B2B 1K Ventures

Check that you fit the focus

B2B 1K's site says it works only with technology startups in the B2B space — companies selling technology to enterprise buyers, in areas like data analytics, digital media and collaboration tools. If your startup is consumer-facing or outside technology, it is unlikely to be a fit.

How its Boot Camp selection worked

The B2B 1K Boot Camp, run for the October to December 2017 quarter, looked for startups that were more than six months old with either a ready MVP or proofs of concept in progress with a few initial customers. A panel of investors and CIOs reviewed applications and selected a small cohort. No later intake is advertised, so confirm whether any programme is currently open before you apply.

What to expect from the model

B2B 1K's own description is of an investor that provides branding and marketing support and takes equity in return, rather than one that writes a cheque. Read its terms carefully so you understand what you are giving up and what you get back before committing.

B2B 1K Ventures is a Mumbai-based investor in early-stage business-to-business technology startups. It is run by Brand Hub Marketing LLP and works from Oberoi Garden Estate in Andheri (East), Mumbai. Its founder, Anoop Mathur, describes himself as a first-generation entrepreneur with over 17 years in the corporate and enterprise market.

How it works

Rather than invest cash, B2B 1K describes a model where it provides branding and marketing services to a startup and takes equity in return. Its site frames its focus narrowly: it says it works only with technology startups in the B2B space, building products such as social apps, mobile products, data analytics, digital media and collaboration technologies. This is a different positioning from the "sector agnostic" label the directory carried before, so the B2B technology focus is the one the site itself states.

Programmes

The one cohort-style programme described on the site is the B2B 1K Boot Camp, a selection run for the October to December 2017 quarter that chose a small group of early-stage B2B startups for feedback, mentoring and connects to enterprise buyers and investors. It was described as the inaugural batch, and no later intake is advertised; a founder interested in it should check the site for current status before applying.

Portfolio

Startups named in its portfolio include AdStringO, an image-compression technology product, and InstaSafe, which offers private cloud networking.

Where it is

B2B 1K operates from Units 3037, A1 Wing, 3rd Floor, Oberoi Garden Estate, near Chandivali Studio, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400072, under the entity Brand Hub Marketing LLP. The best route to reach the team is the contact address published on its site.