India’s startup ecosystem just witnessed another infusion of grassroots energy as PedalStart concluded “Founder-Investor Fusion,” a multi-city accelerator roadshow that put fledgling founders face-to-face with investors who can fuel their next leap.
A curated sprint through four hubs
Conceived as an “offline super-connector,” the series debuted in Bengaluru last March with 60 participants and quickly expanded to Hyderabad and Mumbai, before closing out at Gurugram’s DLF Cyber Park on 12 June. Across all four stops the numbers told their own story: over 350 founders, operators and mentors met 220-plus angels and HNIs, many of whom belong to PedalStart’s private investors’ circle, PedalInvest.
Live pitches and real money on the table
Each three-hour session blended rapid-fire pitches, focused panel discussions and open networking. Six standout ventures—Flowwat, InsightAI, Shoegr, Bull Agritech, Iztri and Oopar Club—stepped into the spotlight, collectively attracting ₹6 crore in soft commitments for follow-on rounds. For dozens more startups still refining their models, the Fusion tour offered candid feedback from sector specialists and a first look at active cheque-writers.
Closing the early-stage gap
PedalStart’s co-founders Manas Pal and Aditya Darolia created the format to solve what they call the “pre-Series-A blackout,” when promising proof-of-concepts struggle to convert warm introductions into actual term sheets. “The energy in every city showed us how badly founders and investors want a space that mixes real diligence with informal conversation,” the duo noted after the Gurugram finale, promising a “bigger, bolder” edition in 2026.
More than networking
Beyond capital, Fusion gave portfolio and external founders direct coaching on fundraising strategy, unit economics and go-to-market execution. Because sessions were kept small and invite-only, discussions ran deeper than the usual conference chatter, often spilling into follow-up meetings scheduled right on the floor.
PedalStart’s wider play
Founded in 2022, PedalStart screens thousands of applications each year before selecting 15–18 high-potential startups for a hands-on accelerator that pairs operator-mentors with early capital. Initiatives like Fusion extend that support network far beyond the formal cohort and strengthen deal flow for PedalInvest members.
What’s next
With Gurugram wrapped, PedalStart is already mapping a fresh slate of city stops and themed deep-dives—fintech, climate tech, consumer brands—for 2026. If the past three months are any indication, demand will only intensify. For founders hunting their first cheques and investors looking to back raw but determined talent, the Fusion stage has quickly become a date to circle on the calendar.