Entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath has announced the second cohort of WTFund, an initiative dedicated to empowering startup founders under 25.
This year’s cohort features nine selected startups from diverse sectors, including AI, AgriTech, Cleantech, D2C, EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and SaaS, reflecting a growing wave of innovation across India.
The selected startups will receive up to ₹20 lakh in grant funding, along with mentorship, strategic partnerships, and sales and marketing support.
Unlike traditional funding models, WTFund provides these grants with no equity dilution, helping young founders scale their ventures without immediate financial pressure.
According to WTFund, it received applications from over 50 cities, including remote regions, highlighting the increasing interest in startup-building across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The fund also noted that Tier 1 startups are focusing on AI/ML-powered B2B solutions, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 founders are developing vernacular-first B2C innovations tailored to India’s diverse markets.
Sharing his thoughts on the latest cohort, Nikhil Kamath said,
“More than just capital, founders need a launchpad—access to mentorship, networks, and the freedom to execute big ideas. With Cohort 2, we’re backing founders who aren’t just dreaming of change but are actually building it.”
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Meet the 9 Startups in WTFund’s Second Cohort:
- Modus AI (Founded in 2024) – Founded by Sunit Gautam and Somesh Lund in Bengaluru, Modus AI is currently in stealth mode and is building an AI-driven fraud detection system to help financial institutions ensure secure online transactions and reduce financial risks.
- InnerGize (Founded in 2024) – Established by Shalmali Kadu, Sidharth Bhargava, and Mitansh in Mumbai, InnerGize has developed a wearable device that helps reduce chronic stress and anxiety using non-invasive Neuroacoustic Vagal Modulation technology. The startup is backed by AC Ventures, Aman Gupta (boAt), and Ritesh Agarwal (OYO).
- ReferRush (Founded in 2024) – Co-founded by Vikram Pai and Rohan Verma in Bengaluru, ReferRush enables eCommerce merchants to create automated customer referral programs using an AI-powered tech stack.
- Ai.gnosis (Founded in 2024) – Founded by Raksheet Jain and Divyansh Mangal in Jaipur, Ai.gnosis leverages AI to provide early autism detection tools, ensuring better access to therapies, especially in non-metro regions.
- Nasadya (H2ive) (Founded in 2018) – Founded by Chaitanya Gulati, Subhechchha Paul, and Suhani Mohan, this Palo Alto-based startup specializes in solid-state hydrogen storage solutions for safer, more affordable, and efficient industrial energy use.
- Bytes (Founded in 2024) – Founded by Aayush Kumar and Prakhar in Bengaluru, Bytes is tackling road safety by building an AI-powered Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) for two-wheelers, predicting and preventing accidents through camera-based safety solutions.
- Armatrix (Founded in 2024) – Established by Vishrant Dave, Prateesh Awasthi, and Ayush Ranjan in Mumbai, this startup develops industrial robotic arms that can perform complex operations in aviation, oil & gas, and shipbuilding, replacing human labor in hazardous environments. It is backed by Emergent Ventures, GradCapital, and The Foundation for IoT and IoE.
- Drnk (Founded in 2024) – A D2C beverage brand co-founded by Raj Thakkar and Aryan Gandhi in Mumbai, Drnk aims to provide affordable, healthier, and sustainable drinks for the young generation.
- Neoperk (Founded in 2019) – Founded by Satyendra Gupta in Mumbai, Neoperk provides AI-driven soil testing solutions that help farmers increase crop yields by up to 20%, addressing key challenges in Indian agriculture.
Additionally, founders in this cohort will have the opportunity to pitch to high-profile investors, further accelerating their startup journeys.
With a strong focus on AI and sustainability, WTFund is bridging critical gaps in India’s startup ecosystem giving young entrepreneurs the tools they need to bring their visions to life.
