India Accelerator

India Accelerator is a seed-stage accelerator programme endeavouring to provide 360-degree cross-functional mentorship and funding to entrepreneurs. It is a structured programme that can bring the building blocks for a startup under one roof – the much-needed mentorship, the network, the technology, the peripheral services (like legal, financial, etc), and last but not the least, the capital. 

The programme shortlists startups and enriches them with essential building blocks like capital, competency, peripheral services, and a strong network every six months. It is the only GAN-partnered, mentorship-driven, program in India. IA handholds the selected startups through the 4-month program, and post that, helps channelise the investment in the most effective way.  

The founders laid the foundations of India Accelerator(IA), the leading seed-stage accelerator program in the country, in April 2017, to cater to the high mortality rate within the Indian Startup ecosystem. 

Still in the early stages, the ecosystem is yet to gain maturity and the macro level understanding. 

Realising the need of a meaningful player for startups that can provide them the panoramic understanding of running a business, founder Ashish Bhatia says:

“In India, the opportunities for startups are immense, but so are the challenges. The present market scenario possesses a certain number of obstacles for the Indian business environment that makes it hard for startups to scale up. Right from the initial stage, Indian startups face huge challenges in setting up and building businesses. Scaling of business requires a timely infusion of capital and availability of finance is a huge issue.”

To address the challenge, IA offers a structured program that can bring the building blocks for a startup under one roof – the much needed mentorship, the network, the technology, the peripheral services (like legal, financial etc) and the capital.

According to its website,

"While there is a serious shortage of investment at Seed stage in the country, money should be the least of the reasons for start-ups to apply to an accelerator. In essence, we aspire to create a noble eco-system for the founders to focus, build and grow their start-ups. We are an absolutely Founder-Friendly Accelerator!"

Founded in April 2017, India Accelerator is the leading seed-stage accelerator programme. A part of Global Accelerator Network (GAN), the world's most respected network of accelerators and organisations providing startup support, IA operates short-term accelerator programs (focussed on FinTech, AI, Cyber Security, Health, AgriTech, SME & Social Sector) providing funding, training, mentoring, and connections to startup companies. IA is one of the fastest-growing accelerators in Asia & is on its way to being “India’s most powerful start-up accelerator".

IA has shown remarkable results over the last few years. What differentiates IA from others is its unrelenting focus on growth, on de-risking assumptions, and on helping companies prioritise their customers and product. The philosophy is that if the customers and products are taken care of, everything else will fall into place.

India Accelerator utilises the rich experience of its co-founders, which spans large corporates, technology companies, and startups/early-stage companies to become a unique institution globally, with close to 1200 investors, a portfolio of 130+ companies spanning multiple sectors, working closely with both academia and industry for creating an exceptional entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Cyber Security Accelerator: Cipher is amongst India’s first specialised cybersecurity accelerator. IA supports cybersecurity entrepreneurs with the capital, connections, experience, and expertise from its network of 200+ GAN partners.

AgriKul: AgriKul has been designed to be at the intersection of sustainable agriculture practises, technological innovation and venture capital. A sixteen week structured program that covers the five major aspects of every startups: Agile; Methods; Technology; Culture; and Strategy. 

IA Opportunities Fund: A collaborative effort for investing in seed and early-stage ventures.
IA has been ranked among the Ranked as one of the Top 100 Accelerators across the world & one of the best early-stage players in the country. 

It was recognised as the Best Accelerator in the country by Startup India Mission, a Govt of India initiative. 

IA's rich ecosystem comprises its own Venture Fund (Cat 1/2), iAngels (The Syndicate), Specialised Accelerator Programs led by Industry experts, Corporate Alliances & Partnerships, and close partnerships with State Govts. and Incubation programs for premier Educational Institutes etc.