RBFN Podcast
Learn from the best alternative capital investors in the world. Revenue-based financing investor and thought leader, Keith Harrington, conducts in-depth interviews with other investors who are disrupting the capital markets by offering alternative capital solutions to the traditional VC equity fundraising path. Successful entrepreneurs are demanding more innovation from investors, and Keith’s goal is to bring these investors together to share what they’ve learned, why it’s important to them, and how they apply it to what they do. The Revenue-Based Financing Network Podcast aims to quickly expand this growing industry to support more entrepreneurs and build awareness around the revenue-based financing ecosystem. Learn more and join our community at www.rbfn.org.
RBFN Podcast
#24 - Don’t Let Fundraising Break You & How to Treat an Entrepreneur - with Shaily Baranwal of Elevate K-12
Shaily Baranwal is the Founder and CEO of Elevate K-12. She’s an incredible entrepreneur and CEO, and I can attest to her ability to rapidly scale a company. Elevate K-12 provides engaging virtual classroom instruction from certified live teachers to ensure every student receives a high-quality education regardless of zip code. In the episode, Shaily shares the inspiring journey from her childhood in India as a special education student, to becoming a classroom teacher. She discusses founding two other companies before Elevate K-12, including a chain of preschools for low-income students in rural India. Shaily also talks about her fundraising experiences starting Elevate K-12, scaling the business, and her passion for problem-solving and rule-breaking in entrepreneurship.
Key Takeaways
[2:32] Shaily’s background.
[6:00] Shaily embraces both her scientific and artistic side.
[8:09] Solving problems is Shaily’s motivation.
[11:00] “Principles” by Ray Dalio.
[12:22] Learning from advisors and leaders. And choosing them wisely.
[14:05] Creating an ecosystem of success.
[18:01] Shaily’s past in teaching.
[18:33] Elevate - the fundraising journey.
[20:56] Why fundraising was a nightmare.
[22:08] Getting the first million from a hedge fund founder.
[26:04] The importance of a great investor.
[26:48] Discovering non-dilutive funding.
[29:27] Screening potential investors and choosing Novel.
[32:18] Asymmetry in the power and information dynamic.
[36:31] Advice for entrepreneurs and investors.
[39:35] Why did fundraising almost break Shaily?
[41:18] What surprised Shaily throughout the journey.
[43:05] The impact Shaily’s dad had on her career.
Resources:
RBF Network
Keith’s Twitter