The process of scaling up a business through capital markets is all too often closed off and costly. Prabhat Singh, who joined forces with Anil Valbh and Abhesh Verma to start DigiFunds, fully recognized this and set out to build a more fair, transparent, and efficient way to raise capital funds. DigiFunds is doing this by offering a unique investment model built on blockchain technology that allows companies to raise capital through digital assets, backed by real investments. The platform enables investors and companies alike to hold all documents securely online, manage their assets directly, and track funding progress.
During his many years working in investment banking, change management, tech operations, and management consulting across sectors, Prabhat, now the chief technology officer (CTO) at DigiFunds, has had a front-row seat to how this innovative technology can become a reality and revolutionize finance.
Right from the moment Prabhat first got into computers, he connected to discussions around blockchain and open source. He became interested in the technology of early cryptocurrencies, contributing code to Bitcoin and Ethereum. Later he worked on research utilizing fuzzy logic for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Acamdically, Prabhat’s background is in engineering. He studied at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology before working in banking for Standard Chartered Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and UBS.
While a management consultant, Prabhat witnessed firsthand how inefficiencies in global trade caused massive food wastage. To Prabhat, it is clear that blockchain technology provides the answer to inefficiencies, not just in the supply chain but across a range of sectors, including enterprise funding and healthcare.
Building DigiFunds: thinking of money as a technology
When thinking about his DigiFunds goals, Prabhat sets apart the grand vision from the practicalities that need to come first. The dream, he says, is to democratize capital markets. This means giving the power of banking directly to the consumer as an in-house function.
But before this can happen DigiFunds needs to complete the government approval process, which is currently in the works and is due to be finalized this spring. Next comes the launch and growth of the platform. In the medium term, DigiFunds is working hard to launch funds in all five continents within the next five years.
To Prabhat, the most exciting thing in technology is money. Money as a technology itself, which can be developed further, is a passion for Prabhat, who explains, money inherently holds value and is transferable but there is also potential there to add programmability. To program money means to add control and code to it. This can reduce the risk of loss through fraud or bad actors.
Building business capital can be a long and expensive process.
Prabhat looks to his DigiFunds co-founder, Anil, when picturing the type of business that DigiFunds aims to help via its platform. Anil has many years of experience building hotels across the States – but due to the nature of cash flow cycles in real estate, there are times when a new project requires a big investment to get it off the ground. But barriers to venture capital investment can have a detrimental effect that limits growth and scale when it matters.
“You’re forced to spend a lot of time and money going around seeking funding through banks and financial bodies in order to raise the capital. Just because you have 10 hotels doesn’t mean the 11th will come easily,” Prabhat says.
However, according to Prabhat, the power of community is a real strength of the DigiFunds platform. Unlike traditional capital fundraising, which comes with associated costs and funding ceilings that can disadvantage projects, DigiFunds creates a platform where investment decisions are made by people. “If they like the idea, they will support it, and things will get built faster,” he adds.
Breaking the financial barriers of venture capital
With a platform such as DigiFunds, the opportunities for both investors and businesses looking to raise funds are unlimited.
For businesses, DigiFunds is providing an alternative means of raising essential capital without the limitations of traditional vehicles – instead offering a secure, transparent, and efficient funding model. Companies of any size and from any industry can access the capital they need to be successful.
For investors, the platform is a refreshing change to the sometimes obscure digital investment platforms currently available. As an open market, transparency is at the heart of DigiFunds, and individuals can invest knowing that their assets are secure and protected.
DigiFunds provides a platform that breaks down the barriers to fundraising formed not only by the status quo of traditional finance but also by the pitfalls of the digital platforms that currently exist. It is a step in the right direction to building a more democratic and secure investment system that protects investors, companies, and the economy, and puts efficiency and transparency first.
Find out more about the DigiFunds platform here.