STRATEGIC PARTNER
Backed by India's Unified Regulator for Cross-Border Finance
The Launchpad for India's Next Fintech Innovators
The Young Builders’ Program is GIFT IFIH's initiative designed for students, recent graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, and young innovators passionate about shaping the future of financial services through technology and innovation.
The program provides a structured pathway from idea to prototype through a national fintech hackathon, expert-led ideation bootcamps, mentorship, ecosystem exposure, and an immersive residential experience at GIFT City.
Participants will gain hands-on exposure to fintech innovation, emerging technologies, financial infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and product building while engaging with industry leaders, startup founders, regulators, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Program Structure
2-Day Hackathon + 2 Months in GIFT City
The Young Builders’ Program is designed as an 8-week builder journey that takes participants from idea to prototype through structured learning, mentorship, industry exposure, and an immersive residential experience at GIFT City.
Phase 1
Fintech Ideation Hackathon
Shortlisted applicants will participate in a two-day ideation and innovation sprint designed to help teams refine their problem statements and validate their solutions.​
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Participants will engage in:
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Problem discovery workshops
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Design thinking sessions
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Mentor interactions
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Solution validation exercises
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Pitch preparation support
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At the end of the hackathon, selected teams will be invited to join the Residential Program at GIFT IFIH.
Program Themes
Build solutions that address the challenges and opportunities of financial services over the next 2–5 years
Agentic AI
in Financial Services
Illustrative Opportunity Areas:
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Autonomous Banking
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AI Financial Advisors
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Fraud, Risk & Compliance
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Treasury & Investment Intelligence
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Financial Inclusion
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Next-Generation Customer Experience
Quantum Technology in Financial Services
​Illustrative Opportunity Areas:
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Quantum-Safe Financial Systems
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Portfolio & Risk Optimisation
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Capital Markets & Trading
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Treasury & Liquidity Management
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Cross-Border Payments
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Financial Cybersecurity
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Digital Identity & Trust
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AI + Quantum Applications
Program Benefit
Intensive Onsite Residential Program
An 8-week onsite residential sprint at GIFT IFIH designed to accelerate product development, founder execution, and ecosystem immersion in a high-intensity builder environment.
Stipend & Financial Support
Selected startups can receive support of up to ₹1,00,000 per team tied to milestone completion during the program.
Founder Community
Build alongside a curated cohort of ambitious fintech founders solving meaningful financial infrastructure challenges.
Co-working space
Complimentary access to the GIFT IFIH campus, alongside partner services—including banking products, admin support, legal, incorporation, and HR—available at preferential rates.
Regulatory Immersion
& Access
Hands-on access to the GIFT IFSC ecosystem, including exposure to regulatory frameworks, sandbox know-hows, and ecosystem stakeholders shaping the future of financial innovation.
Investor & Ecosystem Exposure
Opportunities to engage with investors, banking leaders, fintech operators, ecosystem partners, and strategic stakeholders connected to GIFT City.
Specialized Fintech Mentorship
Structured access to fintech founders, domain experts, operators, regulators, and industry practitioners through mentor office hours and ecosystem sessions.
Plug and Play’s Network
Lifelong access to Plug and Play’s global network spanning 20+ countries, including community partnerships, industry connections, and exclusive partner subscriptions.
Priority Access to the IFSCA Innovation Sandbox
The top three hackathon-winning teams will receive priority entry into the IFSCA Innovation Sandbox, providing an accelerated pathway to validate and test their fintech solutions.
Program Timeline
01
Application
July–August 2026
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Applications Open: 21 July 2026
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Applications Close: 16 August 2026
02
Fintech Ideation Hackathon
August 2026
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2 Day Hackathon in GIFT City: 21 August to 22 August 2026​
03
Residency at GIFT IFIH
September–October 2026
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In-person program: 1 September to 30 October 2026
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Orientation Week: 3 September to 4 September 2026
Is This Program for You?
The Young Builders' Program is open to young innovators, builders, and aspiring entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving real-world challenges in financial services through technology, design, and innovation.
AGE
Below the age of 29 years old as of 21 July 2026
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*Born on or after 22 July 1996
ELIGIBILITY
Indian citizen or enrolled in an Indian educational institution
TEAM
Apply individually or with
a team of up to 4 members
MINDSET
Passionate about fintech, entrepreneurship, design, technology, or innovation