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Build Boldly

Empowering the Next Wave of FinTech Innovation in Odisha. BharatNetra is more than an initiative; it is the global launchpad for financial technology building from Bharat, initiated by the Government of Odisha in partnership with GFTN. From the FinTech Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bhubaneswar, we provide the infrastructure, mentorship, and global network, required to transform local ideas into world-class solutions.

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The FinTech Centre of Excellence 

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Odisha Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar is the heart of the BharatNetra Innovation Hub. Dedicated to driving digital transformation, the CoE provides a high-velocity environment where FinTech and InsurTech ventures receive structured incubation, mentorship, and a direct pathway to market readiness and global access.

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The BharatNetra Startup Incubator is a 3-month, cohort-based programme designed for pre-seed & early-stage startups building for India’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem. The incubator is suitable for FinTech, InsurTech, and HealthTech with embedded finance. 

 

Anchored at the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the programme brings together deep domain learning, hands-on mentoring, and direct ecosystem access to help founders move from idea to market-ready solutions. 

 

With GFTN global platforms, the incubator combines global best practices with a strong Bharat-first lens, enabling startups to build scalable and adoption-ready financial products. 

Cohort 1 begins 9 March 2026. Apply by 16 February 2026.

Meet Cohort 1 of BharatNetra Startup Incubator

On 9 March 2026, we welcomed our inaugural cohort in Bhubaneswar. The 3-month hybrid programme provides founders with the tools and skills to move from MVP to market-readiness. Download the cohort lookbook to find out more about the companies.

Innovation Pathways: Choose Your Track

Our programmes are designed to meet you where you are - from early-stage validation to Series A and onwards.

Incubator

The Incubator Programme is the engine of the Innovation pillar. Run by GFTN as part of the Centre of Excellence, it blends local strengths with international experience to help startups grow faster and smarter. It is a structured 5‑month hybrid programme. 

Designed for early-stage founders to move from ideation to market-ready.

Eligibility Criteria  

- FinTech, InsurTech, Tech with embedded finance preferred
- Incorporated business
- Minimal Viable Product or early traction
- Not more than 18-months from the date of incorporation

 

What the incubator offers:

- Building for Bharat
- GTM strategy
- Enterprise partnerships
- Regulatory environment
- Approaches to fundraising
- Pitch refinement and mock pitch sessions
- Office hours with experts

Accelerator

The Accelerator Programme is a high-velocity launchpad for growth-stage ventures. It provides Series A+ ready scale-ups with a strategic gateway to global markets, institutional capital, and enterprise partnerships. 

Designed for scale-ups with existing traction and annual recurring revenue or raised institutional funding looking for rapid expansion and institutional investment

Eligibility Criteria

- FinTech, InsurTech, Tech with embedded finance preferred
- Incorporated business
- Full-time commitment to the startup
- More than 18-months from the date of incorporation
- Existing revenue and/ or funding raised

What the Accelerator offers:

- Global market access
- Deep-dives with industry-leading mentors
- Investor connect opportunities
- Enterprise partnerships
- Exposure at global FinTech forums

 

Incubator Spotlight: Guided by Industry Experts

Founders don’t just build in isolation; global practitioners mentor them. This hands-on guidance from veteran entrepreneurs and institutional leaders ensures our startups grow faster and smarter.

From Roadshows to the First Cohort

GFTN held roadshows in 4 across Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Bombay, to find India's brightest minds and share about the BharatNetra initiative.

Bharatnetra: One Vision, One Finance, One Future

Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub

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Global Learning

Odisha Trains the Next Generation Global Digital Finance Workforce 

The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore’s Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS-AIDF)* and GFTN, has introduced the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI) a five-month hybrid programme designed to prepare students for the future of finance.

The course blends online learning with two weeks of in-person classes in Bhubaneswar and an eight-week group capstone project with industry partners. With two cohorts each year, the programme will equip 7,000 students over five years with the skills to be industry ready, power financial technology innovation and support the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Odisha and beyond. Participants gain priority access to placement opportunities and global exposure through the GFTN network.

