In this interview, Megha Gambhir of Stupa Sports Analytics explains why entrepreneurs—especially women founders—should apply to the Global Investor/InvestHer Summit pitch competition. She highlights four main benefits: (1) visibility and validation, as the summit puts participants in front of experienced investors who provide feedback and brand exposure; (2) rapid fundraising acceleration, noting that winning the AI category helped her close a pre‑Series A round within six months; (3) network effects and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of warm, ongoing relationships that can lead to collaborations and synergies; and (4) a supportive women‑focused community, where female founders can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and women investors. She also shares that her business has expanded to over 15 countries following the summit, underscoring the tangible growth opportunities the event can unlock.
Chapters
I think Global Investor is a great platform where you can apply, especially, I mean, for what I think is because you get a great visibility where people are coming in and actually, and the experienced people who have been there in that industry and have done that. So they come forward and, and review the things what you have done. So it's like a, like a validation check as well when you are doing some things and you get a lot of feedback from people. So that's one, because I, I see this because every day is an improvement, and I see this also from that perspective. Second is that it's a great visibility where you are actually in front of a lot of investors and other people as well. So gives you a lot of I mean, sort of visibility and branding sort of thing as well. So that's where I think you should definitely apply to the pitch competition.
So what did you get out of being the winner of the AI category, Megha? What was your experience of being the winner and what happened next?
I think for me, I mean, the things happened quite fast enough actually. I was during that time, I was in the phase of sort of raising my pre-Series A. And at the same time, I attended and I was the winner of the Global Investor Summit as well. And I think within like next 6 months, I've closed my pre-Series A round and the news will be out quite soon. So that's one of the, I would say, big milestones I have achieved after that. But other than that, I think my business also has taken off really well and we are now working with 15+ global countries. So, and I look forward to expand my network. I mean, again, through the, through the Global Investor Summit.
So what would be your key messages as to why other people, investors, policy shapers, women entrepreneurs, funding ecosystem players, why should they come to the summit this year?
So I am a strong believer of network effect. You know, I think I have made my business out of a lot of network and good people around me. And I think it's important to find your sort of right mentors, right people to connect with and be in touch and make your relationship warm with them because you won't get everything just in a, like, in a one night or something, you know, when you need to build your relationships, keep them warm, and then at a certain point in time, you find some synergies, collaborations, and so on. So I feel that summit is a great way to network, to meet people, to know their views, to get more information about what they are doing, and also use that information, learnings, even connections, network to expand your horizons as well. And it's up to you how you utilize it. So that's one of the strong reasons. And the second is that I do believe— I mean, I'm a hardcore sort of a supporter for women, and I'm a hardcore feminist also. But I feel that It's a great platform where all the women are coming together, having the great energy to, to help budding entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs as well, and as well as listen from already established investors and women investors or women entrepreneurs. So I think it's a great place to be in together with this group. So that's why you should definitely attend the summit. Thank you.
