At the recent WTFund Summit, held in Mumbai, Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, unveiled ‘Innovators Under 25.’ The occasion marked the launch of WTFund, India’s first non-equity grant fund, dedicated to fostering innovation among young entrepreneurs under 25. The event brought prominent figures including Jeet Adani, Ananya Birla, Nithin Kamath, Jay Kotak, Shashwat Goenka, and Kishore Biyani, among others.
WTFund’s First Cohort of Innovators
At the summit, Kamath unveiled the inaugural cohort of WTFund grantees—fifteen entrepreneurs with bold ideas spanning industries such as healthcare, AI, and sustainable consumer goods. The initiative aims to empower young minds with the necessary resources to drive innovation and disrupt conventional industries.
Kamath emphasised the importance of youth-driven entrepreneurship in shaping India’s future. “Entrepreneurs are ageless; you can build the next big thing whether you are 25 or 80. But, let’s face it—the energy, drive, and sheer audacity often come easier when you’re young,” he stated.
Kamath expressed his ambition to support thousands of startups in the future, remarking, “From our dream of funding 9 companies today to aiding 9,000 young companies one day, we’re committed to building an India that isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside our comfort zones. The next decade belongs to India, and it will be driven by those who choose to build their own dreams rather than helping someone else realise theirs.”
The fifteen grantees come from a variety of sectors, showcasing the breadth of innovation taking place in India. Selected startups include:
- Pamawel: Plant-based, non-steroidal, FDA-approved pain relief formulations targeting menstrual pain.
- Mars: Virtual Workstations that eliminate hardware limitations, providing affordable solutions for creators and builders in AI and no-code spaces.
- Oh! Nuts: Premium, healthy nut-based snacks tailored for the growing Indian consumer market.
- Pawsible Foods: Sustainable, plant-based pet food utilising Kavaka
mycoprotein. - RNT Health Insights: AI-assisted diagnostic software for gastrointestinal cancer detection.
- Biocompute: Affordable DNA data storage chips, revolutionising data centre efficiency.
- CallPrep: AI-based B2B SaaS for sales preparation, integrating LinkedIn, CRM, and buyer intent data.
- Urban Animal: India’s first dog DNA testing service, redefining pet care.
- Pixa AI: AI-enhanced plush companions, merging the toy and AI companionship markets.
Support Beyond Financial Grants
WTFund offers more than just financial assistance, providing up to INR 20 lakh in non-equity grants. The young entrepreneurs retain full ownership of their businesses while receiving mentorship from industry leaders. In addition to this guidance, they gain access to legal and accounting assistance, as well as strategic partnerships with leading companies, giving them a solid foundation to grow their businesses.
Kamath’s vision for the fund goes beyond financial backing, with a focus on empowering young entrepreneurs to scale their ventures while making meaningful industry contributions. The resources provided by WTFund are designed to enable these innovators to overcome the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship, preparing them for long-term success.
The WTFund Summit, with its gathering of prominent Indian business leaders and a focus on fostering the next generation of innovators, signals a new era for India’s startup ecosystem. By offering critical support to young entrepreneurs, the fund sets the stage for transformative advancements across a wide range of industries.
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