When Vahe Baghdasaryan launched his paywall and monetization consultancy last year, he had no idea how to acquire customers. So the 26-year-old did what any Gen-Z entrepreneur might: he turned to social media.

**"I've built 100+ paywalls generating over $50M across 20 different industry-leading apps,"** Baghdasaryan wrote on X. **"To help you do the same I'm launching the @PaywallsDesign."**

The founder, who has since renamed his New York City-based company Tangent, then offered to design high-converting paywalls for $700 apiece with a **100 percent money-back guarantee**. "If our paywalls don't outperform your current ones," he wrote, "we'll refund your entire payment."

Baghdasaryan says he only had about 1,000 followers on the social media platform at the time, so he was surprised when the post went viral. After seeing it rack up 14,000 views and—more importantly—help Tangent make thousands of dollars in sales in just one day, the founder recalls thinking, **"OK, this is working."**

## Doubling Down on X Strategy

He doubled down on X, starting to post everything from side-by-side paywall comparisons to photos of his girlfriend, Evelin Herrera (who also happens to be a founder). By doing this, Baghdasaryan says he developed an acute understanding of which kind of content gets the most views and which attracts the most potential customers.

An X post that showcases a successful experiment he conducted for a client, for example, "might get 2,000 views, but five or six people would book a call from that one post," he says, **"and I would close two of them."**

## The Breakthrough Partnership

In March 2025, Baghdasaryan made another big breakthrough on X. Using the social media platform's direct messaging feature, he reached out to Will Kent, the co-founder of the fast-growing recipe app ReciMe, and offered to create a paywall for his app at no cost.

Kent agreed, and Tangent's resulting design worked **"really, really well,"** according to Baghdasaryan. Kent then started to recommend Tangent's services to other entrepreneurs in the app-building community.

Baghdasaryan sensed this was another strategy worth investing in. **"I tried to develop similar relationships with other founder customers we have that have very notable networks, and the same thing happened,"** he says. "They started to tell their friends who work at other companies, 'Hey, you need to work with this person.'"

## Scaling the Business

Tangent now charges $800 for one paywall design and offers additional monetization services through two different subscription packages that cost $5,000 and $20,000 per month, respectively.

By using X to build a sales pipeline, Baghdasaryan has gained more than 100 clients in less than a year—**70 percent of which discovered Tangent through founder referrals** and 30 percent of which found it through the founder's social media posts. The company's annual recurring revenue is in the seven figures, according to Baghdasaryan, and it'll make more than $1 million in revenue this year.

**"In my posts, I used to be like, 'DM me to know how to do this,' but I [stopped saying] that—I don't want to be too salesy,"** he says. "I just put it there and people automatically DM me."

Tangent's Vahe Baghdasaryan used a very Gen-Z strategy to build his consultancy.

How a 26-Year-Old Built a $1M Business Using X: The Viral Strategy That Transformed His Consultancy

As Kansas City awakens to a new year, the horizon is alight with innovation. Beyond major events like the FIFA World Cup and stadium developments, a wave of **startups** is poised to redefine the region's entrepreneurial landscape. Startland News has curated a list of 10 emerging companies set to make headlines in 2026, showcasing big ideas from **robotics** and **neuroscience-infused dating apps** to **civic engagement tools** and **AI solutions for education**.

![Startups to Watch Bug](https://www.startlandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/STW26-How-It-Works-Bug-72-161x300.png)

### How the Selection Process Works
This 11th iteration of the Startups to Watch project involved a rigorous three-month process. The editorial team, with input from trusted advisors, reviewed about 70 nominations from **venture capital leaders**, **startup community champions**, and **serial entrepreneurs**. They narrowed down more than 40 semi-finalists to 10 finalists based on criteria like likelihood of making news, **funding rounds**, **product launches**, and **market expansions**. Notably, four companies feature founders with previous multimillion-dollar exits.

### What Makes These Startups Stand Out
Editors focused on startups with a proven track record of open communication and high potential for growth in the next 12 months. This isn't a competition or ranking—it's a **teaser** to elevate remarkable entrepreneurs and unlock new opportunities. Many other promising startups could emerge, but this list highlights those with immediate momentum.

### Meet the 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2026
- **Authentiya**: Puts **ethical AI** to the test in classrooms, helping students embrace controversial tech.
- **CarePilot**: Prescribes more patient time and fewer clicks for doctors as its product line expands.
- **Cyphra Autonomy**: Pairs **robotics** with heavy labor, offering a light lift for job site users.
- **dScribe**: Tracks early momentum with a West Coast-Midwest funding combinator.
- **The Good Game**: Connects young athletes with on-demand sports experts.
- **LAN Party**: Gains steam with nostalgia as a hook, targeting gaming enterprise potential.
- **LODAS Markets**: Unlocks liquidity as timing pays off for the founder's investment.
- **Resonus**: Aims to make local government hear all voices, not just the loudest.
- **Roz**: Uncovers dynamic momentum amid an audit of its shifting opportunities.
- **Sova Dating**: Builds emotional matches using vibes, logistics, and an unexpected viral moment.

