SERVICE
CAPITAL
Expertise Today. Equity Aligned For Tomorrow
Service Capital is Array Ventures’ investment model for selected early-stage startups. We invest services, expertise, execution capability and resources that help startups build and grow. In return, Array Ventures receives an agreed equity stake.
OVERVIEW
What Is
Service Capital?
Service Capital is an investment of capability rather than cash. A startup receives access to agreed services and execution resources that would otherwise require significant early cash expenditure or a larger internal team.
Depending on the startup and the approved scope, Service Capital can support strategy, product, technology, design, branding, marketing, growth, finance, fundraising readiness, talent, operations and other specialist requirements.
Array Ventures Invests
Services, expertise, execution capability and agreed resources.
The Startup Uses
Approved service credits against defined business and execution needs.
Both Sides Align
Array Ventures receives equity and participates in the long-term value created.
SCOPE OF SUPPORT
What Service Capital Can Support
Strategy &
Business Planning
Business model, market strategy, GTM, operating plans and milestone roadmaps.
Product &
Technology
Product planning, MVP, technology strategy, development support and digital execution.
Design &
Brand
UI and UX, brand strategy, identity, websites, communication and market-facing assets.
Marketing &
Growth
Customer acquisition, growth planning, campaigns, content, sales enablement and market development.
Finance &
Fundraising
Financial models, valuation, investor materials, readiness, pitch coaching and fundraising support.
Talent &
Operations
Talent strategy, specialist resources, processes, business systems and operating support.
Indicative Service Capital Structure
₹5-50 Lac
Indicative value of service
investment
5%-25%
Indicative equity
range
6-24 Months
Typical engagement
period
The final structure depends on the startup, stage, valuation, service requirement, milestones, due diligence and agreed scope. All commercial and legal terms are documented before the engagement begins.
THE BENEFITS
Why Service Capital Can Work for Early-Stage Startups
Reduce Early Cash Burn
Use equity-linked service investment for critical capabilities that would otherwise consume scarce cash.
Access Specialist Capability
Bring in expertise across multiple functions before building a large internal team.
Accelerate Execution
Move faster on product, market, brand, finance and operating priorities.
Align Long-Term Interests
Array Ventures participates in equity value and has an incentive to help the venture create sustainable value.
Build Funding Readiness
Strengthen the business, evidence, financials and investor materials required for future external fundraising.
ELIGIBILITY
Who Service Capital Is For
Early Stage
Startups at an early stage where capability and execution can materially accelerate progress.
Committed Founders
Strong founding teams with meaningful commitment to building the venture.
Scalable Opportunity
A credible market opportunity with the potential to build a meaningful business.
Differentiation
Innovation, defensibility or meaningful differentiation from existing alternatives.
Execution Fit
A venture whose key needs match capabilities Array Ventures can provide or coordinate.
Operating Responsibility
Founders who can fund expenses outside the agreed Service Capital scope and operate transparently against milestones.
Preference may be given to startups with two or more full-time co-founders, depending on the nature and stage of the venture.
OUR CRITERIA
What We Evaluate
Fundraising is a process, not a pitch deck. We help startups build the investment case, prepare the evidence, reach relevant investors and navigate the process from readiness through negotiation and closure.
Founders
Commitment, capability, integrity, complementary skills and ability to execute.
Problem &
Solution
Assess the business, evidence,
traction, financials, risks, data and documentation investors are likely
to evaluate.
Relevance of the problem, clarity of the solution and evidence of customer need.
Market
Market size, growth potential, customer segment and competitive dynamics.
Differentiation
Innovation, defensibility, advantage and ability to sustain value.
Business
Model
Revenue model, economics, scalability and path to a sustainable business.
Validation &
Traction
Evidence from users, pilots, customers, revenue, repeat behavior or other meaningful market signals.
Funding
Path
Capital requirements, milestones, future fundraising potential and capital efficiency.
Array
Fit
Whether Array Ventures can create meaningful value through its capabilities, network and execution support.
THE PROCESS
Application and
Selection
Apply
Share the startup, founders, stage, market, traction, funding position and support required.
Initial Review
We assess basic eligibility, strategic fit and whether Service Capital is appropriate.
Founder Discussion
Selected founders discuss the business, current needs, priorities and long-term goals.
Pitch & Evaluation
We evaluate the founders, opportunity, market, business model, evidence and execution requirements.
Due Diligence & Structuring
We agree the scope, service credits, milestones, valuation approach, equity structure and terms.
Engagement
Array Ventures begins the agreed support and works with the founders against defined milestones.
Service Credits
and Equity
The agreed service investment is made available as service credits against an approved scope of work. The credits are used for agreed Array Ventures services and capabilities during the engagement period.
Equity participation is structured based on the venture, agreed service value, valuation, milestones and engagement terms. The exact structure is determined case by case and documented through the appropriate agreements.
Funding Beyond
Service Capital
Service Capital does not provide cash to the startup. Where appropriate, Array Ventures can help portfolio startups become investor-ready, develop financial models and investor materials, identify relevant investors, facilitate introductions, support negotiations and navigate the external fundraising process.
Service Credits
and Equity
The agreed service investment is made available as service credits against an approved scope of work. The credits are used for agreed Array Ventures services and capabilities during the engagement period.
Equity participation is structured based on the venture, agreed service value, valuation, milestones and engagement terms. The exact structure is determined case by case and documented through the appropriate agreements.
Funding Beyond
Service Capital
Service Capital does not provide cash to the startup. Where appropriate, Array Ventures can help portfolio startups become investor-ready, develop financial models and investor materials, identify relevant investors, facilitate introductions, support negotiations and navigate the external fundraising process.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Service Capital is an investment model where Array Ventures provides agreed services, expertise and execution capability in exchange for equity.
No. The investment is delivered through agreed services, expertise, execution capability and resources.
No. Service Capital is selective and focused on early-stage startups where Array Ventures believes its capabilities can create meaningful value.
No. The approved scope covers agreed services and capabilities. Other operating expenses remain the startup’s responsibility.
The current indicative service investment range is ₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh, subject to evaluation, scope and final agreement.
The current indicative range is 5% to 25%, depending on the venture, valuation, service investment, milestones and agreed structure.
A typical Service Capital engagement may run for approximately 6 months to 2 years, depending on the scope and startup stage.
Yes. Where relevant, Array Ventures can support fundraising readiness, investor materials, investor introductions, negotiation and the fundraising process.
GET STARTED
Ready To Build With Service Capital?
If you are an early-stage founder building a scalable venture and need execution capability more than another vendor relationship,
tell us what you are building and where you need support.
