.svg)
Chief Guest
- Smt. Droupadi Murmu Hon'ble President of India
In The August Presence Of
- Shri Mohan Charan Majhi Chief Minister Odisha
- Dr Mukesh Mahaling Minister, Health and Family welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronics & Information Technology Odisha
- Shri Suryabanshi Suraj Minister, Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language Literature & Culture Odisha
Anisha Patnaik
Founder
LexStart Partners
Anisha Patnaik is a distinguished corporate lawyer, entrepreneur and prolific angel investor with over 21 years of experience. As the founder of LexStart Partners, India’s foremost startup consultancy, Anisha has spent the last decade demystifying the legal maze for the early-stage ecosystem. Her career spans roles as a Law Firm Partner and General Counsel and she is currently pioneering the future of law by running a specialized venture studio for legal tech.
Anisha’s influence is deeply felt in the investment landscape. A sector-agnostic angel investor, her portfolio features high-growth brands. She notably serves as the only female jury member and angel investor for IIT Bombay’s The 10 Minute Million. Her leadership in venture capital is further solidified as a Venture Partner for StrongHer Ventures and Sangam Ventures and as a co-founder of one of India’s first women-focused angel networks.
In addition to her corporate leadership, Anisha is also a philanthropist. She is the co-founder of Ilika, an NGO that provides critical fellowships to undergraduate students from underprivileged backgrounds, ensuring talent meets opportunity.
A recipient of the Woman Lawyer of the Year award and recognized as a Top 100 Women Trailblazer (2024 & 2025), Anisha continues to serve as External Legal Counsel for Acumen. Whether she is structuring complex investment transactions or mentoring the next generation of scholars and founders, Anisha remains a pivotal architect of impact and innovation in India.
Speaking at
-
3:45–4:30pmThu 5 FebShowcase StageCrystal HallOpen
Accelerating Sector Transformation
From First Cheque to Funded: Raising Capital from Angels to Institutions
About this session
Drawing from years of working closely with early-stage founders and sitting on the other side of the table as an angel investor, Anisha Patnaik brings a candid, story-driven perspective on what fundraising really looks like in practice. This session goes beyond pitch decks and valuation jargon to unpack the moments, signals, and decisions that shape early funding outcomes - from first conversations to first cheques.
Through real founder stories, common missteps, and investor insights shaped by her experience at LexStart Partners, Anisha will share the fundraising skills every founder should know but few are taught: how angels think, what builds trust early, and how founders can position themselves for long-term backing, not just a single round. A must-attend session for founders preparing to raise, or re-thinking how they approach capital altogether.