### What's Next: A Celebration of Innovation
The showcase continues with a one-night-only awards reception on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Husch Blackwell's headquarters. This event, supported by sponsors like the City of Kansas City and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the **startup community** and its future. For more details, check out Startland News' previous features from 2016 to 2025.

Today Startland News is showcasing 10 emerging companies that editors believe will be among the most newsworthy in the coming months. Their big ideas range from robotics and neuroscience-infused dating apps to civic engagement with local governments and a tool that helps make AI in the classroom a teacher’s pet — not the enemy.

Kansas City's 2026 Startup Revolution: 10 Game-Changing Companies You Need to Know

## AntiNorm Secures Major Seed Funding

New Delhi-based **D2C beauty brand AntiNorm** has successfully raised **INR 28 crore (approximately $3.4 million)** in a seed funding round. The investment was led by **Fireside Ventures**, with participation from existing investors **V3 Ventures** and **Rukam Capital**, both of which increased their earlier commitments.

## Strategic Use of Fresh Capital

With this fresh infusion of funds, AntiNorm plans to deploy the capital across several key areas:

- **Expanding digital and offline distribution platforms** to reach more consumers
- **Strengthening research and development capabilities** for innovative product formulations
- **Scaling direct-to-consumer operations** to enhance customer experience
- **Hiring key talent** across product development, growth, internal R&D, and operations
- **Supporting working capital needs** to maintain inventory of fast-moving products

## The AntiNorm Vision

Founded in 2024 by **Aparna Saxena**, AntiNorm focuses on creating **high-performance, multifunctional beauty and personal care products** designed specifically to simplify daily routines for working Indian women. The brand's mission is to provide effective solutions that save time without compromising on quality.

**Initial product lineup includes:**
- A dry shampoo
- An all-in-one hair cream
- A lip treatment

These products are positioned as **alternatives to multi-step beauty regimes**, offering convenience and efficiency for busy professionals.

## Founder's Perspective

Aparna Saxena shared her vision: "At AntiNorm, our goal has always been to **simplify beauty for women who want results without pressure**. The early consumer response has reinforced our belief that there is room for **functional innovation in everyday beauty**."

## Market Traction and Future Plans

Since its launch, the startup has reported **encouraging early traction**, with rising demand across channels and **double-digit repeat purchase rates month-on-month**. This indicates strong customer loyalty and product satisfaction.

Looking ahead, AntiNorm plans to introduce **up to seven new products over the coming year** across beauty, personal care, and hybrid categories. The focus will be on developing **climate-suited and multitasking formulations** that address specific needs of Indian consumers.

## Competitive Landscape

The Indian beauty and personal care market has seen **growing interest in D2C brands** that address convenience and performance. AntiNorm enters a competitive space that includes established players such as **Mamaearth, Minimalist, Plum, Sugar Cosmetics, and WOW Skin Science**.

This funding round positions AntiNorm to accelerate its growth and innovation in a market that continues to evolve with changing consumer preferences toward **simplified, effective beauty solutions**.

With the fresh funds, the brand aims to accelerate platform expansion, R&D, key talent hiring, and working capital for high-velocity SKUs.

AntiNorm's $3.4M Seed Funding: How This D2C Beauty Brand Is Revolutionizing Indian Women's Daily Routines

## Europe's Together Fund Makes Landmark Investment in Caviar

In a significant move for Europe's independent film and TV sector, the **Together Fund** has completed its first investment by supporting a **management buyout** of Belgium's largest production house, **Caviar**. This deal marks a pivotal moment for the fund, which was launched last year with a mission to bolster European production companies against the growing dominance of integrated audiovisual groups.

### The Deal Structure and Key Players

Under the operation, the Together Fund acquired a **45% stake** in Caviar, partnering with Belgian serial fintech entrepreneur **Jürgen Ingels**. The management team, led by co-founder **Bert Hamelinck**, retains a **55% majority stake**, ensuring continued independence and control. This buyout was triggered when majority shareholder **Telenet**, a Belgian telecommunications group, decided to sell its 70% stake to refocus on its core telecom business.

Alexandra Lebret, co-runner of the Together Fund and former Managing Director of the European Producers Club, emphasized the strategic fit: "It's a beautiful company and what they were asking for and aiming to do in terms of growth was at the core of our strategy." The fund, backed by the **European Investment Fund** and initially capitalized at **58 million euros ($66 million)**, aims to enable European independent production companies to scale and strengthen.

### Caviar's Legacy and Future Plans

Founded in 2005 through the fusion of Flemish companies Rose Are Blue and Pix In Motion, Caviar has grown into an international powerhouse with offices in London, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam. The company is best known for producing the Oscar-winning drama **Sound Of Metal**, along with other notable films like *War Pony* and *Rebel*. Recent projects include *The Best Immigrant*, which is in talks for a U.S. remake, and upcoming U.S. releases such as *Famous*, *Love Language*, and *The Accompanist*.

