Frequently asked questions

What is Shrut?

Shrut is a platform for paid one-to-one conversations with vetted senior operators, investors and specialists. Founders and business decision-makers book time with people who have already done what they are trying to do.

Who can book a session?

Any adult aged 18 or over: founders, executives, investors and teams booking through an organisation account. You sign in with a mobile number or email verified by a one-time password.

How are experts vetted?

Every expert is reviewed before their profile goes live: identity, career history and conflicts. A Verified Expert badge means we have confirmed identity and career history.

Badges describe facts. They are not paid for, they are not a ranking, and nobody can buy a listing or a higher position.

What do Operator, Investor, Specialist and Researcher mean?

They describe the kind of experience an expert brings. Operators have run or built a function or a company. Investors back companies. Specialists have deep expertise in a discipline. Researchers study markets and sectors.

How do I book a session?

Choose an expert, pick a slot and session length, and pay. You receive a confirmation by email and SMS with your join link. A booking is confirmed only once payment succeeds.

How do I join?

Use the join link in your confirmation email or member dashboard. Join a few minutes early and allow camera and microphone access when your browser asks. If you cannot get in, see Support.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Yes. Cancel 24 hours or more before the start for a full refund. Rescheduling with 24 hours’ notice is free once per booking. If the expert cancels or does not show, you choose a full refund or a rebooking.

The complete table is in Cancellations and refunds.

How should I prepare?

Write a short brief: your situation, the decision you face, and two or three specific questions. Have the relevant numbers ready. Leave out anyone else’s personal data and anything you have no right to share. The expert reads your brief before you meet.

Can I record the session or use an AI note-taker?

Not without everyone’s prior consent. Shrut does not record sessions. Take your own notes, and if you would like to record, ask the expert first and wait for a clear yes. See Conduct in Sessions.

How can I pay?

You will see the payment options offered by our payment partner at checkout, always in Indian rupees. We never see or store your card or UPI details.

Will I get a GST invoice?

Yes. Every session comes with a tax invoice. If you want your GSTIN on it, add it at checkout before you pay.

My money was debited but the booking is not confirmed

Wait 30 minutes and refresh your dashboard. If there is still no confirmation, the amount is reversed to your original payment method, usually within 5 to 7 business days. Send the transaction ID to Support and we will follow it up.

How long do refunds take?

Refunds go back to your original payment method once approved. Your bank may take a few business days to show them. The rules for each situation are in Cancellations and refunds.

Are sessions confidential?

Yes. Each side keeps confidential what the other shares. Experts must never disclose their employer’s or clients’ confidential information, or unpublished price-sensitive information, and members must never ask for it. See Confidentiality and compliance.

Can experts give legal, tax or investment advice?

Experts share experience and perspective. That is not regulated professional advice. Take independent advice from a licensed professional before you act.

What does the expert see about me?

Your name, role and organisation, and the brief you write. Not your email address or phone number. The details are in the Privacy Policy.

What if an expert behaves inappropriately?

Write to report@shrut.io or use Support. We reply within 24 hours and can pause a profile while we look into it.

Can my company pay for sessions?

Yes. Organisation accounts let an administrator add members and see bookings, invoices and usage, but never what was said. Write to hello@shrut.io to set one up.

Who can become an expert?

Operators, investors, specialists and researchers with substantial first-hand experience that others want to learn from. We look at depth of experience, not job titles. Apply from the Browse Experts page.

How long does review take?

Typically [5 business days] from a complete application. We will tell you if we need anything more.

What does verification involve?

We confirm your identity and career history using what you provide, references and public sources, and we check for conflicts. We tell you what we need before we ask for it.

What is a Founding Expert?

A member of the launch cohort who joined before Shrut opened to the public. The badge is factual. It is not paid for and it is not a ranking.

Do I need my employer’s permission?

Check your employment contract, NDAs and outside-activity policy. If your employer requires approval before you advise, get it before your first session. It is your responsibility, and we may ask you to confirm it.

How do I set my rate?

You set your own rate and offer one or two session lengths. Members see it before checkout. Guidance is in the Expert resource guide.

Can I pay to be featured or ranked higher?

No. Listing, placement and ranking cannot be bought. If anyone suggests otherwise, tell us at report@shrut.io.

What do the badges mean?

Founding Expert: you joined in the launch cohort. Verified Expert: we have confirmed your identity and career history. Matiman speaker: you have spoken at a Matiman event. See Badges and reputation.

Is there a minimum number of sessions, or exclusivity?

No. You set your availability, and you are free to advise elsewhere.

What happens in a session?

The member shares their situation, you ask questions, share how you would approach it from your own experience, and agree next steps. There is a run-sheet in Running a session.

What can’t I discuss?

Never share confidential information of any employer, client or counterparty, unpublished price-sensitive information, or personal data of third parties. Do not give regulated investment, legal, tax or medical advice. See The rules of the road.

What if the member does not show up?

If they do not join within [15 minutes] of the start, the session counts as delivered and you are paid.

May I record a session?

Not without the consent of everyone in it. Shrut does not record sessions.

How much does Shrut charge?

A platform fee of 25% of the session fee. You receive the rest, less any tax the law requires.

When do I get paid?

To your verified bank account, usually within [7 business days] after the session is completed, with a statement. You need a PAN and bank details on file before your first payout.

What about GST and tax deducted at source?

Tax is deducted at source where the law requires, and GST on our platform fee is shown on your statement. Where GST applies to your own services, registering and invoicing is your responsibility. Speak to your chartered accountant.

Can I take a member off Shrut?

Not to avoid the platform fee. For [12 months] after your first session with a member introduced through Shrut, paid consultations with them should stay on Shrut. See Conduct.