ESV Times | Monthly Newsletter | August 2024

The entrepreneurial journey is filled with both excitement and challenges. At Ecosystem Ventures (ESV), we have consistently seen the importance of a strong support system for startups, especially in their early stages. As partners in your growth story, we understand that startups often face hurdles across various business functions—be it finance, marketing, technology, or strategic planning.

These challenges can significantly hinder the fundraising process. Early-stage startups often struggle to present themselves as investment-ready due to gaps in expertise and resources. Hiring experts for every function is neither practical nor feasible for most startups. However, accessing the right expertise can make all the difference in navigating these challenges.

At ESV, we bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, having evaluated over 3000 startups and successfully raised funds for numerous high-growth companies. Our deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, combined with our track record of nurturing businesses, makes us uniquely poised to be the first go-to partner for founders seeking comprehensive support. We offer not just advice but actionable solutions tailored to your specific needs.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Startup Growth Hub at ESV. This initiative is designed to offer expert guidance, mentorship, and hands-on support to startups, helping them overcome early-stage challenges and prepare for successful fundraising. Our goal is not just to assist in securing funds but to support the overall growth of your company, ensuring that you achieve your objectives and reach new heights.

We invite you to set up a conversation with Rahul Vaidya, our Chief Startup Evangelist, to learn more about how the Startup Growth Hub can be a valuable partner in your journey. Let’s work together to turn your vision into reality and build a thriving business.

Ecotone – Podcast of ESV

In this engaging conversation, Devashish takes us on his journey of creating GeoIQ, India’s pioneering location AI and intelligence platform. He and Harshit dive deep into the origins of the idea, the impact of COVID-19 and lockdowns, and the remarkable growth of the startup. Devashish also sheds light on their innovative business model, showcasing how they empower D2C companies to open offline stores using data-driven insights, including helping Lenskart launch over 1,000 stores. Additionally, Devashish shares valuable advice on selecting the right venture capital partners early in the business.

Watch the full video to uncover the secrets behind GeoIQ’s success and get inspired by Devashish’s entrepreneurial journey! Click now to explore!

Startup 101 – Resources for founders & startup teams

Sales Tracker 101

In early-stage startups, founder-driven sales are crucial. The founder’s vision and product knowledge uniquely position them to convey value propositions, fostering trust and driving initial deals. Yet, many such startups falter in winning sales due to inadequate lead management and sales review processes. It is essential for founders to set the right processes and systems to train their next rung of sales champions.

Without systematic tracking, opportunities slip through the cracks, and strategic insights remain unexplored. To bridge this gap, teams should adopt robust tools for oversight.

Three things are essential for an efficient sales funnel. Lead management should capture all of the sales leads through multiple sources at one place. Second, all the captured leads should be clearly marked to an individual to set account ownership. Third, a reporting cadence to be adhered to diligently for performance review and planning.

Before the startup matures and invests in a full-stack CRM or other sales tool, download our comprehensive sales tracker template, to enable lead flow, account management, and performance reporting for your startup’s sales team. Transform sales into a structured, scalable engine for growth.

Click Here

Deal of the Month

India’s most valuable sportstech venture

Machaxi, founded in 2022, is rapidly transforming the sports tech industry with its asset-light, tech-driven business model, achieving an ARR of ₹18 Cr. The company leases private sports centers for five years without incurring any CAPEX, rebrands them and upgrades facilities to best-in-class sports infrastructure. Their area dominance strategy, acquiring 6 out of 8 sports centers in a locality, creates significant entry barriers for new competitors.

With a repeat rate of over 70% for the Learn vertical and over 50% for the Play vertical, Machaxi significantly boosts existing sports center revenues by 1.5 to 2x. Training over 2,000 kids monthly, they have established themselves as leaders in Bangalore sports circles. Partnered with Olympian Nisha Millet, they have set new standards in sports training and facilities.

Their innovative app integrates Learn, Play, and Shop services, doubling the revenue of sports centers within six months, achieving an average monthly revenues of ₹10.5 lakh. Each center coaches over ~160 kids and facilitates ~2000 adult playing hours per month.

Sounds Interesting?? Click the button below to connect with our investment team

Net Present Value – Performance of ESV Portfolio Companies

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