India, 14th May, 2025 — India’s startup landscape is booming, with over 1.59 lakh recognized startups and more than 16.6 lakh jobs created by 2025, placing the country as the third-largest startup hub globally. Despite this promising trajectory, many early-stage founders are navigating their journeys without structured mentorship or a dependable support system.
With nearly 50% of startups emerging from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—and half featuring at least one woman director—the ecosystem is clearly evolving toward inclusivity and decentralization. Still, solo founders and those in smaller cities often lack access to meaningful guidance and community support. While funding access is improving, emotional and strategic mentorship continues to lag behind.
This imbalance is particularly evident in cities like Mumbai, where startup funding surged by 154% in 2024. The influx of capital has not been matched by the growth of founder-centric communities that encourage resilience, peer learning, and trust.
Rising to meet this need is YBF (Your Best Friend), a Mumbai-based initiative founded in 2025 by Avikaa Singh. Unlike conventional networks that focus on transactions, YBF aims to foster genuine connections, blending mentorship with peer support and personal development.
Inspired by her own challenges building a startup without a support system, Singh created YBF as a platform that emphasizes trust, connection, and timely guidance. “I had ambition, but no mentors or community to help me grow,” she recalls.
YBF offers a curated digital space combining expert-led mentorship with relationship-driven networking. Its goal is to provide not just business advice, but also mental clarity, emotional backing, and sustainable connections founders can rely on.
As India’s startup ecosystem matures, platforms like YBF are essential—not just for building businesses, but for nurturing the environments that help them succeed. For the entrepreneurial wave to sustain itself, India must balance its investments in capital with equal focus on community.
Tags:
YBF (Your Best Friend)
Startup Mentorship Ecosystem
Avikaa Singh
Expert-led Mentorship
Trust-based Networking
