No pitch decks.
No PR spin.
Just founders telling it straight.
Everyone has an opinion on funding. Very few have lived both sides of it.
At COC – Community Over Competition, we believe the fastest way to grow is to learn from people already building — not from those who've turned their journey into a highlight reel.
So we built a session around exactly that.
"This is the conversation that usually only happens after the third drink. We're giving it a proper stage."
— Nikhil Sharma, Founder, COC
This session brings together founders who have lived both the bootstrapped and funded path — to share what the brochures never tell you: the real trade-offs, the regrets, the moments they knew they'd made the right call, and the ones they wish they could redo.
Whether you're still figuring out your path or deep into building something — come with your real questions.
No performative answers.
No curated success stories.
Just three founders, two paths, and zero sugarcoating.
Hosted by Nikhil Sharma — serial bootstrapped founder across 4 startups and the creator of COC, now live in Pune and expanding across India.
What's on the table:
· Date: 2nd May 2026
· Absolute Brew Cafe - Andheri West, Mumbai
6:00 pm: Doors open + open networking.
Grab a spot, meet in the room
6:30 pm: Panel: bootstrapped vs funded — the honest version 3 founders, 2 paths, zero sugarcoating
7:30 pm - Open floor: your questions, their real answers. Ask what you'd never ask on LinkedIn
8:00 pm: Mingle + community connections
Find your co-founder, your mentor, your next move
For Collaboration / Sponsorship:
Email us on: nikhileventpreneur@gmail.com / Communityovercompetitionindia@gmail.com / info@nikhilsharmaofficial.com
Whatsaap us on: 9373555783 - For any Queries regarding the Meetups.

