India’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem has received a fresh push with the launch of The Foundery, a 90-day residential startup programme co-founded by billionaire entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath and retail industry veteran Kishore Biyani. The initiative is designed to help aspiring founders turn ideas into scalable businesses through hands-on execution, mentorship, and access to early capital.
Positioned as a co-founder factory rather than a conventional accelerator, The Foundery aims to break away from classroom-style entrepreneurship courses and instead focus on building real companies from the ground up. The programme brings together experienced operators, investors, and entrepreneurs to guide participants through the realities of starting and scaling a business in India.
A Hands-On Approach to Building Startups
Unlike traditional incubators that rely heavily on pitch decks and theory, The Foundery follows a learning-by-doing model. Participants will live and work together during the 90-day programme, collaborating in teams to identify problems, validate ideas, build products, and test them in real markets.
The programme is structured to simulate the pressure and pace of real startup life. Founders are encouraged to experiment quickly, fail fast, and pivot when required. This practical exposure is aimed at preparing entrepreneurs for real-world challenges rather than ideal scenarios.
Mentorship from India’s Startup and Business Leaders
One of the biggest strengths of The Foundery is its mentor-led structure. The programme will feature guidance from some of India’s most experienced startup founders, operators, and business leaders across sectors such as fintech, consumer brands, retail, and technology.
Nikhil Kamath has often highlighted the gaps in traditional education when it comes to preparing people for entrepreneurship. With The Foundery, the focus is on developing founder instincts — decision-making under uncertainty, understanding customers, managing teams, and building sustainable business models.
Kishore Biyani’s involvement adds deep operational and consumer-centric insight, especially valuable for startups looking to build for India’s mass and emerging markets.
Funding, Equity and Demo Day Opportunities
Startups created through The Foundery will follow a structured equity model that allows participants to retain meaningful ownership in the ventures they help build. Selected teams that demonstrate strong execution and traction during the programme may receive seed funding of up to ₹4 crore.
At the end of the 90 days, startups will showcase their progress during a Demo Day, presenting to a curated group of investors. This provides founders with visibility, feedback, and the opportunity to raise further capital to scale their businesses beyond the programme.
Who the Programme Is Meant For
The Foundery is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and professionals who want to build startups but lack the right ecosystem or co-founders. The selection process focuses more on mindset, curiosity, and problem-solving ability rather than academic degrees or polished business plans.
This inclusive approach reflects the founders’ belief that strong entrepreneurs can come from diverse backgrounds, not just elite institutions or traditional startup hubs.
A New Model for India’s Startup Ecosystem
As India’s startup ecosystem matures, initiatives like The Foundery signal a shift toward deeper founder development and execution-focused learning. By combining capital, mentorship, and an immersive environment, the programme aims to shorten the journey from idea to viable business.
With plans to run multiple cohorts in the future, The Foundery could play a key role in shaping the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs — builders who are prepared not just to launch startups, but to sustain and scale them in a competitive market.