Hi {first name},

It is hard to believe we are already in October. Between the incredible energy from our latest AMA sessions and the meaningful conversations across our community, I’m feeling deeply inspired by the momentum we’re building together.

In this newsletter, I will share curated industry updates, highlights from recent events, and an invitation to keep the conversation going, including this month’s BIG Question, which I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on.

As always, thank you for reading and for being a part of this growing, curious, and action-oriented community.

The BIG Business Blueprint™: Highlights of October’s Startup Growth Playbook Sessions

October kicked off with two energizing recorded sessions focused on helping startup founders refine their concept and business strategies.

We covered everything from improving your conversion funnel to accessing angel investors and venture capital with confidence and authenticity. The insights were practical, the takeaways actionable, and the sense of shared ambition contagious.

Oct 15: Unlocking Angel & Venture Capital for Founders

​​Most small business owners know about loans and grants. But far fewer know how to raise money from angel investors and venture capital.

​In this interactive session, I outlined:

​✅ The difference between loans/grants vs. angel & VC funding

​✅ What investors prioritize when evaluating businesses

​✅ How to craft a compelling business pitch

​✅ A readiness checklist before meeting investors

Oct 1: How to Convert Early Users Into Paying Customers

We explored practical tactics to help you convert early users into paying customers, even without a sales team or full product in place.

​In this session we discussed:

​✅ Why early users aren’t converting—and what to do about it

​✅ How to design a simple, founder-led conversion journey

​✅ Trust-building strategies that work without ads or funnels

​✅ Real-world examples from seed-stage tech startups

If you missed this month’s live sessions, you can still watch the latest recorded session and catch all the key insights.

In Case You Missed It – The BIG News Highlights

Here is a selection of industry stories worth your attention this month, all shaping the conversations that matter most for business and innovation.

Last month's reactions to the BIG question

Most of the respondents believe one of the biggest opportunities for fintech and AI lies in helping SMEs and startups access transition finance, i.e. the capital they need to move toward more sustainable business models — and I could not agree more.

Right now, smaller companies are under high pressure to decarbonize*, yet most can’t afford the tools or financing to do it. In fact, SMEs account for over 50% of global emissions, but fewer than 10% track their carbon footprint. And the global financing gap for formal MSMEs in emerging markets is estimated at around USD 5.7 trillion, with the gap even higher if informal businesses are included.

This is where fintech and AI can make a real difference; by automating carbon accounting, using AI-driven credit scoring based on real data, and linking sustainability metrics directly to financing.

We are always seeing it happen: Biz2Credit and Magnati are rolling out $1 billion in AI-powered SME loans. When fintech meets sustainability, small businesses can finally lead (not lag) the green transition.

*Despite the priority shift on decarbonization at a federal level, the public continues to advocate for companies to take sustainability seriously and take climate-focused actions.

This Month’s BIG Question

Your responses always spark news ideas and help shape future topics. And, as always, all responses remain confidential. I will explore the most popular theme in next month’s newsletter.

Reflections from New York Climate Week

At the end of last month, I had the opportunity to speak at a panel on “Climate and Social Impact Investments: A Personal Finance Dialogue” during New York Climate Week. It was a privilege to join Manju Seal and other leaders shaping the conversation around how capital can drive real, lasting impact.

Drawing from my experiences on Wall Street and at Wallet Max™, I shared why founder-investor fit matters just as much as product-market fit when it comes to building purposeful, resilient growth. We engaged in an action-focused discussion on aligning personal investments with climate and social impact goals. The session offered practical guidance on integrating sustainability into personal finance — from structuring portfolios and identifying credible advisors to managing long-term risk and return.

The discussion was a powerful reminder that impact investing is ultimately about people; the founders we back, the investors we collaborate with, and the communities we aim to strengthen.

Take the Next Step in Your Career. Explore the Executive Edge Expeditor™ Mastering Negotiations Course

Leadership isn’t about having the right title; it’s about making decisions that matter. The Executive Edge Expeditor™ offers a suite of lessons focused on critical leadership skills necessary for effective executive performance in today’s dynamic business environment.

Each lesson is crafted to stand alone:

• allowing you to engage with the material in any order,

• depending on your immediate needs and interests.

Reflecting on my three decades in corporate America and entrepreneurial leadership, I’ve designed this program to focus on what actually works: improving negotiation skills, thinking strategically, and running teams and projects more effectively with practical scripts, and templates to handle several business and individual negotiation scenarios. Just frameworks you can use.

It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and approach your next level of leadership with intention.

The BIG Blog Digest

Still time for some reading? Here are the articles that will interest you for this month.

Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to our next connection, whether through this newsletter or at the upcoming events.

Onward and upward,

Bhuva Shakti, Founder of Wallet Max and Bhuva’s Impact Global.

Let’s collaborate, send me your ideas! https://www.bhuvas-impact.global/contact