In a significant move for India's entrepreneurial ecosystem, two of the country's most prominent business figures have joined forces to create a unique launchpad for early-stage ventures. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and Future Group co-founder Kishore Biyani have officially introduced The Foundery, a residential business accelerator designed to transform startup ideas into funded, market-ready companies.
What is The Foundery?
The Foundery is conceived as an intensive, 90-day immersive experience for aspiring entrepreneurs. Based out of Alibaug, Maharashtra, the program is structured to guide participants through every critical phase of business building. The journey begins with concept development and culminates in investment readiness, with the ambitious goal of creating co-founders of viable businesses within a mere three months.
The core promise of this initiative is to provide Indian startups with the momentum they need in their formative stages. By offering a concentrated, residential environment, The Foundery aims to compress years of learning and networking into a quarter of a year, significantly accelerating the path to launch.
A Powerhouse of Mentorship
The program's potential impact is amplified by the stellar lineup of industry leaders who have come on board as mentors. Participants will gain direct access to the wisdom and experience of founders who have built iconic Indian companies.
The mentor roster includes Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the visionary founder of Paytm; Kunal Bahl, the co-founder and CEO of Snapdeal and Titan Capital; and noted market strategist Rama Bijapurkar. This collective expertise spans fintech, e-commerce, consumer insight, and large-scale business building, offering founders a well-rounded advisory council.
Implications for the Indian Startup Landscape
The launch of The Foundery signals a growing trend of successful entrepreneurs actively investing time and resources into nurturing the next generation. The collaboration between Kamath, from the new-age tech and finance world, and Biyani, a veteran of Indian retail, represents a powerful blend of digital and traditional business acumen.
This initiative is more than just an accelerator; it's a statement of faith in India's entrepreneurial talent. By providing a structured path from concept to funding, The Foundery addresses a critical gap for many early-stage founders who struggle with direction and investor access. The residential model in Alibaug also suggests a focus on deep work and community building, away from daily distractions.
As the program rolls out, the industry will be watching closely to see the caliber of startups that emerge from this high-profile launchpad. The Foundery has set a high bar, and its success could inspire similar models, further energizing India's startup revolution.
