount, and structure of re-payment may vary from bank to bank.

Funding is required to take the best advantage of the existing and upcoming market opportunities. Even if you initially go for bootstrapping, outside funding might be required for your business to sustain itself in the remote future.

  ]]> 4401 Key traits of successful entrepreneurs https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/key-traits-of-successful-entrepreneurs/ Tue, 22 Mar 2022 07:33:34 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4395 Entrepreneurs discover opportunities throughout their personal and professional lives. Successful entrepreneurs have a sense of curiosity, they are optimistic and self motivated face new challenges and open to new ideas that allows them to continuously seek new opportunities.

There’s no single personality profile that describes every successful entrepreneur; however, a great number of common characteristics are shared by successful entrepreneurs. Here are a few of the characteristics:

Unwaving Passion: Do you remember the advice “love what you do”? Being an entrepreneur demands commitment & dedication. If you are mildly enthused about your product or service, you are not going to sustain. But, if you find something you love enough to want to share it with others, that love toward the product or service will fuel & give you purpose.

Open-Mindedness: Successful entrepreneurs tend to learn from others. They ask for advice, they are flexible. They absorb best practices around them. They are also effective listeners, resilient, and accepting of feedback from others.

Forward-Looking Approach: Having an established set of goals will keep you away from getting stuck. The routes to the goal may be constantly evolving, but they always have a clear picture of where they want to go, they are always thinking ahead.

Decisiveness: They make difficult decision and stand by them. As a leader, they’re responsible for guiding the trajectory of their business, including every aspect from funding and strategy to resource allocation. Being decisive doesn’t always mean having all the answers, but having the confidence to make challenging decisions and see them through.

Strategic Thinking, Innovation & Action: Having a successful project is great. But successful entrepreneurs don’t get settled; they are constantly thinking about “What is next?” They know that there is always scope of improvements and advancement in products & services to achieve success in drastically changing market.

Retain awareness of your strengths, weaknesses, and any potential sources of bias that may impact your thinking and decision-making. Conduct self-assessments and seek feedback from your team, and set improvement goals with measurable targets in areas where you have room to grow.

Accept that things can and will go wrong. This anticipation will help you respond in a thoughtful way that does not make a difficult situation even worse. ]]> 4395 Investment strategies to learn from Women https://www.tofler.in/blog/indian-companies-best-practices/investment-strategies-to-learn-from-women/ Tue, 08 Mar 2022 07:35:58 +0000 https://www.tofler.in/blog/?p=4390 Our society has been male-dominated so far, when it comes to financial matters! With more women joining the workforce today, the world is shifting towards gender equality even in the domain of investments.

A woman may take a slightly delayed decision to invest in equities compared to a man. But that’s because she goes through each & everything in detail, she examines the risks and other aspects very carefully. Several studies have shown; “When women invest, they tend to have a better average annual return from their investments than men,” Women naturally possess all qualities for success in investing; here is what you as an investor can learn from them:

  1. Be patient investors: Women generally develop a strategy to invest and stick to it, buying and holding for the long term, rather than buying and selling reactively, or day trading. This approach requires fewer trades and so incurs fewer transactional fees, which can lead to better returns over the time.
  2. Shoot for goals: Invest with a goal or objective in mind, it can help you form a proper strategy you believe in. Having more immediate goals in mind can help investors stay focused and stick to the plan.
  3. Balanced investing approach: Women generally aim for a more diversified investment approach. The more balanced, risk-averse approach helps to preserve their portfolios in volatile market.
  4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Women tend to seek out information before investing. It’s a process of drilling down and understanding why & what we are investing? Before we make a move to invest.

Women have a natural tendency of organizing the available resources in a way that the wastage is minimal and the benefits are maximized. They are not only expert in getting the job done cheaper but they also understand where to put the money for better growth.

Women tend to put emotional value to their money. So when they invest, the money is being invested in well researched asset for an already-identified goal. ]]> 4390