Get funded over a cup of coffee

If you think you've got what it takes to turn an idea into reality, motivate others to do the same, and networking is in your DNA, you might land yourself the role of a city mayor for Entrepreneur Cafe, a global community of entrepreneurs which seems all set to grow its presence in the country.

Started by founder Nikhil Agarwal and co-founder Sara Oueld El Hachemi (based in the UK) in December 2014, Entrepreneur Cafe has emerged into a global networking space for young entrepreneurs to meet, discuss ideas, get inspired or criticised, find mentors, reach out to investors, and sometimes laugh over the problems, over a cup of coffee. "We meet twice every month on the second and fourth Thursdays, in a local coffee shop," says Juuhi Raai, one of the Mumbai mayors (volunteer) for Entrepreneurs Cafe, adding, "There are only two rules to be followed: first, be on time and second, buy your own coffee."

The community is spread across the world with more than 100 cities organising these meets every month, from Baroda and Jaipur to Boston, Casablanca, Paris and Nairobi, among others. They also host an annual convention (last took place in New Delhi) open to entrepreneurs and start-ups offering them a unique platform to meet industry bodies, and investors. The next convention is scheduled to take place in Casablanca in December.

Get it started
"Mumbai is too big a city, and we are looking to increase our reach. We are looking at five new candidates to start five more chapters in Bandra, Navi Mumbai, SoBo, Ghatkopar and Andheri," she says, adding, "We will announce details for registration in a month's time. This will be more on the lines of Roadies, where interested candidates will be asked to complete tasks like selling an item on the street, etc."

"Ninety six per cent of start-ups fail because there's no support system to help them get the necessary funding. Entrepreneur Café is designed to help them find a person and place for that. And we do not charge a fee for our monthly meetings," says Raai, emphasising the need for more open platforms like this.

So, the next time you spot a group of people engrossed in conversations in a space that sports a signboard with the words ‘Entrepreneur Cafe', don't hesitate to join them if you've got a start-up in mind.

LOg ON TO: Entrepreneurcafe.org
EMAIL: entrepreneurcafe123 @gmail.com