The GSSS Technology Business Incubator Foundation (GSSSTBIF), Mysuru, in strategic collaboration with its knowledge partner, eCirkle Grassroot Foundation, successfully conducted a focused Investor Readiness & Pitch Day Workshop. Designed to empower early-stage startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, the workshop served as a comprehensive platform for demystifying investor expectations and enhancing fund-raising preparedness.

Held at the Seminar Hall, GSSSTBIF, GSSSIETW Campus, the event brought together domain experts, financial consultants, and angel network advisors to deliver actionable insights to startup founders and student innovators.

Highlights from the Program

1. Expert Masterclass by Santhosh Mahalingam

Mr. Santhosh Mahalingam, Co-Founder, eCirkle Grassroot Foundation, led a dynamic in-person session that explored:

• How to build compelling and investor-ready pitch decks
• Fundamentals of startup valuation and equity structuring
• Investor due diligence frameworks
• Strategies to build and sustain long-term investor relationships

2. Virtual Dialogue with Investor Community

A virtual investor panel added strategic depth to the program with the presence of:

• Mr. Ram Kevalur, Co-Co-Founder, eCirkle Grassroot Foundation
• Mr. Gurunandan Jayaram, Organization Manager, M.H.D Ventures
• Mr. Chandu Nair, Executive Committee Member, The Chennai Angels

These leaders addressed common misconceptions about funding, shared real-world insights on investor engagement, and encouraged founders to focus on transparency and vision clarity.

3. Financial Projection Clinic by Uttam Padival

Mr. Uttam Padival, Consultant, Padival & Associates, an experienced finance professional, guided participants through the essentials of financial planning, emphasizing how well-structured projections can positively influence investor confidence.

4. Participation & Ecosystem Impact

The event witnessed active participation from over 10 early-stage startups from Mysuru and surrounding districts. In addition, student innovators from engineering and business domains gained practical exposure to startup financing and pitching fundamentals.

The workshop created a collaborative learning environment that allowed founders to receive personalized feedback and align their growth narratives with real investor expectations.

5. Leadership Perspective

“This event reflects our sustained efforts to strengthen Mysuru’s startup ecosystem. The participation, energy, and curiosity we witnessed today affirm the need for such targeted interventions.”
— Smt. Anupama B and Dr. Jagannath Shenoy M, Directors, GSSSTBIF

6. Strategic Collaboration in Action

The workshop marks a significant milestone under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GSSSTBIF and eCirkle Grassroot Foundation, cementing a shared commitment to nurturing innovation at the grassroots level.

Dr. Hrishikesh A, CEO, DST-i-TBI-GSSSTBIF, reiterated that this program is the first in a curated series of events designed to:

• Enable deep investor-startup connections
• Provide hands-on domain-specific mentoring
• Build capacities around business modeling and go-to-market strategies