Empowering Youth Entrepreneurship in India
In a significant development for the entrepreneurial landscape of India, Nikhil Kamath today announced the inception of the WTFund, a pioneering non-dilutive grant agnostic fund dedicated to nurturing young, promising entrepreneurs aged 25 and under.
One of the first of its kind, the fund targets individuals who have the potential to revolutionize their industries through innovative ideas and compelling visions. This initiative provides a comprehensive growth platform for emerging founders, creators, makers, and dreamers, offering them financial support and a unique opportunity to engage with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
In support of these exceptional young entrepreneurs, WTFund offers a comprehensive package including a non-dilutive grant of INR 20 Lakh, enabling founders to retain full equity in their ventures. Additionally, the fund provides access to operator-first mentorship pods, a vibrant community through the WTF ecosystem, a Go-To-Market (GTM) studio, beta testing, and feedback opportunities, as well as talent acquisition channels through an internship program, a fractional CXO database, and moonlighting opportunities.
Nurturing Youth Entrepreneurship: WTF’s Vision
Nikhil Kamath of WTF said, “Respecting our elders has been deeply engrained in our culture. But this doesn’t mean we should treat the youth of the country with any less of it. The India of my childhood differs markedly from the country we see today. Back then, the emphasis was on securing stable employment rather than pursuing entrepreneurship and embracing risk. Today, young founders tend to create the most impact within entrepreneurship. At WTF, our goal is to cultivate a culture that encourages young entrepreneurs to embrace risk by providing a comprehensive support system. We are excited to launch the fund and see where it goes.”
Forty young entrepreneurs aged 25 or younger will be selected for funding and mentorship over one year. The fund is searching for the top 1% of young entrepreneurs. These founders will undergo a rigorous screening process and receive tailored support until they secure their first institutional funding. Being the largest grant of its kind, the WTFund is open to investing in all sectors.
The fund will officially launch and accept applications from 15th April 2024 from the WTF Website (www.allthingswtf.com/wtfund)
