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Tag: WTFund

  • Nikhil Kamath Announces the Second Cohort of WTFund: Meet the 22 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs Shaping India’s Future

    After receiving an overwhelming response from young entrepreneurs across the country, the WTFund unveils its latest cohort of 9 groundbreaking startups, reaffirming its mission to fuel the next generation of risk-takers.

    Bengaluru, February 13, 2025: WTFund, India’s pioneering initiative for entrepreneurs under 25, led by investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, has unveiled its second cohort of 22 trailblazing founders. WTFund provides up to Rs 20 lakh in grant funding, along with mentorship and strategic partnerships, to help startups scale their impact. 

    By democratizing access to opportunities, WTFund has become a launchpad for first-time founders, fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and learning. Committed to bridging critical gaps in India’s startup ecosystem, it continues to empower young entrepreneurs to build, grow, and succeed on a global stage.

    “Entrepreneurs can build at any age, but there’s something about being young—the audacity, the relentless energy, the willingness to take risks before the world tells you otherwise. WTFund exists to fuel that spirit. More than just capital, founders need a launchpad—access to mentorship, networks, and the freedom to execute big ideas. With Cohort 2, we’re backing founders who aren’t just dreaming of change but are actually building it. The future belongs to those who take the leap, and we’re here to make sure they don’t have to do it alone.” said Nikhil Kamath.

    From Vision to Impact: The Founders Leading Cohort 2

    WTFund attracted applications from 50+ cities, spanning all tiers and remote areas, reflecting the depth of India’s entrepreneurial talent. The second cohort brings together solutions across Tech/SaaS, D2C, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and CleanTech, driving innovation at scale.

    The applications also demonstrated that a clear mobile-first mindset runs across all tiers – Tier 1 startups are pioneering AI/ML-driven B2B solutions, while Tier 2 and 3 founders are building vernacular-first B2C innovations tailored for India’s diverse markets. These entrepreneurs are not just solving local challenges but creating globally scalable solutions, proving that India’s grassroots innovation is ready to make an impact on the world stage.

    The second cohort showcases nine exceptional startups, each bringing innovative solutions poised to make a significant impact. They include: 

    Startup

    Description, Founders, SDG Alignment, and Impact

    Nasadya
    (H2ive)

    Founded by Chaitanya Gulati, Subhechchha Paul, and Suhani Mohan, Nasadya develops advanced solid-state hydrogen storage solutions for safer, more affordable, and more efficient industrial energy use. 

    SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy – Enabling widespread adoption of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel.

    InnerGize

    Founded by Shalmali Kadu, Sidharth Bhargava, and Mitansh, InnerGize offers a wearable device that reduces chronic stress and anxiety using non-invasive technology. 

    SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being – Making mental wellness accessible with a clinically validated, on-demand relaxation tool.

    Armatrix

    Founded by Vishrant Dave, Prateesh Awasthi, and Ayush Ranjan, Armatrix develops industrial robotics, including flexible robotic arms for hazardous environments. 

    SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure – Enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency in high-risk industries.

    Drnk

    Founded by Raj Thakkar and Aryan Gandhi, Drnk provides affordable specialty beverages with a strong community-driven brand experience. 

    SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production – Redefining the beverage industry with sustainable, healthier options for Gen Z and Millennials.

    Neoperk

    Founded by Satyendra Gupta, Neoperk is an AI-powered soil testing solution that improves agricultural productivity and sustainability. 

    SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Helping farmers reduce input costs and increase yield quality by 15-20%.

    ReferRush

    Founded by Vikram Pai and Rohan Verma, ReferRush is a multi-channel referral program platform for eCommerce brands. 

    SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth – Driving sustainable business growth through AI-powered customer engagement.

    Modus AI

    Founded by Sunit Gautam and Somesh Lund, Modus AI is an AI-driven fraud detection system for financial institutions. 

    SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions – Enhancing financial security with automated fraud risk assessment.

    Bytes

    Founded by Aayush Kumar and Prakhar, Bytes offers an AI-powered Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) for two-wheelers. 

    SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being – Reducing road accidents by improving two-wheeler safety.

    Ai.gnosis

    Founded by Raksheet Jain and Divyansh Mangal, Ai.gnosis is an AI-based developmental screening tool for early autism detection. 

    SDG 4: Quality Education – Enabling early intervention for neurodivergent children, improving long-term outcomes.

    About WTFund

    WTFund is a fund designed to empower young entrepreneurs under 25 by providing early-stage grants, mentorship, and resources. Led by Nikhil Kamath, WTFund backs founders solving critical real-world problems across sectors like health tech, energy transition, AI, and space tech, helping them scale without immediate dilution pressures. WTFund’s vision is to democratize access to funding and foster a new generation of bold, risk-taking entrepreneurs shaping India’s future.