*National University of Singapore is ranked #8 globally and #1 in Asia (QS Ranking 2025)

Global Mindshare

Global Minds Connect at Black Swan Summit India 2026  

The Black Swan Summit India, curated by GFTN, is a forward-looking global forum accelerating the adoption of frontier technologies. The summit, hosted in Bhubaneswar from 5 to 6 February 2026 will convene leading technologists, policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore paradigm shifts in tokenization, AI, quantum computing, semiconductor breakthroughs, and digital infrastructure. ​

Launched this year in Perth, Western Australia, the Summit now anchors the Black Swan Network, GFTN’s flagship multi-location, global platform for collective foresight and international collaboration. ​

Beyond the Black Swan Network, GFTN also convenes a suite of high-impact forums, including Point Zero Forum (Zurich), GFTN Forum Japan (Tokyo), the Inclusive FinTech Forum (Rwanda) and the world’s largest FinTech gathering - the Singapore FinTech Festival. These forums span Asia, Europe, and Africa offering Odisha’s students, professionals and startups a direct gateway into global job pipelines, cross-border venture opportunities, and future-ready digital economy networks.​

 

Global Innovation

FinTech Centre of Excellence at the Odisha Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar 

The Centre of Excellence at the Odisha Technology Center will drive digital transformation and accelerate the growth of Financial Technology and InsurTech startups.  ​

Drawing on GFTN’s international expertise to nurture a robust, future-ready Financial Technology ecosystem, the Centre provides structured incubation and acceleration programmes, mentorship, bootcamps, and market readiness support. Startups gain venture development support with global benchmarking, access to capital and partners, and tailored guidance on business models, compliance, and go-to-market strategies. ​

Global Capability Centre

Odisha to Build a Global Capability Centre (GCC) to Support the Digital Finance Sector

The Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bhubaneswar is designed as a strategic nearshore hub for financial institutions accessing India and the Asia-Pacific corridor. Leveraging the talent pipeline built through the I-GFTCH Global Learning initiative and GFTN’s international network, the Centre offers modern workspaces, advanced digital infrastructure, and integrated business services.

 

More than a cost-efficient model, the GCC enables collaboration among startups, corporates, and innovators, fostering knowledge exchange, accelerating product development, and driving cross-border partnerships that position Odisha as an emerging destination for innovation-driven financial services.  

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Pathways for Every Stakeholder

 

 
Global
LEARNING
Global
MINDSHARE
Global
INNOVATION
Global
CAPABILITY CENTRE
01

Seeking Jobs in FinTech &
InsurTech Sectors
  • Gain job-ready training and certification in FinTech and InsurTech through NUS–AIDF’s 5‑month hybrid programme.

  • Get admitted as a GFTN Global Talent Associate and tap into the GFTN ecosystem for knowledge growth and career opportunities.
  • Boost your visibility with potential employers at the Black Swan Summit India.

  • Discover placement opportunities at the Summit and other GFTN Forums.
  • ⁠Participate and deepen your industry knowledge through startup projects and innovation bootcamps.

  • Strengthen your employability by engaging in hands-on innovation initiatives and community engagement programmes.
  • ⁠Access internships, mentorships, and early career opportunities within global financial institutions establishing a presence in the GCC.

  • ⁠Join India’s expanding role as a key hub in the Asia–India digital economy.
02

Companies Hiring Talent
  • ⁠Leverage on upskilled resource tailored for both local employers and global firms establishing or expanding operations in India.

  • Gain access to a pipeline of NUS–AIDF certified, industry‑ready professionals equipped with relevant, in‑demand skills.
  • ⁠Secure top-tier FinTech and InsurTech talent through exclusive, curated job fair tailored to the summit’s innovation-driven ecosystem.

  • Elevate your employer brand and become a preferred employer for technology and innovation.
  • ⁠Collaborate with high-potential startups to co-create and pilot frontier solutions.

  • Identify and attract talent with scale-up potential to accelerate team strength and growth.
  • Optimise operations within a government-backed ecosystem to ensure efficiency, compliance, and sustainable growth.

  • Leverage a cost-effective talent pool with proven digital finance expertise to accelerate innovation and scale with confidence.
03

Startups Seeking Growth & Collaboration
  • Engage certified graduates and rising professionals with access to structured mentorship and expert resources.

