Founders
- Create your accountYour name, startup name, email and mobile number.
- Build your profileProblem, solution, traction, team, funding ask, deck and video. Save drafts as you go.
- Get reviewedOur team checks it, usually within one working day, and emails you the outcome.
- Activate a plan and connectSend a short connection request to your best-matched investors — or to other founders.
- Chat once acceptedTalk privately, share more, and take it offline when you're ready.
Investors
- Create a free accountNo plan needed. Buy credits only when you want to send connection requests.
- Share your thesisSectors, stages, cheque size and what you look for in founders.
- Review matched startupsRanked by fit, with decks and pitch videos one click away.
- Accept or connectAccept founders who reach out, or connect with a startup or a fellow investor yourself.
- Keep a shortlistSave startups to follow up and keep every conversation in one place.
What keeps the network useful
Reviewed by people
Every profile is checked by our team before it appears. Incomplete or misleading profiles are sent back with notes.
Ranked matches
We score each founder–investor pair on sector, stage, cheque size and location, and show the strongest fits first.
Private by default
Phone numbers, emails and documents are never public. Decks and pitch videos are only for logged-in members.
Mutual consent
Conversations open only after one side accepts the other's connection request — no cold spam.
Verified badge
Founders who share registration documents with our team earn a Verified badge on their profile.
Fair for everyone
Joining is free. Whoever sends a connection request uses credits, and gets them back if it isn't answered. Founders also choose a plan that lists their startup.
Common questions
Who can join Idea to Start?
Founders of early-stage Indian startups and investors — angels, funds, family offices, syndicates and incubators. Every account is verified with a code sent to its email before it can be used.
Is it free for investors?
Joining is free and investors don't need a plan. Investors can create a profile, discover startups, follow members and chat with their connections. Sending a connection request uses credits, which investors can buy in packs from their credits wallet.
How do founder plans and credits work?
Any active plan — the free one too — keeps your startup listed on Idea to Start for its validity period and lets you connect and message. Paid plans also add credits to your wallet. Sending a connection request to an investor or another startup uses a set number of credits. If they decline or don't reply in time, the credits come back. You can buy more credits from your wallet whenever you need them.
Who can I connect and message?
Anyone on Idea to Start — founders can connect with investors and with other startups, and investors with founders and with other investors. Whoever sends the connection request uses credits, and you can message as soon as it's accepted. To keep everyone safe, phone numbers, emails and links are hidden in chat — when you agree terms, lock the deal and our team takes it forward with both of you.
What happens when a deal is locked?
When a founder accepts an investor's offer in the chat, the deal is locked. Our team contacts both sides within 24–48 hours to help with the next steps.
Does a connection or application guarantee funding?
No. Investors make their own decisions, and our programmes select startups against the criteria published on each programme page.