Lots of people asked me – Why did you guys started off Seeders in Kolkata. Mumbai / Bangalore or Delhi could be a better location.
So instead of individually replying, here is my perspective:
Seed funding / incubation is an international business. Therefore location hardly matters. Anyone living anywhere can travel down to the place where he has an opportunity to seed his dream venture. I am aware of people who have crossed national boundaries to chase their dreams!
We want to support entrepreneurship in general, more so in India and still more in Kolkata (you know the home town affinity stuff). You may know that at one point (around 40 years back), Kolkata was the commercial hub of India. We do not want to live in history, but want to get some inspiration and get it back some of its lost glory.
Kolkata is cheaper to live in and has everything that you need to live a cool and chic urban life. Yes, the night clubs here remain open longer than you think. So your money last longer!
We are primarily funding companies which use Internet as an key enabler, we do not think it will make sense to work with people who cannot use it effectively to bury distance. And, if you are desperate to see some souls with flesh, all major cities are just a flight away.
The physical, social and professional ecosystem is all well set here for us to pass maximum benefits to the dreamers who come to us. So we can get straight to business.
In Kolkata, you can work under the radar. Your competitors (you are not the only person thinking of the idea at a given time) do not know about you before you really want them to!
Last, but not the least – We live in Kolkata. Both partners of Seeders – i.e. myself and Pallav lives in Kolkata.
So, if you have decided to build your company, apply online on our site and then if we choose to work with you, pack your bags and come in!
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I agree to it. And, I personally feel that at Kolkata, we control the life elsewhere, life controls us – things are too fast and you always feel as if you are loosing the race.
nice to know
I saw another post with link for more info on Startup Saturday but its broken
Will be happy to see something where all startups can connect once in a month – more than anybody else, its we startups who needs to share resources and can benefit from each other
A coverage by VC Circle-
http://www.vccircle.com/500/news/seeders-to-replicate-y-combinator-model-in-india
Good to have seeders in Kolkata. I do promote it to others, in last few months I have seen Tie taking extra initiatives about Funding.
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Awesome idea of promoting entrepreneurship in Kolkata (or home towns).
I have been thinking to do the same (support upcoming entrepreneurs) in Kanpur. You guys have set a great example, I can learn from.
All the best.
wow .. i didn’t know that we got a popular YCombinator model here in kolkata itself …
hope to partner with you guys someday!
Hi Leon,
Sure. Do keep in touch!
- Abhishek
I just wanted to update everyone that now Seeders is investing across the country, i.e. India. Between the partners (i.e. myself and Pallav) we have presence in Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi (NCR region).
Regards
Abhishek