The Foundery Venture Builder Cohort 02
By The Foundery
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Quick Answer
An intensive 90-day residential venture builder program that forges entrepreneurs into co-founders and builds consumer businesses with up to ₹4 crores in capital.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹4 Cr
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- The Foundery
- Application deadline
- 26d — 18 Oct 2026
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this funding program
The Foundery is a unique venture builder designed to forge entrepreneurs into successful co-founders and build ground-breaking companies from the ground up. Unlike traditional accelerators or incubators, The Foundery operates on an intensive 90-day residential model where selected co-founders collaborate with experienced operators and specialist teams. The program is specifically structured to take a business from an initial thesis to a market-ready launch.
This initiative is a joint venture by WTF Media and Think9, bringing together a powerful network of industry leaders and mentors. Noteworthy figures like Kishore Biyani, Nikhil Kamath, and Ronnie Screwvala are associated, alongside mentors such as Rajan Anandan and Arjun Vaidya. The Foundery's model integrates ideas, capital, infrastructure, and seasoned operators in a single, immersive environment. It draws concepts from its "Idea Vault" or welcomes existing early-stage business ideas, providing the necessary capital to transition from thesis to launch.
The program emphasizes clarity through guidance from experienced builders and fosters a strong community among co-founders. A culture of pace, pressure, and trust is instilled to facilitate effective and rapid company building. Its environmental pillars focus on "Story" for brand and consumer strategy, "Speed" leveraging AI and technology, and "Spine" for scaling and infrastructure development, ensuring a holistic approach to venture creation.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Funding providers
WatchTower and Friends (WTF) is a tech accelerator that is pursuing its vision of building a startup ecosystem that will raise an ever growing number of successful startups. Operating under the tagline 'We Start Things', WatchTower and Friends initiates lines of actions that…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹4 Cr
What You Get
Selected co-founders receive substantial support to build their ventures. Each business is eligible for up to ₹4 crores in equity capital from The Foundery, specifically allocated to support the 0-to-1 journey of bringing a business from concept to launch. The ownership structure is equity-bearing, where co-founders collectively own up to 25% equity in the newly formed company, augmented by a 5% MSOP (Management Stock Option Plan) pool and an additional 5% ESOP (Employee Stock Option Plan) pool for the broader founding team. The Foundery or its associated vehicle retains the remaining equity (approximately 65-75%). During the mandatory 90-day residential phase, co-founders also receive a stipend to cover their personal expenses, ensuring they can focus entirely on venture building. Post-residency, successful businesses gain access to robust fundraising support and The Foundery's extensive investor network, including participation in the annual Foundery FWD investor showcase, to secure further investment and growth capital.
- Duration
- 3 months
- Cohort size
- 30 startups
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for The Foundery Cohort 02 is rigorous and multi-staged, designed to identify individuals with exceptional entrepreneurial potential and a strong founder mindset. The journey begins with an initial Application Form submission, followed by a mandatory AI Interview and a Task Submission. Candidates who successfully navigate these initial filters proceed to a comprehensive Panel Interview conducted by The Foundery's leadership and associated experts.
A significant stage in the selection is the 5-day In-person Bootcamp, held at The Foundery Sanctum. This immersive experience allows the team to assess candidates' collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and fit within the venture-building environment. The bootcamp is crucial for final evaluation. Historically, the program has seen high competition, with over 38,000 applicants for Cohort 01, from which only 30 were ultimately selected. Final Selection is made after the bootcamp, and successful candidates are invited to join the 90-day residential venture build.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application Form
Complete the online application form with personal and professional details.
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Foundery?
The Foundery is a venture builder, not a traditional accelerator or incubator. It partners with individuals to build companies from scratch, providing ideas, capital, infrastructure, and expert operators during an intensive 90-day residential program.
What kind of businesses does The Foundery focus on?
The program focuses on consumer businesses across categories like beauty and personal care, health & wellness, fashion and lifestyle, food and beverage, and consumer tech, targeting areas ripe for reinvention in everyday Indian life.
Do I need a business idea to apply?
No, you do not need an existing business idea. The Foundery provides concepts from its "Idea Vault," though early-stage existing ideas are also welcome. The selection is based on your co-founder mindset and ability to build.
What is the funding amount and equity structure?
Each selected business can receive up to ₹4 crores in equity capital. Co-founders typically own up to 25% equity, plus a 5% MSOP pool and a 5% ESOP pool for the founding team, with The Foundery or its vehicle retaining the remaining equity (approx. 65-75%).
Is the residency mandatory?
Yes, the 90-day residency in Alibaug, India, is fully residential and in-person, requiring mandatory physical presence. Accommodation, meals, and workspaces are provided.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of ₹5,000 + GST, payable after submitting the application form and before the AI interview. There are no additional fees for the bootcamp or residency.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
