"Your network is your net worth." — Porter Gale
Let me ask you something real. When was the last time you had a conversation that opened a door you didn’t even know existed?
If you're a young entrepreneur, chances are you're juggling a million things — pitching investors, building products, hiring talent. But here’s what most people miss: growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through connections.
I’ve seen it firsthand — those who learn how to build powerful business connections early on scale faster, fail less, and get access to resources most only dream of.
Let’s dive into how you can do the same.
In my experience working with dozens of founders across India and beyond, here’s one thing I’ve learned:
You’re just one conversation away from a game-changing opportunity.
Whether you're looking to:
Raise your first round of funding
Find the right co-founder
Land your first big client
Get mentorship from industry veterans
Networking is the bridge that gets you there.
According to a LinkedIn study, 85% of jobs and opportunities are filled through networking, not traditional applications. And in the startup world? That number might be even higher.
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to have millions. You just need the right strategy.
People can sense when you’re networking just to “get something.”
Instead, ask yourself:
“How can I add value to this person’s journey?”
It could be something as simple as:
Sharing a relevant article
Offering feedback on their product
Connecting them with someone in your network
Relationships built on giving, not taking, always last longer.
Imagine walking into a room where everyone speaks your language. That’s what startup communities offer.
Look for:
LinkedIn groups (e.g. Startup India, SaaS Founders Network)
Slack channels (e.g. Indie Hackers, YC Startup School)
Co-working spaces (91springboard, WeWork, BHive)
Startup events and pitch nights (TechSparks, YourStory events, TiECon)
These aren’t just events — they’re ecosystems. And being visible in them builds credibility fast.
In today’s world, your online presence is your business card.
Post insights about your startup journey
Share behind-the-scenes stories
Celebrate small wins and acknowledge your failures
People follow people — not logos. Let them see the human behind the hustle.
Pro Tip: Commenting on posts of investors, founders, and VCs builds visibility and starts conversations passively.
Here’s the secret to real networking: It’s not who you meet. It’s who you keep in touch with.
After any conversation, drop a quick message:
“It was great meeting you at [event]. I loved our chat about [topic]. Would love to stay in touch.”
Set a reminder to check in every 3-4 weeks. Share something valuable or even just ask how things are going.
This simple habit compounds over time into real relationships.
Instead of spraying efforts at every startup event, go deeper, not wider.
Are you in health tech? Edtech? D2C? Find industry-specific meetups where conversations go beyond surface level.
Some examples:
TiE Delhi-NCR Health Summit
India D2C Expo
Global FinTech Fest
At these events, you're more likely to find mentors, collaborators, and investors who truly understand your space.
Ever noticed how some founders get attention instantly?
That’s not luck. It’s storytelling.
Craft a 30-second pitch that’s clear, compelling, and confident:
“Hi, I’m Riya. I’m building India’s first AI-powered platform that helps rural students learn job-ready skills in their local language.”
Make people curious. Make them remember you.
And please — practice this until it feels natural. First impressions matter.
This is worth repeating: Give. Before. You. Ask.
If you want mentorship, show that you’ve done your homework.
If you're looking for investors, offer data and traction first.
If you're requesting a connection, offer a reason why it’s valuable for them too.
You’d be surprised how far generosity takes you in business.
Let me tell you about Kunal, a 25-year-old founder from Jaipur building a logistics tech startup.
At a local TiE meetup, he pitched his idea informally to an angel investor. That connection led to:
A ₹20 lakh seed round
A CTO introduction
A pilot deal with a major e-commerce player
All from one conversation at one event.
That’s the power of showing up.
Let’s be real — networking mistakes are common. I’ve made them too.
Avoid these:
Being transactional (“What can you do for me?” vibes)
Not doing your research before meeting someone
Spamming LinkedIn DMs with copy-paste messages
Not following up after initial conversations
Ignoring online communities (they’re just as powerful as offline!)
Attend one new event every month
Connect with 2-3 new people weekly on LinkedIn
Follow industry leaders and engage thoughtfully
Maintain a simple CRM (Google Sheet works!) to track connections
Give without expecting anything in return.
I get it — networking can feel overwhelming. Especially if you're young, new, or introverted.
But here’s the truth: Every successful entrepreneur you admire once stood where you are.
They just started showing up, asking questions, building relationships — one conversation at a time.
So, next time you’re unsure about attending that event or messaging that founder on LinkedIn, do it.
Because that “hello” could change everything.
Are you ready to grow your network and your business?
Start today by connecting with 3 founders or investors you admire on LinkedIn. Drop them a genuine message.
And if you want more growth tips, startup stories, and founder playbooks — subscribe to Startup City India. Let’s grow, together.