NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Startup Conversations: Helping Startups Become Investment-Ready

​Getting a startup ready for investment goes beyond having a good pitch. It involves helping founders understand when they are ready to seek capital, what investors look for, how to communicate their business potential, and how to navigate the investment process.

​But what does this mean for the organizations supporting them?

​Join us for Startup Conversations, an interactive discussion and meet-and-greet with Gagandeep Bakshi, designed for incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs working closely with startups.

​This is an opportunity to meet Gagan, hear from his experience, exchange insights, and engage in an open conversation on how startup support organizations can better prepare and guide founders through their investment journey.

​Gagandeep Bakshi is Senior Director, Impact Investing at the William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan, where he leads the institute’s high-impact financing strategy and initiatives supporting enterprises and entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets.

​Gagan brings over 20 years of experience in capital raising, capital structuring, mergers and acquisitions advisory, blended finance, and corporate finance across India, Africa, and South Asia. He has dedicated more than a decade to mobilizing capital for enterprises driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

​Previously, as Partner and Director at Intellecap, Gagan led the PE and M&A advisory practice, closing 40+ transactions valued at more than $700 million across healthcare, climate and renewable energy, and financial inclusion.

​He also actively mentors entrepreneurs through masterclasses on capital raising, pitch development, and term-sheet negotiations, bringing a practical perspective on what it takes for startups to navigate the investment process.

​What we’ll talk about:

​What makes a startup investment-ready

​How incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs can prepare founders for investors

​Common gaps startups face when seeking investment

​What investors look for beyond the pitch

​How startup support organizations can strengthen pathways to capital

​Practical insights on capital raising and engaging with investors

​More than a talk, Startup Conversations is a chance to meet Gagan, ask questions, share experiences, and connect with fellow ecosystem builders working to create better pathways for startups to access investment.