That line captures Tanuj Shori’s entire philosophy on fundraising.
Square Yards didn’t start by pitching VCs.
Not because capital wasn’t available — but because conviction had to come first.
Before asking anyone else to believe, Tanuj and Kanika went all in themselves.
Selling their own homes.
Even selling their parents’ homes.
Only after they were fully invested did they approach others — not institutions, but people who knew them well.
Former bosses. Professional colleagues. Mentors.
When asked who his first investors were, Tanuj’s answer is simple:
“My first 10 investors were my ex-bosses.”
That order mattered.
Skin in the game first.
Trust-based capital next.
In this episode of The Blume Podcast, Karthik Reddy speaks with Tanuj Shori about conviction-led entrepreneurship, why Square Yards was built without chasing VC money, and how belief precedes capital.
🎧 Watch the full episode for a deeper look at the values that shaped Square Yards from day one.