Hamelinck revealed that Caviar is expecting revenues of **slightly above 200 million euros ($233 million)** for 2025, with an EBITDA of around **9 million euros ($10.52 million)**. The long-term strategy involves doubling revenue through in-house growth and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. The company's umbrella includes subsidiaries like Sputnik and Loom, and it holds a 45% stake in Belgian company Versus Production.

### The Impact on Europe's Independent Sector

This investment is seen as a model for encouraging more **private equity investment** in Europe's film and TV industries. Hamelinck noted, "I think we need a lot more private equity money in our industry in Europe. It's much easier in the U.S. on that side, and we need family offices to believe in this business." He hopes this deal will inspire similar initiatives, leveraging the credibility provided by European support.

The Together Fund, with a 10-year duration, plans to exit investments within three to seven years. Lebret mentioned that other deals are in the works, with new investments expected to be announced this spring, reflecting the diversity of Europe's film and TV scene.

![Caviar Production House](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MixCollage-07-Jan-2026-01-09-AM-7344.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1)

*Image: Courtesy of Jeroen Willems*

Europe's Together Fund Supports Management Buyout of ‘Sound Of Metal’ Production House Caviar With First Investment

How a European Fund's First Investment Saved a Top Production House from Corporate Takeover

Across India's cities and towns, a quiet revolution is underway in the world of sports entrepreneurship. From bustling metro hubs to emerging tier-2 and tier-3 towns, **young entrepreneurs are building profitable cricket businesses** that are transforming how the nation engages with its most beloved sport.

### The Pay-and-Play Model That's Changing the Game

What was once limited to professional academies has now become accessible to everyone. **Commercial cricket centres** allow players to book short sessions without long-term commitments, large grounds, or expensive gear. This simple **pay-and-play model** has created a strong and repeatable business opportunity, especially for first-time founders who can start with minimal investment.

### A Business Model That Actually Works

Many commercial cricket centres across India have been started with an initial investment of **₹5–10 lakh**, typically covering the cricket bowling machine, nets, sport flooring and basic setup. Operators report steady monthly incomes ranging from **₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh** after expenses, depending on location and utilisation. In most cases, entrepreneurs recover their investment in **less than a year**.

The model has proven effective not only in metro cities but also in tier-2 and tier-3 towns, where access to organised recreational sports is limited but demand is strong.

### Real Stories of Entrepreneurial Success

**Prabhakar from Hyderabad** began by gradually arranging funds over several months to buy his first cricket bowling machine. He started small and managed operations himself. Today, he owns multiple commercial cricket centres and has expanded into cricket infrastructure development.

**Sai from Mahabubnagar** wanted to build something on his own without relying on family support. He started a pay-and-play cricket centre that quickly became popular among local youth and working professionals—giving him both financial independence and confidence.

**Nikhil from Gurugram** began with a single commercial cricket net. Consistent bookings encouraged him to expand, and he now operates multiple nets using the same repeatable model.

### The Technology Powering This Movement

At the centre of these businesses is reliable cricket technology. **Leverage Science and Technologies Limited**, a Hyderabad-based sports technology company, is a pioneer and market leader in cricket bowling machines. Today, commercial cricket zones using Leverage machines can be seen in virtually every notable town across India.

The company's **Master Digi Cricket Bowling Machine**, designed for long operating hours and consistent performance, is widely used in indoor cricket, box cricket, and outdoor commercial setups. Many centres also use auto feeders to improve session flow and reduce manpower needs.

Beyond commercial centres, Leverage's professional cricket bowling machines are used by lakhs of cricketers across training academies. The company also supplies advanced cricket simulators installed in high-end game zones and amusement centres across India.

### More Than Just Equipment

Leverage's involvement goes beyond equipment. The company actively guides aspiring entrepreneurs on choosing the right machine configuration, planning layouts, understanding utilisation patterns, and learning from insights gathered across hundreds of operational centres.

### Founder's Perspective

"We've seen young people start with one cricket bowling machine and build stable, profitable businesses around it," said **Partha Pemmaraju**, Managing Director of Leverage Science and Technologies Limited.

"When commercial cricket centres using our machines appear in almost every town across India, it shows this is not a fad—it's a practical, repeatable opportunity. Our role is to help entrepreneurs get it right from day one."

### About the Technology Provider

Leverage Science and Technologies Limited is an Indian sports technology company specialising in cricket bowling machines and advanced cricket simulators. Its products are used across commercial cricket centres, indoor and box cricket setups, outdoor pay-and-play nets, professional academies, and premium game zones across India.

Hyderabad, India — Across India’s cities and towns, a new form of sports entrepreneurship is quietly gaining momentum. From indoor cricket nets and box cricket arenas to outdoor pay-and-play centres, young entrepreneurs are building profitable cricket businesses-often starting small, with...

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