In a Forbes India cover story, the magazine examines how startup founders have braved the “funding winter” to secure funding for their ventures. The article draws a parallel to the character Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, describing venture capitalists (VCs) as becoming more cautious and conservative in their investments. The story highlights several tech startups that have managed to secure significant funding rounds of at least $50 million, despite the overall decline in funding in 2023. It also emphasizes the shift towards sustainable growth and profitability that has become a priority for startups seeking funding. The article showcases the stories of three founders who have successfully navigated the funding winter: Bizongo, a vendor digitization platform; InsuranceDekho, an online insurance marketplace; and Zepto, a quick-commerce platform.