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.
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.
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.
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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 3‑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
- Minimum 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
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Accelerator
The Accelerator Programme is the launchpad of the engine of the Innovation pillar. Run by GFTN as part of the Centre of Excellence, it provides startups with a strategic gateway to global markets, institutional capital, and enterprise partnerships. It is an intensive, high-impact scaling programme.
Designed for growth-stage ventures looking for rapid expansion and 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
Our Bootcamp Founders
Our first bootcamp in Odisha was a success. Hear directly from our participants on what they learnt, how they were able to grow and continue building their business. This is just the beginning.
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.
Cohort 1 Mentors
Jose Thattil
CEO & Co Founder
PhiCommerce
Abhisek Ghosh
Startup and GIGA Banking
HDFC Bank
Deepak Sharma
Ex-President & Chief Digital Officer at Kotak Mahindra Bank
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Dr. Damodar Sahu
Co-Founder
Data Safeguard
Ganesh Rengaswamy
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Quona Capital
Hitesh Sachdev
Head- Start-up Engagement, Innovation & Investments
ICICI Bank
Hrushikesh Mehta
SVP-Financial Services
ONDC
Joseph Sebastian
Vice President
Blume Ventures
Kartik Poddar
Chief Business Officer
Symbo
Kulin Shah
Co-founder
Onsurity
Lizzie Chapman
Co-Founder
ZestMoney
Manish Lunia
Co-Founder
FlexiLoan
Melissa Frakman
CEO & Founding Partner
Emphasis Ventures (EMVC)
Monica Jasuja
Chief Expansion and Innovation Officer
Emerging Payments Association Asia
Monindro Saha
Principal Consultant
Infosys
Navin Surya
Co-Founder & Strategic Venture Partner
Beams FinTech fund
Ninad Karpe
Partner
100X.VC
Nitin Chugh
Managing Director and Group CEO
Perfios Group
Pratekk Agarwaal
Founder & General Partner
Growthcap Ventures
Pushkaraj Kale
CEO
atQor
Raunak Dembla
Founding Member
Decentro
Sameer Singh Jaini
Founder & CEO
DBS Bank
Sandeep Varma
Platform Head-Digital & Core Banking
DBS Bank
Santosh Patel
Fintech Engagement, Democratising Innovation, Digital Acceleration, Data Monetisation and Solutions, IoT, Mobile Apps
SC Venture
Satish Kashyap
CEO & CO-Founder
DRONAPAY
Saurabh Sinha
Former - Partner
BDO
Sujatha Mohan
BFSI Leader
Tarun Mathur
Head - Strategy and Innovation
Zuno General Insurance (Edelweiss)
Upasna Batra
Director Strategy- CEO Office
PayU
Vijay Khubchandani
Founder & CEO
Seven
Vinayak Hegde
Partner
Brainy Yak Consulting LLP
Yadavendra Tyagi
Founder
EnKash
Jose Thattil
CEO & Co Founder
PhiCommerce
Abhisek Ghosh
Startup and GIGA Banking
HDFC Bank
Deepak Sharma
Ex-President & Chief Digital Officer at Kotak Mahindra Bank
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Dr. Damodar Sahu
Co-Founder
Data Safeguard
Ganesh Rengaswamy
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Quona Capital
Hitesh Sachdev
Head- Start-up Engagement, Innovation & Investments
ICICI Bank
Hrushikesh Mehta
SVP-Financial Services
ONDC
Joseph Sebastian
Vice President
Blume Ventures
Kartik Poddar
Chief Business Officer
Symbo
Kulin Shah
Co-founder
Onsurity
Lizzie Chapman
Co-Founder
ZestMoney
Manish Lunia
Co-Founder
FlexiLoan
Melissa Frakman
CEO & Founding Partner
Emphasis Ventures (EMVC)
Monica Jasuja
Chief Expansion and Innovation Officer
Emerging Payments Association Asia
Monindro Saha
Principal Consultant
Infosys
Navin Surya
Co-Founder & Strategic Venture Partner
Beams FinTech fund
Ninad Karpe
Partner
100X.VC
Nitin Chugh
Managing Director and Group CEO
Perfios Group
Pratekk Agarwaal
Founder & General Partner
Growthcap Ventures
Pushkaraj Kale
CEO
atQor
Raunak Dembla
Founding Member
Decentro
Sameer Singh Jaini
Founder & CEO
DBS Bank
Sandeep Varma
Platform Head-Digital & Core Banking
DBS Bank
Santosh Patel
Fintech Engagement, Democratising Innovation, Digital Acceleration, Data Monetisation and Solutions, IoT, Mobile Apps
SC Venture
Satish Kashyap
CEO & CO-Founder
DRONAPAY
Saurabh Sinha
Former - Partner
BDO
Sujatha Mohan
BFSI Leader
Tarun Mathur
Head - Strategy and Innovation
Zuno General Insurance (Edelweiss)
Upasna Batra
Director Strategy- CEO Office
PayU
Vijay Khubchandani
Founder & CEO
Seven
Vinayak Hegde
Partner
Brainy Yak Consulting LLP
Yadavendra Tyagi
Founder
EnKash
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.
A glimpse of our Roadshows
Startup Bootcamp, Jan 2026
Catch the Bootcamp Highlights
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?
How does the selection process for the Startup Programme work?
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 Incubator and Accelerator are both hybrid programmes. Across 3 months, the Incubator has a monthly 5-day in-person programme, and the Accelerator has a monthly 2-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.
