Mentor & Investor | 25 yrs Exp | CEO @18startup

Hi, I’m Prakash Balasubramanian, currently the Co-founder & CEO of 18startup, & Angel Investor, where we’ve worked with 400+ early-stage founders to go from chaos to clarity (where 60+ startups got incubated, 9 startups raised funding) — building investable MVPs and raising funds.

With over 25 years across banking (ICICI), logistics, edtech, and entrepreneurship, I’ve sat on both sides of the table — as a startup founder and a strategic investor.

I don't sugarcoat. If you're looking for generic “motivation,” I’m not your guy.

But if you’re:

• A first-time founder stuck between idea and execution
• A growth-stage operator unsure how to pitch or raise
• A startup with a great product but zero financial projection clarity
• A team leader burnt out by indecision and lack of structure

Then I’ll help you cut through the noise.

What I can help with:

• Building a roadmap from MVP to funding
• Strategic finance & projections for investors
• No-fluff feedback on pitch decks & business models
• Career clarity: moving from employee to entrepreneur
• Understanding whether your idea is worth your time

Why trust me?

• Ex-Regional Head, ICICI Bank (10+ years)
• Built and scaled ops across logistics, banking, and startups
• Raised capital & run accelerator-backed ventures
• Active mentor with Wadhwani Foundation, AICs, and Build3
• Founder's founder — I’ve been where you are

This is not a feel-good chat. In 30 minutes, I’ll help you:

• Save 6 months of wasted effort
• Avoid common funding & model mistakes
• Get a framework for your next big decision

If you value clarity over clichés, book a call. See you inside.

I’ll respect your time — and expect the same.

Let’s get real about what’s working and what’s not.