GIFT City Launches Second Fintech Residential Programme!
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has officially launched the second cohort of its Fintech Residential Programme, designed to support early-stage startups developing next-generation financial technology solutions .
📊 Programme Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Period | June 9 – July 5, 2026 |
| Programme Duration | 6 months |
| Residency | 3 months in-person at GIFT City |
| Virtual Support | 3 months online |
| Target Stages | Idea, pre-product, MVP, early-validation |
| Delivery Platform | GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT IFIH) |
🎯 Focus Areas
The programme targets startups working across critical domains in financial services, including:
- Cross-border finance
- Security, risk, and compliance
- Web3 and blockchain infrastructure
- GovTech and RegTech
- Digital assets and financial infrastructure
💡 What Startups Gain
Selected participants will receive comprehensive support to accelerate their growth:
- Direct mentorship from industry experts and fintech leaders
- Regulatory exposure through GIFT City’s unique IFSC ecosystem
- Access to investors and strategic partners
- Stakeholder engagement with financial institutions and regulators
- Ecosystem integration within India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
🏆 Building on Success
This second cohort builds on the inaugural programme, which successfully supported 11 startups with structured mentorship, product development assistance, and investor connectivity .
GIFT IFIH was established in January 2025 as a dedicated platform for fintech incubation and acceleration. Multiple portfolio startups have already leveraged regulatory frameworks within the IFSC ecosystem, including the IFSCA FinTech Innovation Sandbox and obtaining Payment Service Provider (PSP) licences .
📈 Long-Term Vision
Over the next four years, GIFT IFIH aims to support 250 fintech startups, contributing to a globally competitive innovation ecosystem anchored in GIFT City .
“The convergence of finance, technology and regulation is creating new opportunities for innovation across the financial services sector. Through the Fintech Residential Programme, we aim to support founders developing solutions for domestic and global markets while leveraging the unique ecosystem available at GIFT City.” — Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director and Group CEO, GIFT City
🚀 Why This Matters for Startups
GIFT City offers a regulatory sandbox environment that is distinct from the rest of India, operating under the IFSCA framework. This allows fintech startups to innovate with fewer regulatory friction points, making it an ideal launchpad for startups targeting cross-border payments, digital assets, and global financial infrastructure.
Startups working on solutions for cross-border payments, regulatory compliance, Web3 infrastructure, and digital finance will find this programme particularly valuable.
How to Apply: Eligible startups can submit applications through the GIFT IFIH platform. The application window closes on July 5, 2026 .
#GIFTCity #Fintech #Blockchain #Web3 #GovTech #RegTech #IndianStartups #InnovationEconomy #TechInIndia
SUMMARY
🏦 GIFT City Launches Second Fintech Residential Programme!
GIFT City has announced the second cohort of its Fintech Residential Programme, designed to support early-stage startups working in fintech, blockchain, Web3, RegTech, and GovTech.
💡 The initiative will provide startups with:
- Mentorship from industry experts
- Access to the ecosystem including investors and regulators
- Opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders across financial services and technology
📊 The programme is expected to strengthen India’s fintech innovation landscape and attract entrepreneurs developing next-generation financial technology solutions for both domestic and global markets.
🚀 With this second cohort, GIFT City is positioning itself as a hub for financial technology innovation, bridging startups with policy frameworks and global opportunities.
GIFTCity #Fintech #Blockchain #Web3 #GovTech #RegTech #IndianStartups #InnovationEconomy #TechInIndia #InvestorConfidence
“By bringing together startups, regulators, financial institutions, investors and industry experts, we are creating an environment that enables innovation, collaboration and responsible growth,” Kaul added. (ANI)
Vision for Innovation and Growth
Commenting on the launch, Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director and Group CEO, GIFT City, said, “The convergence of finance, technology and regulation is creating new opportunities for innovation across the financial services sector. Through the Fintech Residential Programme, we aim to support founders developing solutions for domestic and global markets while leveraging the unique ecosystem available at GIFT City,” Kaul said.
