Real networking isn’t about handing out business cards or rapid-fire LinkedIn requests. It's about building meaningful connections — ones that go beyond transactions and last beyond the event.
Here are some guiding principles to help you navigate a room full of investors and founders with intention, authenticity, and impact.
1. Play the Long Game
Whether you’re a founder looking for capital or an investor scouting talent, focus on relationships, not quick wins. Ask yourself: “Would I want to work with this person 6 months from now?” That mindset shifts the dynamic from What can I get now? to What can we build together over time?
2. Be Curious, Not Just Interesting
Instead of crafting the perfect elevator pitch, focus on asking thoughtful questions. Investors appreciate founders who listen; founders respect investors who try to understand their journey. Curiosity builds trust — and trust opens doors.
3. Authenticity Wins
It's tempting to present a polished, hyper-confident version of yourself. But in a room full of noise, realness stands out. Share your motivations, your "why", even your struggles — without turning it into a pitch. Vulnerability (when done with intention) is magnetic. People remember stories, not stats.
4. Give Before You Ask
This is networking’s golden rule. Can you make an intro? Share an insight? Offer feedback? Adding value upfront, without expectation, positions you as a giver — and givers are remembered. Founders and investors alike appreciate people who think beyond themselves.
5. Read the Room (and the Timing)
Not every event is meant for deal-making. Some are for learning, others for celebrating wins, or just getting to know each other. Don’t force conversations toward an outcome. Be aware of context.
6. Follow Up Like a Pro
Meeting someone is just the start. The real magic happens in the follow-up. Send a short, thoughtful message referencing something specific from your conversation. Keep it simple. Be human. Most people don’t do this well — so when you do, you stand out.
7. Quality > Quantity
It’s not about how many people you meet. It’s about who you connect with, and how deeply. One strong connection can change your trajectory more than 10 surface-level ones. Be intentional about who you engage with, and don’t be afraid to spend extra time on a conversation that feels promising.
8. Be a Connector
Once you’ve built a network, use it. Introduce great people to each other. Founders to other founders. Investors to startups that aren't yours. Play matchmaker. That generosity compounds — and before you know it, people will seek you out not for your pitch, but for your perspective.
In Closing: Connection Over Conversion
In a world wired for speed, meaningful relationships are your edge. The goal isn’t to leave an event with a deal. It’s to leave with someone who’d pick up your call a year later.
Whether you’re fundraising, investing, or just learning — the art of networking isn’t about selling. It’s about connecting.
In a world where headlines chase unicorns and funding rounds go viral, MV Day is intentionally low-key. Just a room full of people who care about building real businesses, sharing real stories and paying it forward.
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Malpani Ventures is hosting a private evening in Mumbai that brings together frugal founders, patient capital and curious minds from the Indian startup ecosystem. We're calling it MV Day but it's really about something bigger.
Startups are lonely. Founders often walk paths filled with ambiguity, self-doubt, and delayed gratification. While podcasts, tweets and LinkedIn posts help, they rarely replace the magic of honest, face-to-face conversation.
At Malpani Ventures, we’ve always believed in more than just writing cheques. We back capital-efficient, purpose-led founders who build with long-term thinking. But our job doesn’t stop at investing. It extends into mentoring, challenging, and learning from those founders every day.
MV Day is our way of giving back.
To the people we’ve learned from.
To the ecosystem we’ve grown with.
And to the next wave of founders and operators we haven’t met yet.
The idea is simple: remove the noise, and make space for real stories.
Fireside Chat:
A candid, no-BS conversation between Mr. Sachin Gupta, Founder & CEO of IKS Health, and Dr. Aniruddha Malpani
Portfolio Glimpses:
We’ll also share what’s brewing across the Malpani Ventures portfolio
Food, Drinks & Good Conversations:
Some of the best ideas come from accidental conversations over a glass of wine or a shared laugh. No formalities. Just meaningful moments.
This isn’t just a celebration. It’s a call for collaboration.
In the long run, the Indian startup ecosystem will only thrive if we create spaces for trust, transparency, and knowledge-sharing. Founders shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel every time. Operators shouldn’t have to make the same mistakes in silence. Investors shouldn’t operate in echo chambers.
MV Day is our small attempt to break those silos - and build a better conversation.
If you resonate with this - whether you're a founder, an early-stage operator, a mentor or simply someone who believes in building with purpose - we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Apply for a wildcard invite here - we’ve saved a few spots for serendipity.
Let’s raise a glass to real builders.
See you at MV Day to celebrate frugal founders and knowledge sharing!
“Optics” isn’t just about appearances—it’s about crafting a perception of credibility, competence, and trustworthiness. For founders, strong optics can accelerate buy-in from investors, attract top talent, and win the confidence of early clients. But how do you set the right tone before onboarding, and then sustain it once the relationship is underway? This post walks through actionable, ethical strategies to manage optics at each stage.
I. Pre-Onboarding: Setting the Stage
Conclusion
Effective optics management is a continuous, authentic practice—from the very first outreach to day-to-day delivery. By aligning narrative, communication, and performance with genuine value, founders can build lasting confidence in their business.
Getting involved with startups—whether you’re investing money or building a company—can be exciting but also risky. Scammers often target both investors and founders, so it’s important to know the warning signs and best practices. In this blog, we’ll share easy-to-follow steps and checklists to help you spot and avoid scams, whether you’re putting in capital or growing your own business.
Avoiding Scams as an Investor
1. Conduct Comprehensive Due Diligence
2. Engage Your Network and Seek Expert Opinions
3. Look for Red Flags
4. Verify Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Draft Checklist for Investors
Avoiding Scams as a Founder
1. Validate Potential Investors and Partners
2. Protect Your Intellectual Property
3. Establish Clear Communication Protocols
4. Perform Basic Company Hygiene
Draft Checklist for Founders
Conclusion
Scams can happen to anyone—investors and founders alike. The best way to stay safe is to do your homework, talk to people you trust, and keep your processes clear and organized. Use the checklists above as a starting point for your own due diligence. As you gain experience and build relationships, you’ll become better at spotting red flags.
Most importantly, share your experiences—both wins and close calls—with others in the community. By talking openly about what you’ve learned, we can all strengthen the ecosystem and help each other grow.