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Tag: IIMA Ventures

  • The Third Cohort of a Women-Focused Fintech Program is Launched by RBIH and IIMA Ventures

    The third cohort of India’s women-focused fintech program was jointly launched by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and IIMA Ventures. Fintech innovators can use SwanariTM TechSprint 3.0 as a platform to design, create, and scale solutions that cater to the particular financial needs of women. According to Aakarsh Naidu, head of fintech and startups at the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, the cohort seeks to amplify effective solutions that not only improve women’s financial inclusion but also propel their economic empowerment by encouraging innovation and empowering fintech firms.

    Through financing awards, professional mentoring, and other support, the initiative gives companies the chance to develop, improve, and scale their gender-inclusive financial solutions. Applications from entrepreneurs offering gender-focused financial solutions are presently being accepted into the program. In addition to having pre-seed to pre-Series A funding or quantifiable traction, eligible entrants must have a minimal viable product.

    Collaboration Aims to Strengthen Fintech Startups

    RBIH and IIMA Ventures are working together to support fintech companies in their efforts to develop solutions that will support women’s financial inclusion in India. 556 million women are intended to be impacted by the initiative. Startups like Kaleidofin, Merakal, Vitto, Anniyam Payment, MaksPay, and Manipal Business Solution are among the previous program winners. The fintech industry has seen numerous advancements in recent years. For example, digital payment aggregator PayU and Amazon Web Services (AWS) introduced inFINity 2.0, a fintech-focused accelerator program for early-stage Indian startups, in December.

    Other Investments Porgammes

    The business incubator India Accelerator launched its Cohort25 for IT startups, with intentions to invest $8–10 million in the flagship initiative. Accel, a multi-stage venture capital firm that has unicorns in its portfolio that includes Moneyview, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Moglix, announced the fourth batch of its flagship pre-seed investment program, Atoms, earlier in September. Funding raised by domestic fintech firms fell 19% to $2.5 billion in 2024 from $3.1 billion in the same period last year, according to Inc42’s Annual Funding Report, 2024.

    Despite advancements in financial inclusion, women in India continue to encounter barriers to getting financial services that are suited to their needs. “Whether it’s inactive bank accounts, limited savings options, or the difficulty women entrepreneurs have getting credit, the Swanari TechSprint is a call to action for fintech innovators to address these gaps,” said Supriya Sharma, Partner – Insights, IIMA Ventures.

    Previous Cohorts

    Previous cohort winners have included Kaleidofin, Merakal, Vitto, Anniyam Payment, MaksPay, Manipal Business Solutions, Sampatti Card, Haqdarshak, and Agripal. A fully owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) focuses on harnessing innovation and technology to give Indians convenient access to financing.

    Centre to Launch MSME Loan Guarantee Scheme Worth INR 100 Crore
    The Centre will soon introduce an MSME loan guarantee scheme of up to INR 100 crore to boost small and medium enterprises and enhance credit access.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • IIMA Ventures Launches Early-Stage Investor Accelerator

    The Venture Investing Accelerator, an exclusive program for first-time and beginner investors, was developed by IIMA Ventures (previously IIMA-CIIE). Its goal is to equip participants with the information and abilities necessary to flourish in early-stage investing.

    Aspiring and inexperienced investors can get the education and coaching they need to succeed in venture capital through the accelerator program. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from renowned leaders, IIMA professors, and IIMA Ventures partners. They will also receive individualized coaching based on their specific needs.

    Now is a great moment for people to understand how to invest efficiently in venture capital, as this asset class is growing. Supriya Sharma, Partner at IIMA Ventures, stated that the program will provide participants with essential knowledge, practical insights, and guidance from experienced investors and professionals in the field.

    “We aim to create a new generation of savvy investors who can navigate the complexities of early-stage investing and drive meaningful impact in the startup ecosystem,” she stated, drawing on the enormous experience and resources of IIMA Ventures.

    What Does the Program Offer?

    In addition to offering individualized training for individuals establishing their own funds, the program provides a flexible, experience-based approach that allows participants to choose their own milestones and shadow relevant elements of the venture investing process, such as deal scouting, structuring, screening, term sheet draughting, monitoring, and exit preparation.

    Investors in the early stages of a company’s development are its target audience. This includes family offices, micro VCs, and corporate venture offices. A three-day boot camp will be held on the IIMA Campus from August 8-10, 2024, as part of the educational program.

    The difficulties that new investors and fund managers encounter in finding interesting companies to invest in or getting good returns on their investments are highlighted by IIMA Ventures. In order to help new investors make a big splash in the startup scene, the firm plans to draw on its fifteen years of experience as a major investor.

    Startup Scenario in India

    The number of businesses in India is expected to more than double between the years 2020 and 2024, according to data from IIMA Ventures, indicating a phenomenal development in the startup environment. Also, from 2015 to 2022, the number of investors increased by a factor of nine. Startups’ access to funding has been enhanced as a result of government legislation and an increase in capital influx, which have further fuelled entrepreneurial activities in numerous places.

    About IIMA Ventures

    The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) Ventures is an innovation continuum that was formed in 2002 as an entrepreneurship center. Its mission is to study, educate, incubate, accelerate, and invest in early-stage firms, aspiring entrepreneurs, and investors.

    Over a million people have been mentored by IIMA Ventures, which has also been a pioneer in a variety of initiatives, such as India’s first accelerator, idea scouting competition, climate fund, inclusive fintech platform, and Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, an entrepreneurial bestseller. IIMA Ventures has also been responsible for the acceleration of 1,700 startups and the catalysis of 700 companies.

    Startup Accelerator Business Model
    Get an overview of what is a startup accelerator, how it works, its process, business model, efficiency, etc. Read this article to know more about the business plan of a startup accelerator.
    StartupTalkyATHUL C K