IIT Mandi Catalyst: Himachal Pradesh’s first Technology Business Incubator. Launched May 15, 2016 by Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala. 600+ startups supported, ₹24.7 crore funds disbursed, 115+ currently incubated, 3,870+ jobs created, 215+ awards. Success: Dharaksha Ecosolutions (Shark Tank India), Leopan Motors…
Villgro: What Impact Founders Should Know About India’s Pioneer Social Enterprise Incubator
Villgro Innovations Foundation: Founded 2001 by Paul Basil. India’s oldest social enterprise incubator. Current CEO: Srinivas Ramanujam. 387 startups supported, 20.8 million lives impacted, ₹4.7 billion raised, 8,175 jobs created. Top Incubator Award 2020 (DPIIT), DivHERsity Award 2022. Focus: Healthcare,…
WeFounder Circle: What Founders Should Know About India’s Largest Angel Network
WeFounder Circle: Founded 2020, Mumbai. Co-founders: Neeraj Tyagi (CEO, passed away Aug 18, 2025), Gaurav VK Singhvi, Bhawna Bhatnagar, Vikas Aggarwal. Team 63 people, 8 partners. 134 startups invested. 1 IPO (TradeUNO), 1 acquisition (Flatheads). 7,000 angels, 80+ countries. Investment:…
Rainmatter: What Founders Should Know About Zerodha’s Patient Capital Fund
Rainmatter: Founded 2016 by Zerodha founders Nithin Kamath, Kailash Nadh. Bengaluru-based. Team 17 people, 2 partners. 159 startups invested in 11 years. 1 unicorn (CRED). 36 investments 2025, 5 in Feb 2026. Latest: PensionBox majority stake $2M Feb 11, PadCare…
ISB DLabs: What Founders Should Know About ISB’s Startup Incubator
ISB DLabs: Incubation and acceleration arm of Indian School of Business. Founded 2015, Hyderabad. Supported by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. 36 startups invested, 3 exits (Sirona $53.6M to Good Glamm Group 2021). Seed average $127K. Programs:…
100Unicorns: What Founders Should Know About This Early-Stage Accelerator (2026 Guide)
100Unicorns: Rebranded from 9Unicorns May 2024. Part of Venture Catalysts Group. Mumbai-based, founded 2020. Presence 6 countries. Team 37 people, 16 partners. Portfolio: 175 startups, 2 unicorns (Shiprocket, Niyo), 13 exits. Notable: BluSmart, Videoverse, Trunativ, Zypp Electric, Renee Cosmetics, IGP.…
JioGenNext: What Founders Should Know About Reliance’s Startup Accelerator (2026 Guide)
JioGenNext: Startup accelerator backed by Reliance Industries and Jio Platforms. Founded 2013. Led by Amey Mashelkar. 170 startups incubated since 2017 across 16 cohorts. 79 raised funding, 21 acquired. 12,153 applications processed. 30 corporate partners, 90+ mentors. No equity taken.…
What Founders Should Know About IIMA Ventures (2026 Guide)
IIMA Ventures: Formerly CIIE (Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship). Founded 2002 at IIM Ahmedabad. Incorporated 2007-08 as Section 8 company. Department of Science and Technology Centre of Excellence. 364 companies invested 17 years, 13 new investments yearly, 19 in…
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: Complete Guide for Early-Stage Founders (2026)
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): Government initiative supporting early-stage startups. ₹945 crore total outlay 2021-2025. Target: 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators. Announced PM Modi January 16, 2021. Notified January 21, 2021. Funding: Up to ₹20 lakh grant for proof…
India Accelerator: What Founders Should Know About This Fund-Led Accelerator (2026 Guide)
India Accelerator: Multi-stage, fund-led startup accelerator. Founded 2017, Gurugram HQ. 264 companies invested over 9 years. 19 new investments annually last 5 years. 2 unicorns in portfolio: Stage, Ola. Recent exits: 4 IPOs, 5 acquisitions. January 2026: AquaAirX raises ₹12.5…