    Nikhil Kamath Biography: Zerodha’s Dropout Billionaire | Net Worth | Education | Personal Life
    Explore the extraordinary story of Nikhil Kamath, the self-made entrepreneur and founder of Zerodha, as he turned his trading passion into a billion-dollar success story. Explore the success story of Nikhil Kamath, his early life, personal life, his education, family background, childhood, age, career, parents, investments, and much more. Know more about him on Nikhil Kamath Wikipedia.
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  • Nazara Tech and Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund are Investing in Two New Gaming Startups

    On November 15, Nazara Technologies and Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund promised to invest a total of INR 2 crore in two gaming firms, Xigma Games and Norian Games. In order to improve India’s reputation in the international gaming industry, they are investing in the next generation of domestic gaming companies. According to a joint announcement from the companies, Norian Games and Xigma Games will receive financial support as well as access to mentorship and strategic direction as a result of this investment.

    According to Kamath, this fund is a first step towards helping businesses that have established themselves with their inventive games, and he said that he is very excited to watch them continue to push their boundaries.

    WTFund was Launched to Nurture Young Entrepreneurs

    The establishment of the WTFund, a non-dilutive grant-agnostic fund aimed at fostering young entrepreneurs under 25, was announced by Kamath in April. By investing in entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, the fund helps them grow. Nitish Mittersain, the founder of Nazara Technologies, added that the multifaceted gaming and sports media company is dedicated to developing India’s future gaming talent. “Aldian of Ancients,” a dinosaur survival simulation game for PC and console, is being developed by Norian Games, a startup based in Kerala.

    In the meantime, the Bengaluru-based game development company Xigma Games has published games like “The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands” and “The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores,” which together have received over 10 million downloads. The games are presently accessible on Steam, the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store. “Metal Haven,” the studio’s most recent release, is a sci-fi action-strategy game that can be played for free.

    India’s Gaming Market

    According to Niko Partners, a market research and consultancy organisation that focuses on video games, e-sports, and streaming in Asia, India is the fastest-growing gaming market in the region in terms of both revenue and players.

    In 2024, it is anticipated that the combined revenue from mobile, PC, and console gaming will reach $943 million, an increase of 13.6% from the year before. According to the report, the market is anticipated to generate more than $1 billion in sales by 2025 and $1.4 billion in 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.1% over the next five years. These numbers exclude export and real-money gaming income.

    The online gaming industry is having problems because of the regulatory ambiguity under the IT Amendment Rules, 2023, according to Aruna Sharma, a Practitioner Development Economist and former secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This is because the establishment of self-regulatory bodies (SRB) was only partially completed, and there is no central regulatory authority to address the industry’s concerns. Furthermore, it is challenging for respectable domestic and foreign gaming businesses to run efficiently because of the absence of distinction between games of skill and games of chance.

    The industry has been severely impacted financially by the GST hike from 18% to 28% as well as punitive tax applications. Taxation has been a major issue for the sector, according to Parth Chadha, co-founder and CEO of STAN. Owing to this, numerous online gaming businesses were forced to close their doors and lay off employees.

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  • Zerodha Co-founder Nikhil Kamath Launches ‘Innovators Under 25’

    Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath introduced the ‘Innovators Under 25’ at the most recent WTFund Summit in Mumbai. An inaugural event was held to celebrate the establishment of WTFund, the first non-equity grant fund in India, to support innovation among entrepreneurs under the age of 25. Jeet Adani, Kishore Biyani, Nithin Kamath, Jay Kotak, Ananya Birla, and Shashwat Goenka were among the notable individuals who attended the event.

    WTFund’s Initial Group of Trailblazers

    Kamath introduced the first round of WTFund grantees at the summit; they were fifteen entrepreneurs from fields as diverse as healthcare, artificial intelligence, and sustainable consumer goods with ambitious ideas. To drive innovation and challenge conventional businesses, the program seeks to equip young minds with the resources they need.

    The role of young entrepreneurs in creating India’s future was highlighted by Kamath. Anyone, from 25 to 80 years old, may be an entrepreneur and create the next great product. “But, come on, the enthusiasm, determination, and boldness usually come more naturally when you’re younger,” he said.

    To support nine startups now and nine thousand young businesses tomorrow, Kamath said, “We’re dedicated to building an India that isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside our comfort zones.” He went on to say that he hopes to aid thousands of startups in the future. Whoever decides to build their own aspirations instead of helping someone else realize theirs will lead India in the coming decade. The diversity of India’s innovation landscape is on full display among the fifteen grantees.

    Assistance Extending Beyond Monetary Grants

    With non-equity awards of up to INR 20 lakh, WTFund provides more than only financial aid. The young entrepreneurs learn from established professionals in the field while keeping complete control of their companies. This direction, together with access to accounting and legal services, and strategic alliances with industry heavyweights, provides them with the groundwork they need to expand their firms.

    Beyond providing financial support, Kamath wants the fund to help young entrepreneurs grow their businesses and have a positive impact on the sector. With the help of WTFund’s resources, these innovators will be able to conquer the obstacles of startup life and set themselves up for sustained success.

    The WTFund Summit marks a fresh chapter for India’s startup scene, bringing together influential Indian businesspeople to support the country’s aspiring innovators. The fund paves the way for game-changing innovations in many different fields by providing essential funding to young entrepreneurs.

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