In a bold move to redefine entrepreneurship in India, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and retail pioneer Kishore Biyani have joined forces to launch The Foundery. Positioned as a high-octane “co-founder factory,” the initiative is a residential business launchpad designed to take startups from raw concepts to investible companies in just 90 days.
Departing from traditional academic models, The Foundery functions as a hybrid between a venture studio and an elite accelerator, prioritizing rapid execution over classroom lectures.
A “Pressure Cooker” for Innovation
The program operates out of a dedicated residential campus where participants live and breathe their business ideas. For three months, aspiring founders work alongside seasoned operators and domain experts to validate products, test market fit, and structure their companies.
The incentive structure is designed to attract high-caliber talent: participants who successfully build a venture through the program retain up to 25% equity in the company. Furthermore, startups that hit specific milestones are eligible for seed funding of up to ₹4 crore, providing the necessary runway to scale immediately after the program ends.
The Mentorship Powerhouse
The Foundery leverages a formidable network of India’s most successful business leaders. Mentors providing strategic guidance include:
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Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm)
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Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal/Titan Capital)
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Mithun Sacheti (CaratLane)
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Varun Berry (Britannia)
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Rama Bijapurkar (Market Strategist)
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Aakrit Vaish (Haptik)
Beyond Business: The School of Life
Recognizing that the “founder journey” is as much a psychological challenge as a commercial one, the program introduces a unique “School of Life” track. This curriculum focuses on decision-making frameworks, mental resilience, and the psychology of leadership—equipping founders with the internal tools required to navigate the highs and lows of the startup world.
Selection: Mindset Over Pedigree
The Foundery is looking for “builders,” not just “thinkers.” The selection process intentionally disregards formal credentials and polished pitches. Instead, it uses multiple evaluation rounds to identify:
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Problem-Solving Ability: How an individual tackles real-world friction.
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Execution Thinking: The ability to move from idea to action quickly.
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Resilience: The grit to pivot and persist through failure.
The program is open to a wide demographic, including early-stage entrepreneurs, mid-career professionals looking for a pivot, and first-time founders.
The Finish Line
Each 90-day cohort concludes with a high-stakes Demo Day, where the newly minted startups pitch to a curated group of top-tier investors. With plans to run multiple cohorts annually, The Foundery aims to become a consistent engine for Indian innovation, turning the “startup dream” into a repeatable, disciplined process.
By: Sandhya Bharti
