Jamshedpur: At an age when most graduates are still weighing corporate job offers, P. Shravan Kumar had already charted a different course — founding SK Associates & Group (SK A&G) in Jamshedpur at just 20. An investment consultant with experience at global financial giants like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, Kumar set out with an ambitious mission: to help Indian startups navigate the complex world of private funding, debt instruments, and cross-border capital. Today, SK A&G positions itself as a Tier-1 startup and fundraising consultancy.

In this exclusive interview, Shravan Kumar speaks about launching a consultancy during the COVID era, building global investor networks at a young age, and mentoring entrepreneurs on fundraising strategy.

Q1: What inspired you to step into entrepreneurship at 20 instead of choosing a conventional corporate career path?

SK: When my university transitioned to a virtual mode during the COVID era, I had a lot of free time, which I utilized by interning with JP Morgan & Citigroup, which in turn, helped me understand that “Finance is the backbone of any business.” After completing my projects, I launched SK Associates & Group to help 5,000 Indian Startups and Companies raise private funding and expand their footprints across the business world.

Q2. Before starting SK A&G, you worked with global institutions like JP Morgan and Citibank on high-value M&A mandates. What key lessons from investment banking shaped your approach as a founder?

SK: My experiences with JP Morgan and Citibank have helped me understand how investment banks can support the business world via private equity and debt funding. SK Associates & Group today has a network of 150+ Private Investors- including Fortune 500 executives, South Indian real estate promoters, GCC family offices and VCs, and FINRA-registered U.S. investment banks- which gives us access to international capital pools.

Q3. SK A&G is positioned as a Tier-1 startup and fundraising consultancy. What gap in the Indian market did you identify that led to its creation?

SK: Back in 2021, I noticed that there were very few VCs and PE Firms across India funding startups with an “agnostic” approach. 95% of Institutional Investors have an industry-specific approach towards investments, and 90% Founders and Directors (especially Gen X & Y) had no idea about fundraising processes such as due diligence, unsecured funding sources, and government schemes like PMMY, SISFS, or CGTMSE. This led to SK A&G’s initial focus on mentoring entrepreneurs and helping them raise 5 crores each under CGTMSE from various public-sector banks (PSBs).

Q4. Your work spans real estate, legal services, and cross-border capital advisory. How do you integrate capital strategy, regulatory compliance, and execution for your clients?

SK: At SK Associates & Group, our fundraising process workflow includes three steps: (1) Structured Due Diligence and Background Verification, (2) Scope Discussion and Contract Signing, and (3) Deal Structuring & Corporate Restructuring before Fund Disbursement. This workflow seamlessly integrates regulatory compliance, fundraising strategy, and smooth execution of all business processes from client meet to fund disbursement.

Q5. You have cultivated a network of global business leaders, Fortune 500 executives, family offices, VCs, and international investment banks. How did you build such a strong global network?

SK: Being an alumnus of both XLRI Jamshedpur and Amity University has been a boon for me, considering that I have met multiple national and international scale investors during various events and conferences. Additionally, being a fourth-generation lawyer gave me access to multiple HNI & NRI networks in my teenage years, which I utilised to help create a network that can, in turn, invest excessive funds into Indian companies as debt or equity.

Q6. Having authored “The Saga of Fantasies” at 19 and published 9 international research papers, how do creativity and research thinking influence your professional decision-making?

SK: Being the son of a teacher cum Investor, I have been privileged to have access to humongous libraries since childhood, which has played a major role in developing my thoughts, ideologies, and intellect. I also have an interest in Art & Craft and Drawing. These abilities help me understand business models of various companies better, so that I can appreciate and adore the artistic creativity of the founders who created, structured, and grew them.

Q7. As a two-time TEDx speaker, what core message do you aim to share with young entrepreneurs and students?

SK: During both of my TEDx Talks, I have drawn references from the Mahabharata and Bhagvad Gita to stress upon the development of core abilities like resilience, adaptation to changes, and compassion. I strongly believe that entrepreneurs need to keep trying again and again till they succeed.

Q8. In your experience, what are the biggest challenges Indian startups and SMEs face today while trying to raise funds?

SK: Awareness of proper fundraising sources and the courage to bootstrap first are the two mighty challenges for Indian startups and SME’s today. 90% young entrepreneurs directly approach private equity funding in the seed stage/pre-seed stage/pre-revenue stage of their startups, which is not feasible since no Investor wants to invest in startups with no proven revenue models. Entrepreneurs today also need to work with debt funding schemes provided by the Government of India, such as PMMY, SISFS & CGTMSE, which offer access to up to Rs 10 crore in unsecured debt funding.