India’s startup ecosystem crossed a historic milestone in 2025, with over 1,80,000 startups and nearly 22,000 new ventures launched this year alone. But as funding becomes more selective and markets grow tougher, not every exciting pitch translates into a sustainable business.
In this episode of Digital Dialogues, powered by CXO Digital Pulse, we sit down with Manas Pal, Founder of Pedal Start, to unpack how investors are rethinking risk, capital efficiency, founder mindset, and long-term sustainability in today’s evolving startup landscape.
Key topics covered in this conversation:
- How investors differentiate strong financial discipline vs. good storytelling?
- Capital efficiency and unit economics at early stages
- How risk evolves across different funding cycles?
- The role of founder motive, transparency, and conviction in fundraising
- Gut instinct vs. data-driven investing — what really influences decisions?
- Why many startups struggle with valuation and cap table mistakes?
- Funding myths around revenue, deep tech, and early-stage capital
- Practical advice for founders approaching angels, VCs, and institutions
- Why adaptability, feedback, and calm decision-making matter more than hype?
Whether you’re a founder, investor, or someone deeply interested in India’s startup journey, this episode offers grounded insights from real ecosystem experience, cutting through buzzwords to focus on what truly builds lasting businesses.
