Yet another engaging edition of sheshines in Bangalore on June 19, 2025, brought together founders and investors. Co-hosted by Epic World, the topic for the evening was titled "The Founder–Investor Dance: Building High-Trust Relationships with the Right Capital Partner” and was held at the Epic World office.

The event kicked off with a lively round of Human Bingo- a fun, interactive icebreaker that sparked spontaneous conversations and shared laughter.

Event Highlights

The conversation for the evening brought together some of the most respected voices in the entrepreneur and investment landscape to discuss what makes founder-investor relationships truly work- beyond the pitch and the term sheet.


Moderated with nuance and depth by Nupur Garg, Founder of Winpe, the panel explored how trust is built and sustained, the importance of value alignment, and how founders can choose capital partners who support long-term vision over short-term returns.

Key Takeaways from the evening:

• Trust, Transparency & Respect are Foundational
  A healthy founder-investor relationship is built on complete transparency, mutual trust, and respect. Investors must give founders the space to operate and trust their on-the-ground decision-making. Recognizing that great businesses are built by people of diverse personalities, ages, and genders is essential.
• Set Expectations Early
  Misalignment often begins when roles and expectations are unclear. It’s critical to set boundaries and align on vision from the outset. Unequal treatment of co-founders and lack of faith in the founder’s vision are common sources of friction.
• Invest in the Relationship – Not Just the Company
  Strong one-on-one relationships between founders and investors help weather difficult times. Founders should feel empowered to ask questions, and investors should routinely check in with all co-founders. This two-way relationship requires emotional intelligence and egos left at the door.
• Transparent and Regular Reporting is a Must
  When things are going well, reporting often gets overlooked. But consistent, transparent updates from both sides create alignment and reduce the risk of conflict during tougher times.
• Founders Should Also Screen Investors
  Just as investors conduct diligence, founders should assess investor alignment—values, expectations, and engagement style matter. Building with the right partner is key to long-term success.
• Education & Age Are No Longer Barriers
  The forum acknowledged that we are at an inflection point in how we value education and experience. Degrees and age are no longer accurate predictors of a founder’s ability. Authenticity, clarity of vision, and execution are far more important.
• Play to Strengths, Not Control
  Investors should support founders in areas where they can add true value rather than overstepping. The best partnerships come from complementing, not controlling.
• Leadership That Attracts Talent
  A key skill of successful founders is the ability to build strong teams—by being authentic, honest, and by hiring people smarter than themselves. A founder’s brand and values are crucial in attracting and retaining talent.
• Shared Goal: Company’s Success
  Ultimately, both founders and investors are aligned in one critical objective—the success of the company. When this shared purpose is prioritized, stronger and more resilient partnerships are built.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A giving attendees the freedom to ask candid questions and learn from the speakers’ journeys in a closed, trusted setting.

In the lead-up to Winpe’s annual Leadership Summit & Awards 2026, we gifted exclusive WLSA giveaways to the winner of the Human Bingo - Shobha Venkataraman, Partner at Elevar Equity.

The event was part of Winpe sheshines, a series of knowledge and networking events. Winpe sheshines is committed to fostering meaningful connections and bridging opportunities between women entrepreneurs and investors in the PEVC ecosystem.