Now Open

2025–26 Cohort

DARE

TO BUILD

something big.

The Galgotias Innovation Fund backs the boldest student and alumni founders with structured capital, world-class mentorship, and institutional muscle. We don't fund ideas — we fund builders.

GIF · Fund Snapshot

MVP Minimum Entry Bar

2+ Co-founders Required

25% Min. Equity for Alumni

12M+ Alumni Operating History

Applications Open Now

★ Cohort 2025–26

Explore

MVP Required

2+ Founding Members

Scalable Business Model

Structured Capital

Expert Mentorship

Institutional Backing

Alumni Traction Required

25% Equity Threshold

Innovation-Driven Focus

MVP Required

2+ Founding Members

Scalable Business Model

Structured Capital

Expert Mentorship

Institutional Backing

Alumni Traction Required

25% Equity Threshold

Innovation-Driven Focus

About GIF

We Back
the Daring

The Galgotias Innovation Fund (GIF) is built for high-potential student and alumni startups ready to scale. We provide structured capital, mentorship from operators who've built before, and institutional credibility to unlock doors that funding alone cannot open.

We don't just write cheques. We partner with founders already in the arena — building, shipping, and proving their vision with real users and real traction.

💰

Structured Capital

Tailored funding designed for early-stage ventures — not a one-size-fits-all grant.

🧭

Expert Mentorship

Seasoned founders, investors, and domain experts who've built real companies.

🏛️

Institutional Backing

Galgotias University's network opens doors that capital alone cannot.

🚀

Scale Support

GTM strategy, corporate tie-ups, and incubation infrastructure to grow fast.

We nurture founders who dare to be bold — not just build businesses, but shape entire industries.

— Galgotias Innovation Fund Mission

100+Startups Incubated

GIFStructured Fund

2Founder Tracks

Eligibility Criteria

Who Qualifies
for GIF?

Two distinct tracks — one for current students building their first venture, one for alumni who've proven early traction.

🛠️

MVP Ready

A working prototype or product must exist. Idea-only applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

👥

Minimum Two-Member Team

At least two committed co-founders required. Solo founders are not eligible at this stage.

📈

Scalable Business Model

The venture must demonstrate potential to scale beyond a small or local operation, with a clear market opportunity and growth pathway.

💡

Defined Revenue Model

A clear monetisation strategy is required — including customer segments and pricing approach.

👑

Founder / Co-Founder Status

Applicant must be a Founder or Co-Founder — not an employee or advisor.

⚖️

25% Minimum Equity

Applicant must hold at least 25% equity ownership in the startup at the time of application.

📅

1-Year Operating History

The startup must be operational for at least 12 months prior to application submission.

📊

Demonstrated Traction

At least one of the following:

Paying customers
Revenue generation
Active user base
Signed LOIs or pilot deployments

🗺️

Strong Revenue & Growth Plan

Clear 18–24 month roadmap, defined expansion strategy, and unit economics visibility are all required.

What We Love to See

Preference
Given To

These aren't requirements — they're signals. Founders who check these boxes move faster through our evaluation.

01 / 04

✓

Early User Validation

Startups with pilot customers, early adopters, or real user feedback already in hand.

02 / 04

✓

Full-Time Commitment

Founders who plan to build full-time post-graduation — not as a side project or hobby.

03 / 04

✓

Technology-Enabled Models

Innovation-driven businesses where technology is core to the product or delivery mechanism.

04 / 04

✓

National or Global Opportunity

Ventures solving problems at scale — aligned with high-growth national or global market areas.

REJECTED

No MVP or working prototype

Idea-stage only applications are immediately disqualified — no exceptions.

Internal team disputes

Unresolved co-founder conflicts or misaligned founding team dynamics.

Inflated valuation expectations

Unrealistic asks unsupported by traction, market data, or credible benchmarks.

Unclear fund utilisation plan

Founders who cannot articulate exactly how GIF capital will be deployed.

Legal, compliance, or regulatory red flags

Any unresolved legal issues, IP disputes, non-compliance with company law, or regulatory violations.

Application Process

Four Steps to Funding

Step 01

Submit Application

Complete the online form with team details, startup overview, and supporting documents.

Step 02

Initial Screening

GIF team reviews eligibility criteria. Shortlisted applicants notified within 14 business days.

Step 03

Pitch & Due Diligence

Shortlisted founders present to the GIF panel. Deep-dive due diligence follows the pitch.

Step 04

Funding Decision

Final investment decisions communicated. Onboarding into GIF ecosystem begins immediately.

Applications Open Now

Ready to
Build Big?

The 2025–26 cohort is open. If you have an MVP, a committed team, and a clear vision — GIF is built for you.

Free to apply

14-day response time

Galgotias students & alumni only

Apply for
GIF Funding

Complete the form below. Be honest, be specific. We're looking for real builders — not polished pitches.

Your Track

Tell us who you are and which programme you're applying under.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Mobile Number*

Applicant Track*

Programme / Course*

Enrollment Year*

Graduation Year*

Your Equity % in Startup*

Startup Info

Tell us about what you're building and how it makes money.

Startup Name*

Industry / Sector*

Current Stage*

One-Line Description*

Problem You're Solving*

Your Revenue Model*

Team & Traction

Your team is your most important asset. Show us what you've already built.

Number of Co-founders*

Your Role*

Co-founders (Names & Roles)*

Current Traction*

Paying Customers

Revenue Generated

Active User Base

Signed LOIs

Pilot Deployments

MVP Only

Key Metrics / Numbers

Vision & Fund Use

Where are you taking this? How will GIF's backing make the difference?

18–24 Month Growth Roadmap*

How Will You Use GIF Funding?*

What Makes You Different?*

Pitch Deck / Website Link

Anything Else?

🎉

Application Submitted!

We've received your application for GIF 2025–26. Our team will review and get back to you within 14 business days.

We Backthe Daring

Who Qualifiesfor GIF?

What GetsYou Rejected

Four Steps to Funding

Ready toBuild Big?

Apply forGIF Funding

We Back
the Daring

Who Qualifies
for GIF?

What Gets
You Rejected

Ready to
Build Big?

Apply for
GIF Funding