Gurugram-based start-up community builder PedalStart has raised the curtain on PedalCircle, an innovative and outcome-driven offline cohort program aimed at catapulting early-stage start-ups from Proof-of-Concept (POC) to their inaugural round of fundraising. Set to kick off in Bangalore in the second week of February 2024, PedalCircle presents a unique opportunity for 25 handpicked start-ups to partake in a transformative 3-month experience, offering access to knowledge, mentors, infrastructure, market networks, and growth capital.
The launch of PedalCircle marks a paradigm shift in the start-up acceleration landscape, focusing on fostering a supportive and collaborative community for founders. With a stringent yet founder-friendly selection process, PedalStart aims to cherry-pick 25 promising start-ups from a pool of over 2000+ applicants. The screening process includes five steps: form screening, analyst call, offline war room evaluation, final analyst call, and culminates in a gala dinner event on January 25th in Bangalore, providing founders with the opportunity to connect with top-tier Venture Capitalists, mentors, and seasoned start-up founders.
Once selected, the 25 start-ups will embark on a 3-month journey where they gain access to PedalStart’s expert support team and shared resources pool. This includes functions such as marketing, tech, legal, and recruiting, available on a usage basis to optimize early-stage cash burn. The founders will also engage in 1:1 mentor sessions tailored to their specific needs at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey, ensuring personalized guidance for success.
Manas Pal and Aditya Darolia, Co-Founders of PedalStart, expressed their vision for PedalCircle, stating, “We designed PedalCircle as a solution focused on filling critical gaps faced by start-ups in their early stages – right guidance from those who have built ventures from the ground up before. Through the cohort, selected start-ups stand to get unparalleled access to infrastructure, knowledge, industry connections, mentors, market access channels, and growth capital – all aimed at accelerating their progress and providing the launch pad for success.”
PedalCircle also places a strong emphasis on community building, with participants intensively engaging at the Innovation Hub throughout the program. The immersive experience is designed to foster personal bonds through shared experiences and collaborative war rooms, enabling participants to learn collectively, avoid potential pitfalls, and forge lasting founder relationships beyond the program itself.
At the conclusion of the offline cohort, selected start-ups will have the opportunity to secure investment from PedalStart, with funding of up to $250,000 from the PedalStart network. Furthermore, alumni will retain full access to PedalStart’s extensive founder community platform, consisting of over 1600+ entrepreneurs, facilitating potential partnerships, addressing future growth needs, and providing ongoing knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Applications for PedalCircle, India’s inaugural cohort, are currently open, and interested start-ups can apply through the provided link https://zfrmz.in/Uun0optJfSJA7bubdFcy. The registration deadline is January 18, 2024, with the 3-month program scheduled to commence in the second week of February 2024 in Bangalore. Early-stage start-ups, both from India and globally, spanning various sectors, are encouraged to apply for this distinctive founder-focused accelerator.
