GIFT City Launches Young Builders' Program with IFSCA to Nurture Fintech Innovators

Programme Structure and Milestones

The programme will begin with a nationwide application process, following which shortlisted applicants will participate in a two-day FinTech Ideation Hackathon. Following the hackathon, 10 teams will be selected to participate in the residential programme, which will commence on September 1 at GIFT City.

Shortlisted teams will then participate in an intensive eight-week residential programme at GIFT IFIH, where they will engage closely with startup founders, industry specialists, investors, regulators, and ecosystem leaders.

Regulatory Validation and Sandbox Access

Under this programme, the top three startups will secure exclusive direct entry into the IFSCA FinTech Sandbox, gaining a valuable platform to pilot and validate cutting-edge financial innovations in a controlled regulatory setting. Under the Sandbox framework, entities operating in the capital market, banking, insurance and financial services space shall be granted certain facilities and flexibilities to experiment with innovative FinTech solutions in a live environment with a limited set of real customers for a limited time frame.

Ecosystem Support and Mentorship

The Young Builders' Program leverages GIFT IFIH's network of investors, industry partners and mentors, as well as its experience in supporting early-stage startups. The programme seeks to combine innovation with regulatory support and provide emerging fintech ventures with early access to mentors, investors, industry leaders and regulators.

Strategic Goal: Bridging Innovation and Regulation

By bridging innovation with regulatory support, the initiative seeks to fast-track the commercialisation of promising fintech ventures and foster a culture of responsible, future-ready innovation across India's IFSC. These initiatives, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), are poised to change the fintech landscape by fostering innovation, developing a skilled workforce, and strengthening GIFT City's position as a premier international fintech hub.

GIFT IFIH Context and Track Record

Over the next four years, the hub aims to support 250 fintech startups and contribute to the development of a globally competitive innovation ecosystem anchored in GIFT City. The second cohort builds on the success of the inaugural Residential Programme, which supported 11 startups with structured mentorship, product development assistance, ecosystem access, and investor engagement.