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
Mayank Jain
Managing Partner & CEO
ThinKuvate
Piyalee Chatopadhya
Global Program Manager
TiE
Santosh Kumar
Director
SPJIMR WISE Tech
Mihir Joshi
Managing Director
GVFL
Pratekk Agarwal
Founder & GP
GrowthCap Ventures
Sharat Chandra
Founder
EmpowerEdge Ventures
Monica Jasuja
Chief Expansion and
Innovation Officer
Emerging Payments Association Asia
Ritu Soni
Co-Founder
The Light Bulb
Shek
Superteam India
Nehal Thaker
First Founder and Mentor
Aaken Academy
Rohan Shah
Founder
Hedweeg
Program Partners
