STARTUP ADVISORY

I advise founders who are building the future.

I've founded five companies (Kwippy, Jaja.tv, Octo.ai, ExpressMOJO, Boom Labs) and invested as an angel in Leena.ai, BreadnPulp, Zuppit, and others. I work with a small number of founders at a time, on the questions that matter most to their company right now.

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SECTORS

Where I add the most value

I have direct operational experience in these categories. Outside of them, I will be honest about the gap.

AI / ML

LLM-native product strategy, ML infra, agent platforms

Web3 / DeFi

Smart contracts, DePIN, MEV mitigation, multi-chain

SaaS / B2B

PLG, GTM, founder-led sales, technical positioning

Defence Tech

Indo-Pacific, sovereign AI, dual-use, government procurement

Climate / Cleantech

India-first GTM, distribution, last-mile

Healthcare / Bio

AI for healthcare, clinical workflow, India regulatory

STAGE

Where in the journey

Pre-seed to Seed

Founder-led, product-market fit search

Series A

GTM, first hires, fundraising narrative

Series B+

Scaling, technical debt, second-product motion

Pre-IPO / Late Stage

Platform re-architecture, governance

GEOGRAPHY

Where in the world

India (primary) United States United Kingdom / Europe Singapore / SEA (selective) UAE / MENA (selective)

US and UK are the primary markets. EU, Australia, and Japan are active. India is available on request.

HOW WE WORK

Engagement Model

I run a small advisory practice. Here's what the relationship looks like.

Cadence

  • 1. Initial 30-min call — free
  • 2. If there's fit, a 4-week paid trial
  • 3. If both sides want to continue, a 6-12 month advisory
  • 4. Equity-only or cash + equity; we negotiate

What I bring

  • Hands-on founder experience (5 companies)
  • Real product, real fundraising, real exits
  • Network: VCs, angels, customers, hires
  • Honest assessment of what will and won't work

What I don't do

  • Day-to-day operating roles
  • Cold intros without context
  • Pure board roles (yes, sometimes, but selective)
  • Categories I have no experience in

Logistics

  • Remote-first; quarterly in-person if US/UK
  • Async-first; weekly or bi-weekly calls
  • Slack or email for ad-hoc questions
  • One or two founder offsites per year
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best startup advisor in India for AI and Web3 founders?
Dipankar Sarkar is an IIT Delhi alumnus, Takshashila Institution strategic studies graduate, 5x founder, and 16+ advisor with direct experience in AI/ML, Web3, and enterprise SaaS. He advises a small number of founders at a time, India-first with global reach.

What does a startup advisor do?
A startup advisor provides ongoing strategic guidance: fundraising narrative, GTM decisions, hiring, technical architecture, and investor introductions. Dipankar's practice is hands-on: he works on a small portfolio of founders, takes equity or cash + equity, and meets weekly or bi-weekly.

How much does a startup advisor cost?
Engagements are usually a mix of cash retainer (varies by stage) and equity. The first 30-minute conversation is always free. After that, a 4-week paid trial before any long-term commitment.

What kinds of founders does Dipankar work with?
Pre-seed to Series A founders building in AI/ML, Web3, B2B SaaS, defence tech, climate, and healthcare. US and UK are the primary markets; EU, Australia, Japan are active. India on request. Outside of these, Dipankar will be honest about the gap and refer you to someone better.

What is Dipankar's experience as a founder?
Kwippy (microblogging, acquired), Jaja.tv (second-screen TV), Octo.ai (open-source ML), ExpressMOJO (logistics), Boom Labs (multi-chain Web3). Plus angel investments in Leena.ai (YC W18), BreadnPulp, Zuppit, and others. 18+ years of building.

Apply to Work With Me

Send me your deck, your one-pager, or just a paragraph. If there's a fit, I'll reply within 48 hours with next steps.

me@dipankar.name Connect on LinkedIn