Incubate Your Fintech Startup from Idea to MVP to PMF
The Residential Program is a six-month zero-fee zero-equity incubation program designed for early-stage ventures ready to transition from idea to MVP to Product-Market Fit.​
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Hosted at GIFT IFIH in Gujarat and powered by Plug & Play, this hybrid incubator combines in-residence collaboration, global mentorship, and investment-readiness support. Whether you're a final-year student, recent graduate, or a first/second-time founder, this program is built to take you from idea to market success.
Program Element
Structured Support:
From ideation to validation with weekly check-ins, workshops, and goal-setting
Mentorship:
Connect with fintech experts, investors, and corporate partners
Network Access:
Plug into a global ecosystem through Plug & Play APAC
GIFT City Edge:
Build your startup in one of India’s premier financial hubs
On-Site Experience:
3-month residency at the GIFT IFIH campus
Stipend Support:
Participating founders will receive a stipend during the incubation program to support their journey
Program Benefits
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Essential Startup Skills to validate, pitch, build, and scale a fintech startup
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Structured Curriculum to take you from idea to MVP to PMF
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Industry Access to regulators and corporate and government partners
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Ecosystem Access across the globe to mentors, enablers, and events through both GIFT IFIH and Plug & Play
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Expert advice on the fintech and regulatory landscape, with a focus on GIFT City’s unique offerings
Structured Startup Program
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Potential to get investment from GIFT IFIH for all participating startups
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Introductions to investors for funding opportunities through our network and VC partners
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Stipend to offset living expenses during the residency period
Funding & Monetary Support
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Complimentary office space at GIFT IFIH campus
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Partner subscriptions for free or at preferential rates
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Access to GIFT IFIH partners:
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Banking products at preferential rates
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Community partner
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Access to admin and other services (legal, incorporation, HR, etc.)
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Lifelong access to Plug and Play's network across 20+ countries
In-Kind Support
Program Timeline
01
Application & Onboarding
May–August 2025
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Applications Open: 9 May – 15 June [CLOSED]
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Shortlisting: 26 May – 27 June [COMPLETED]
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Final Selection & Onboarding: 22 – 30 June [COMPLETED]
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Relocation to GIFT City: 1 – 30 July
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Orientation & Mentor Matching: 31 July – 3 August
02
Residency Phase
August–October 2025
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Residency at GIFT IFIH Campus (Foundation Building 1 & 2)
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Weekly sessions: PMF review, idea refinement, roadmap building
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Assigned mentors and regular check-ins
03
Validation Phase
November–December 2025
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Off-campus execution and GTM strategies
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Bi-weekly check-ins on traction, sales pitch, and customer acquisition
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Pitch polishing in December
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Optional events in India/Singapore
04
Demo Day
January 2026
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Gift IFIH annual Expo
Program Mentors
Abhishek Kothari
Founder & CEO
Fab Money
Arjit Bhargava
Devika Gupta
Investment Professional
Edgewater Partners
Addison Appu
Managing Partner
ThinKuvate
Arun Diaz
Independent Director
Multiple companies
Dilip Krishnan
CEO & President
Vatic AI
Aditya Mittal
Partner
Fintech Global Center
Ashutosh Dubey
Senior Vice President
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Hardik Jain
Founder
The Works
Archin Shah
Entrepreneur and Investor
Pedagogy and OneCase
Deepak Kumar
Co-founder & CEO
Slyds
Jitesh Agarwal
Founder
Treelife
Program Partners
