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Day 8 of The Startup Mafia Series: How to Build Your Own "Startup Mafia" Even Without a Fancy Degree If you’re not from IIT, IIM, or YC, does that mean you’ll never succeed in startups? No. But it does mean you’ll have to build your own network from scratch. The good news? Startup mafias aren’t built in classrooms—they’re built in real life. Here’s how you can create your own “startup mafia” even if you don’t have an elite background. 1. Stop Thinking Like an Outsider Most people believe “I don’t have connections, so I can’t succeed.” Wrong. Every founder starts with zero connections. Your job is to create them. Join startup events, hackathons, and accelerators. Engage with founders on Medial, LinkedIn and Twitter (comment, don’t just DM). Provide value first—help people before expecting anything in return. Example: Kunal Shah (CRED) didn’t go to IIT. He built his network by offering smart insights on business, which made VCs notice him. 2. Find Your Inner Circle Startup mafias aren’t just “big investors” and “famous founders.” They start with small groups of ambitious people helping each other. Find 5-10 like-minded people in your city or online. Help each other with fundraising, hiring, and strategy. Over time, you’ll all grow—and so will your influence. Example: The Flipkart mafia (founders of Udaan, PhonePe, etc.) started as Flipkart employees. They built trust by working together before starting their own ventures. 3. Get a Mentor, Not Just an Investor Many founders chase VC money, but smart founders chase the right mentors. Find someone 2-3 levels ahead of you. Offer to help them in small ways (free research, networking). When the time is right, they’ll introduce you to the right people. Example: Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm) didn’t come from a rich background. But he built strong relationships with investors who later backed his vision. The Takeaway Your network isn’t just about who you know today. It’s about who you help grow. Startup mafias aren’t just for the elite. They are built by people who lift each other up. Tomorrow: The Founder’s Relationship Hacks – How to Get Mentors & Investors on Your Side Follow Vishu Bheda now. The next post will reveal the secrets to networking like a top founder.