The startup landscape in India is set for a transformative new addition with the launch of First500days, a venture studio founded by Shivam Pal in partnership with Singapore-based LaunchPilot, led by Sarvesh Tusnial. First500days aims to create a nurturing environment for early-stage startups, equipping them with essential resources, mentorship, and strategic support to turn ideas into scalable, impactful businesses.
Why a Venture Studio?
The venture studio model has gained traction globally as an alternative to traditional accelerators and incubators, particularly for entrepreneurs at the earliest stages. Unlike accelerators that often work with companies already established in their paths to growth, venture studios build startups from the ground up, offering hands-on support from ideation to launch. This approach addresses the challenges of the early startup journey, which can be the most difficult and high-risk period in a founder’s experience.
For India, a country known for its dynamic startup ecosystem, the venture studio model holds immense potential. With increasing numbers of founders emerging from diverse backgrounds and a growing interest in tech-enabled solutions, there is a clear need for structured support that goes beyond financial investment. First500days seeks to close this gap, bringing a unique model that combines operational support with mentorship from experienced founders, access to early-stage capital, and technical resources tailored to each startup’s unique needs.
The Mission Behind First500days
At the heart of First500days is the mission to empower founders during the crucial first year of their entrepreneurial journey. “The first 500 days are the most challenging but also the most critical in a startup’s life,” says Shivam Pal, founder of First500days. “Our goal is to provide founders with the support they need to overcome early hurdles, pivot effectively, and emerge with strong business foundations that enable them to scale.”
The venture studio will operate with a hands-on approach, working closely with founders to design, test, and validate their ideas before launching into the market. Through this model, First500days plans to support a range of tech-driven ventures across sectors, including fintech, edtech, healthcare, and green technology.
The Partnership with LaunchPilot
LaunchPilot, founded by Sarvesh Tusnial in Singapore, has a reputation for fostering entrepreneurial talent and offering tailored mentorship through its business school for founders. The partnership between LaunchPilot and First500days marks a significant milestone, bringing together LaunchPilot’s expertise in building scalable startups with First500days’ focus on localized support for Indian entrepreneurs.
“India’s entrepreneurial talent pool is one of the fastest-growing globally, and our partnership with Shivam aims to channel this momentum effectively,” says Sarvesh Tusnial, founder of LaunchPilot. “We want to empower founders to develop high-impact solutions that align with the evolving needs of the Indian market, and a venture studio approach allows us to do that in a highly customized way.”
A Holistic Approach to Building Successful Startups
First500days will offer a full suite of services designed to help founders navigate the complex startup environment. From hands-on mentorship and access to expert networks to resources for market research and product development, the studio’s comprehensive approach aims to enable a faster path to product-market fit. Additionally, First500days will connect founders with a range of professionals across technology, marketing, and operations, ensuring that startups have the best foundation to grow.
Looking Ahead
The launch of First500days is a promising step for India’s early-stage founders. By addressing the unique challenges of early entrepreneurship with dedicated resources and a strong mentorship foundation, First500days and LaunchPilot hope to foster a new wave of successful, sustainable businesses in India.
Website – first500days.com
