Summary of this article
GIFT City launches accelerator for women-led fintech startups
Programme focuses on investment readiness and institutional funding access
Hybrid format offers mentorship, investor connects and scaling support
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) on Thursday announced the launch of 'Women in Fintech Accelerator' under the GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT IFIH) to strengthen the participation of women-led startups in India's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) ecosystem.
"The initiative is designed as an investment readiness programme to help women-led fintech ventures access institutional capital in a better way and scale their operations. It will address key challenges, such as limited access to investor networks, gaps in fundraising preparedness, and structural barriers within traditional funding ecosystems," it said in a release.
GIFT IFIH has been over the past years actively supporting fintech innovation through structured programmes and ecosystem partnerships, having supported 37 startups across segments, including digital banking, regtech (regulatory technology), insurtech (insurance technology), and cross-border financial services, building a strong pipeline of high-growth ventures within GIFT City, it said.
"GIFT City is committed to fostering a globally-competitive financial ecosystem that encourages innovation, inclusivity and entrepreneurship. Through initiatives, such as the Women in Fintech Accelerator, we aim to support high-potential women-led startups with the capabilities and access required to engage with institutional capital and scale sustainably," Managing Director and Group CEO of GIFT City Sanjay Kaul said.
The accelerator will follow a hybrid format, beginning with an in-person immersion at GIFT City focused on investment readiness, followed by a virtual phase with curated investor engagements.
Participating startups will receive structured mentorship, investor matchmaking opportunities, and one-on-one interactions with relevant capital providers, it said.
The programme is expected to contribute to a more diverse and resilient fintech ecosystem by enabling stronger linkages between founders and investors, while improving the quality of investment-ready startups emerging from GIFT City, the release said.
With this launch, GIFT City continues to deepen its focus on innovation-led growth, strengthening its role as a global fintech hub and a platform for inclusive entrepreneurship within India's evolving financial services landscape, it said.
