When you’re starting up, finance often sits in the backseat. You’re chasing customers, building product, closing your first big deal, spreadsheets and ledgers can wait. Until they can’t. The day will come when you need more than an accountant sending you GST returns. You’ll need a finance function, a team, a system, and a mindset that supports the business you’re building. But here’s the thing: building a finance function isn’t just about hiring a CFO and buying software. Don

Fundraising isn’t about pitch decks. It’s about proving you won’t burn their cash. 1. The "Hockey Stick" Fantasy Trap The Harsh Reality Investors see 100+ "10X growth" projections monthly. Yours looks identical. Real Founder Story A fintech projected ₹50 Cr Year 3 revenue based on "market size." Diligence Exposed: No cohort retention data, CAC 3x industry avg. Result: Term sheet revoked. Founder rebuilt model for 9 months. Your Pre-Fundraise Fix Ground projections in unit eco

Most startups don’t fail due to lack of product-market fit or competition, they slow down because they ignore finance until it becomes a problem. In our work with dozens of early and growth-stage startups across sectors, we’ve seen patterns repeat. This post is a practical breakdown of 5 common financial blind spots , with real-life inspired examples, founder pain points, and what to do before it’s too late. 1. The "Revenue = Success" Mirage The Trap Founders obsess over GMV