Electropreneur Park, STPI Bhubaneswar
Chai & Conversation
with Startup Founders & Aspirants
An informal discussion on Dos, Don'ts, Myths on Startup Idea Validation and Fundraising
by
SETU Startup School
by Gaurav Bansal, Ex-Mentor Startups - IITs, IIM
•In collaboration with : STPI Elite Bhubneswar, FRITEA, IA- India Accelerator, Visey, Electropreneur Park Bhubneswar
Two Founders. One Startup Idea. Very Different Outcomes.
The difference isn't always the idea — it's what you do before you build and before you raise.
Founder 1: The Idea-First Founder
Falls in love with the idea before finding out whether customers actually need it.
- Builds the product before speaking to enough customers
- Confuses positive feedback with real validation
- Assumes a big market means there is a business
- Starts thinking about fundraising before proving the basics
Founder 2: The Validation-First Founder
Tests assumptions, learns from customers and understands what needs to be proven before scaling.
- Talks to customers before building
- Tests the problem, solution and willingness to pay
- Uses frameworks to validate key assumptions
- Understands when fundraising makes sense — and what investors will ask
What to Expect
An opportunity to discuss their own startup idea or challenge
Practical approaches to testing customer and problem assumptions
Clarity on common startup validation mistakes
A clearer understanding of what startup ideas actually need to be validated
Fundraising: Common Traps & Myths
A better understanding of fundraising realities and misconceptions
Workshop Breakdown
Three battle-tested workshops designed to take you from zero to launch.
Oct 2, 2026 • 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Chai & Conversation Bhubaneswar
Dos, Don’ts & Myths on Startup Idea Validation and Fundraising
What You'll Learn
- Customer & Problem Validation
- Startup Idea Validation
- Validation Frameworks
- Customer Discovery & Feedback
- Common Validation Mistakes
- Fundraising Dos & Don’ts
- When & Why to Raise Funds
- Common Fundraising Myths & Traps
Your Deliverables
- Practical Validation Framework
- Ways to Test Your Startup Idea
- Understanding Customer Signals
- Clarity on What to Build & Validate
- Common Founder Mistakes to Avoid
- Fundraising Readiness Checklist
- Understanding Investor Expectations
- Clarity on Fundraising Myths & Mistakes
Pricing & Registration
Select the option that fits your goals and reserve your seat today. Limited spots available.
Offer Closing Soon
Chai & Conversation- Bhubaneswar
₹999Save ₹998
₹1/ pass
2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
2 October 2026
STPI ELITE, Software Technology Parks of India, Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751029
What's Included:
Open Q&A and Ideation Discussion
Chai & High-Impact Networking
Founder Community Access
Meet Your Host
Gaurav Bansal
Founder-SETU Startup School
Gaurav helps founders turn early-stage ideas into scalable businesses and prepare for growth and fundraising. As a 2X entrepreneur, he brings hands-on startup experience and mentoring expertise, helping founders make sharper strategic decisions and build with greater clarity.
- Author & 2X Entrepreneur
- 15+ years of experience across startups and large organisations
- Former Startup Mentor at IIT Delhi (DMS), IIT Madras & IIM Rohtak
- Expertise across startup building, strategy, fundraising & entrepreneurship
Frequently Asked Questions
The meetup is open to aspiring founders, idea-stage entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, students, professionals and anyone seriously exploring entrepreneurship.
No. The discussion is designed for both people who are still looking for an idea and founders who are already building.
No. It follows a casual Chai & Conversation format with open discussion, practical insights, questions and interaction.
Yes. Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas, questions and challenges into the conversation.
No. The session is designed to be accessible to first-time entrepreneurs as well as people already building.
You will gain practical perspectives and frameworks for identifying, evaluating and validating startup opportunities.
Approximately 3 hours.
No. This is a paid event. You will have to pay Rs.1/- to Setu Startup School.
Request a Callback
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