How can we help?

What happens after I submit my application?
After applying online, your business idea is analysed by each of us at Lightbox. We vote via an internal tool that uses a combination of intuition and analytics to signal its relevance to us. Using tech in your business model and to futureproof the product elevate your score.

If we think it’s a good match, we ask you to come over to pitch to the whole team.
 
How long does it usually take for you to get back to me?
It usually takes about 2 weeks. Our process is thorough and designed to make sure you get the attention you deserve. Due to the high number of submissions, it’s hard for us to get back to you any sooner.  

How much would you invest?
We’d invest anywhere from $2-12MM in a Series A deal.

Do you make seed investments?
We usually like to see an early version of the product and a little bit of traction before making an investment. However, we’ve made seed-stage investments.

I'm naturally a showperson. Do I have to submit a deck?
It’s not essential but a good deck can help. By the way, we love product demos.

Will you sign an NDA?
No, we don’t. But you can expect total confidentiality. We’d never share your deck with anyone without your permission.

What do we like to see in pitches?
Here are a few tips from us for a successful investment pitch.

How can I improve my pitch?

Keep it short: as they say, if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it. Keep your backgrounds in the background and get to the point quickly.

Introduce your consumer insight early on: what’s the insight that gives you an edge? What changing consumer needs does your product address in a fundamentally unique way?

Talk up radical difference: how do you stand out from the competition? How does your product change the cost structure of an industry? How do you leverage tech? What are your team and you really good at?

Discuss your priorities: two or three things that you’re going to focus on immediately. For example this may include what you are going to build out next, what most urgently needs your attention or how you’re going to launch.

Bring up the f-word: We encourage you to talk about failure. We celebrate it because it means you’ve experimented and risked something. We love hearing about what you’ve learnt. We believe it’s key to moving ahead.

Leave time for questions: it’s the best part!

 
I don’t live in Mumbai. Can I pitch over the phone?
There’s no question we prefer meeting in-person. If you can work it out, it’s worth the trip. If not, we’re set up to make it as close to the real thing as possible.

Why didn’t I get selected to pitch?
Unlike most venture capital firms, we invest only in a few companies. This just means we have to find entrepreneurs with whom we have the highest degree of a shared  vision of the future.

It's probably not you, it's us.