Business

Entrepreneur Zain Kheraj Strikes Success With New Startup

Published

5 years ago

August 25, 2020

There’s a saying, ‘The enemy of innovation is comfortable complacency.’ Zain Kheraj lives by this motto. A dream is at the heart of any innovation. Zain’s dream was to be an entrepreneur. To live this dream, however, he first had to switch tracks: He had to leave his ‘day job,’ a job which was predicated on an earned University degree. Just as it took an inner drive to earn a degree, eventually changing life tracks required a constant, inner drive. This innate, strong, personal drive has paid off for this young entrepreneur, who now owns and runs multiple businesses, including TrustMySystem (TMS) – a sports consulting and analytics company.

Zain comes from an immigrant family where the prevailing expectation was to get a good education, enabling him to find a corporate job, and thus, to begin building a career path. He did start on that path, having earned a degree in finance at the University of Georgia, followed by securing a position at Berkshire Hathaway. Though he worked at this “great company” for nearly three years, he and his brother had started a side-business during that same time period. That side-business proved to be an awakening for Zain. At that three year mark, he could not leave Berkshire Hathaway, while also responsibly attending to the way of his heart! He, along with his brother, found that the true “master” to serve – their hearts – were embedded in entrepreneurship. “We chose to leave great companies in which we both had great stable futures to go all out on our passion. It was incredibly risky,” Zain mentioned.

During his three years at Berkshire Hathaway, while being a sports fanatic all his life, Zain recognized a gap in the sports betting market – a need for more transparency. So upon leaving his former profession, he and his brother, Farhaz, founded TrustMySystem (TMS). The company is grounded in providing its clients with all the facts, so they can make informed decisions, instead of doing what many handicappers do, and that is, to show you what they want you to see.

With TMS, they wanted to separate themselves from the competition by providing consistently great customer service in a professional and honest manner. This combination of passion, hard work, and transparency has netted them a lot of attention – especially from competitors who are quick to follow in their innovative footsteps. “We are trendsetters in our industry. Usually, when we start a product or a marketing campaign, others are quick to follow,” Zain added.

Despite the initial hesitancy from his parents in fully supporting Zain, the Atlanta-born entrepreneur managed to start up a real estate business and several other small businesses in addition to the TrustMySystem startup. Instead of focusing all his energy on one company, Zain continues to expand his portfolio and skills. He is currently involved in a number of real estate projects, and also hopes to break into the fast-food market. Currently, Zain hopes to open up his own chain of fast-food restaurants – something he has always been excited to try.

There’s a saying, “Where your treasure is, so will your heart be also.” For Zain, that treasure intimately involves the customer. Zain recently explained to aspiring entrepreneurs: Winning is about helping others, and with that, comes a customer-centric approach. He insists that it’s important to always keep things professional by making customer needs and queries a top priority and to stay focused on all the relevant details, to ensure that they are getting quality service.

Zain says that even if everything he had tried had failed, he wouldn’t have regretted a thing. Because he knew it was important to follow his aspirations and see where they could possibly lead.

If you want to know more about Zain and his company, you can follow his company’s Instagram page @trustmysystem and have a look at their website trustmysystem.com.

Business

Spynn’s PR Playbook for Startups Turning Funding into Market Leadership

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Byline: Jennyfer Ann Valencia

The recent funding boom in India, where startups raised over $428 million between March 10 and March 15, 2025, reinforces the critical role of public relations (PR) in securing investor confidence and enhancing visibility. As competition intensifies, effective PR strategies help startups differentiate themselves and build a strong market presence.

Spynn, a PR agency for startups specializing in securing top-tier media coverage, enables startups to craft compelling narratives that attract investors and maintain a positive brand image.

The Role of PR in Startup Funding

A recent survey conducted by Spynn found that startups with a strong PR strategy are significantly more likely to secure funding rounds than those without. According to the research, nearly 70% of investors say media visibility and brand credibility helped their decision-making process. This highlights PR’s direct impact on a startup’s ability to attract investment.

PR helps startups articulate their value to investors by securing media coverage and highlighting their growth potential. High-profile placements lend credibility and set up startups’ potential, making them more attractive to investors. For instance, a well-publicized success story from a startup like Zolve, one of the top funding recipients, can drive further investor interest and strengthen its brand.

India’s funding surge spans sectors including Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. While this presents opportunities, it also brings scrutiny. Startups must manage their reputations effectively, ensuring consistency in their messaging across media platforms. As a PR agency for startups, Spynn’s expertise in reputation management helps businesses navigate these challenges by maintaining a cohesive brand identity and reinforcing investor trust.

Establishing Credibility Through Media Placements

Research from Spynn also revealed that startups that get featured on Forbes, Business Insider, and other top-tier publications experience a 50% increase in inbound investor inquiries within six months. This shows the value of securing strategic media placements to reinforce credibility and market positioning.

Strong media coverage bolsters a startup’s credibility, reinforcing its market positioning and investor confidence. Spynn ensures startups secure coverage in authoritative outlets, helping them establish themselves as thought leaders. Beyond initial publicity, Spynn focuses on building long-term relationships with media, ensuring sustained visibility and brand consistency.

Spynn’s CEO, Matteo Ferretti, emphasizes the role of storytelling, “Effective PR is about coverage and creating narratives that resonate with audiences. Startups must highlight their unique value and demonstrate how they solve real-world problems.”

PR for Growth and Global Expansion

Spynn’s data indicates that startups leveraging international PR strategies are twice as likely to successfully attract foreign investors and expand into new markets. Media coverage tailored for global audiences enhances cross-border recognition and facilitates partnerships, making PR an essential tool for growth beyond domestic markets.

As Indian startups scale, a strong PR strategy facilitates global recognition. Spynn’s international media reach helps startups gain traction in new markets and attract foreign investors. This is especially crucial for sectors like Fintech and Edtech, where global expansion is key to success.

A well-executed PR strategy strengthens a startup’s digital footprint, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across platforms. Matteo Ferretti highlights the importance of balance, “A successful PR approach integrates both digital and traditional media to maximize impact and audience engagement.“

Ethical Considerations and Future Trends

Transparency and ethical storytelling are vital in PR. Startups must ensure authenticity in their messaging to build lasting trust. Spynn upholds ethical PR practices that align with principles of sustainability and integrity.

Indian startups must adapt to evolving PR trends, including AI-driven outreach, digital media dominance, and deeper media relationships. As competition grows, startups that take advantage of PR will have a better standing for long-term success.

Spynn’s PR strategies equip Indian startups with the tools to navigate funding surges, enhance credibility, and drive growth. By securing impactful media coverage and managing reputation effectively, startups can strengthen investor confidence and expand their market presence. As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, PR remains an indispensable asset for sustained success.