How to Raise Funding for Your Startup Ft. Rajesh Sehgal, Venture Capitalist | EP06 | Adhunika Singh

In today’s episode, I sit down with Rajesh Sehgal, venture capitalist and Managing Partner at Equanimity Investments. Rajesh has spent decades across investing, including a long stint at Franklin Templeton where he worked across emerging markets through multiple cycles with Dr. Mark Mobius, before moving deeper into early-stage venture capital. Through Equanimity, he backs founders building across categories from consumer brands like Renee Cosmetics to EV battery manufacturer Neuron Energy.Today we’re unpacking the real, behind-the-scenes world of venture capital and startup investing in India. In this conversation, we explore:• Rajesh’s remarkable journey from stock markets to global investing and early-stage VC  • What venture capital really is and how VC funds actually work  • The ideal funding path for first-time founders (Friends & Family → Angels → VCs)  • What VCs look for in founders vs. business ideas + 3 major red flags  • How to build a strong, investor-ready pitch deck and common mistakes to avoid  • Real case study: Why he invested in Renee Cosmetics in a crowded beauty market  • How early-stage startup valuations actually work  • Biggest opportunities for the next decade: Defense, Infrastructure, Space, EV/Batteries and more  • The gender funding gap in Indian startups and why it exists  • Sectors at risk of disruption due to AI and technology  • The rise of the 10-minute convenience economy and its long-term impact  • Top 3 book recommendations every founder should read  If you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about how venture capital works in India, this episode is packed with practical, unfiltered insights you won’t want to miss.IP Created & Produced by CinePixel Studioshttps://www.instagram.com/cinepixelstudiosAbout AdhunikaAdhunika Singh is a serial entrepreneur, branding expert, and motivational speaker. She’s the founder of Look What Happened, a design-led lifestyle brand known for its bold storytelling and creative innovation. Through her podcast One Little Secret, Adhunika dives into unfiltered conversations around mindset, business, and self-growth - uncovering the raw, often unheard truths that shape extraordinary journeys.  To know more Follow Adhunika on: https://www.instagram.com/adhunikasingh09https://www.instagram.com/theonelittlesecretshowhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adhunika-singh#VentureCapital #StartupIndia #FoundersJourney #PitchDeck #StartupFunding #WomenInEntrepreneurship #EVIndia #DefenseTech #SpaceTech #IndianStartups #EntrepreneurshipIndia #ReneCosmetics #EquanimityInvestments #OneLittleSecret