  • Tap into certified graduates and early-stage talent, paired with guided mentorship and curated learning support.
  • Demonstrate high-impact solutions at the Black Swan Summit India and leading international forums.

  • Foster meaningful engagement with policymakers, investors, and capital providers.
  • Identify pathways for industry collaboration and joint solution development.

  • Secure an early-mover position to draw investment and growth capital.
  • Utilise subsidised co-working facilities to scale operations efficiently.

  • ⁠Integrate into a global ecosystem purpose-built for fast-paced startup growth.
04

Global Institutions Expanding Operations
  • Kick-start operations immediately with access to a ready-certified talent pool.

  • Build a long-term pipeline of industry-ready financial & tech professionals.
  • Establish market leadership at Black Swan Summit India.

  • Engage directly with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to drive strategic priorities.
  • Leverage India’s innovation ecosystem to co-develop frontier solutions.

  • Accelerate adoption of next-generation financial technologies in a fast-growing market.
  • Establish cost-efficient operations in a government-backed ecosystem.

  • Scale confidently from India’s strategic position on the Asia–India digital economy highway.

 

Global LEARNING

  • Gain job-ready training and certification in FinTech and InsurTech through NUS–AIDF’s 5‑month hybrid programme.
  • Get admitted as a GFTN Global Talent Associate and tap into the GFTN ecosystem for knowledge growth and career opportunities.

Global MINDSHARE

  • Boost your visibility with potential employers at the Black Swan Summit India.
  • Discover placement opportunities at the Summit and other GFTN Forums.

Global INNOVATION

  • ⁠Participate and deepen your industry knowledge through startup projects and innovation bootcamps.
  • Strengthen your employability by engaging in hands-on innovation initiatives and community engagement programmes.

Global CAPABILITY CENTRE

  • ⁠Access internships, mentorships, and early career opportunities within global financial institutions establishing a presence in the GCC.
  • ⁠Join India’s expanding role as a key hub in the Asia–India digital economy.

Welcome to our company! We are committed to providing top-notch solutions tailored to your needs. Explore our offerings to see how we can help you succeed.

Welcome to our company! We are committed to providing top-notch solutions tailored to your needs. Explore our offerings to see how we can help you succeed.

Welcome to our company! We are committed to providing top-notch solutions tailored to your needs. Explore our offerings to see how we can help you succeed.

Launch of BharatNetra | 22 August 2025, Bhubaneswar

Launch of the NUS-AIDF FinTech and InsurTech Professional Certification Programme | 31 July 2025​

Startup Bootcamp, Jan 2026

Upcoming: BharatNetra Startup Accelerator

While the Incubator focuses on early-stage growth, the Accelerator is designed for scale-ups ready for rapid market expansion and institutional funding.

Kickoff Date: 18 June 2026

Focus: Advanced venture development, enterprise pilots, scaling across states, and institutional fundraising support

Register for the Accelerator and reserve your spot early now

Register for our Startup Programmes

Build FinTech that matters and join Odisha’s journey to become a regional leader in Financial Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BharatNetra Startup Programme a paid programme?
No. The programme does not charge any participation fee.
How does the selection process for the Startup Programme work?
The selection process follows a multi-stage approach for both incubator and accelerator:
Applications → Shortlisting → Founder interviews → Final selection
What evaluation process will be followed?

Applications will be assessed using a weighted evaluation framework based on the following criteria:

  • Scope and readiness of the technology for scaling – 10%
  • Differentiation from existing solutions – 25%
  • Traction in the home market or other emerging markets – 20%
  • Business potential to scale – 30%
  • Other relevant factors as deemed necessary – 15%
What is the programme format?

The BharatNetra Startup Accelerator is a hybrid programme, with approximately 30% in-person engagement and 70% virtual sessions. Across 3 months, there will be monthly 5-day in-person programme, with an in-person demo day in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. All sessions are conducted in English.

Travel and hospitality expenses will not be covered.

What is the participation requirement?
All participants must attend at least 70% of the programmes.
Is there an equity component for participation in the programme?
No equity stake is taken from participating startups.

Connect with us to learn more

Enquire about the programme or partner with us