Finovate Acceleration Program by IIML EIC

Program Overview

This is a Joint Acceleration Program of IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML EIC) and ICICI Bank, created to accelerate the growth of high-potential fintech and allied startups. The intensive 6-month program offers structured support through expert mentorship, investor connects, capacity-building workshops, and corporate partnerships—all designed to help startups validate, scale, and thrive.

Startups selected for this cohort will benefit from a unique blend of corporate backing from ICICI Bank and the ecosystem strength of IIML EIC, ensuring not just funding opportunities but also strategic guidance, business validation, and market readiness.

Joint Collaboration

Led by IIML EIC and ICICI Bank, the program brings together workshops, masterclasses, and seminars delivered by top industry leaders, policy experts, and successful entrepreneurs.

Expert-led capacity building workshops
One-on-one personalised mentorship
Tailored guidance on business model validation, GTM strategy, and scaling

Networking & Market Connects

Startups will gain exclusive access to investors, industry experts, and potential enterprise customers through curated events, mixers, and demo days.

Investor connections & pitch clinics
Partnership and collaboration opportunities
Internal demo days with ICICI Bank business teams

Strategic & Operational Support

Cohort startups receive end-to-end support to overcome challenges and accelerate growth.

Fundraising and investment readiness support
GTM and product-market fit validation
Access to legal, compliance, and IPR support
Sandbox, API access, and PoC opportunities with ICICI Bank teams

Cutting-Edge Infrastructure Access

Participants gain access to innovation-enabling infrastructure :

AI, IoT, and supercomputing labs
Innovation lab at ICICI Bank Mumbai office
Networking through strategic events, mixers, and partner sessions

Program Benefits

comprehensive support ecosystem designed to accelerate your startup's growth and success

Mentorship & Capacity Building

Access to industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs through expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and personalised guidance.

Fundraising Support

Strategic guidance and direct connections to investors for securing funding and scaling your venture.

Corporate & Industry Connects

Direct access to corporate partners, industry leaders, and strategic collaborators to explore partnerships and market opportunities.

GTM Strategy & Growth Support

Develop effective go-to-market strategies, sharpen your sales approach, and scale sustainably with expert guidance.

Global Launch Support

Resources and guidance for international expansion, cross-border partnerships, and scaling to global markets.

Legal & IPR Support

Comprehensive legal advisory and intellectual property protection to safeguard your innovation.

Product Development Support

Technical expertise, prototyping resources, and innovation labs to accelerate product development.

AI, IoT Lab & Supercomputer Access

Cutting-edge technology infrastructure to test, validate, and build next-gen solutions.

Startup Toolkit & Help Desk Support

Access to curated startup toolkits and a dedicated help desk for legal, financial, and IPR-related queries.

Demo Day

Pitch your startup to a panel of investors, industry experts, and ecosystem leaders during exclusive Demo Day events.

Focus Areas

Specialized sectors aligned with ICICI Bank's vision and market opportunities

RegTech / SupTech

Innovations that streamline compliance, regulatory reporting, and supervision using AI and automation. Helping financial institutions reduce risks and meet evolving regulations faster.

AI / GenAI

Cutting-edge artificial intelligence and generative AI solutions that transform customer engagement, automate decisions, and unlock new business models.

Cyber Security

Next-gen cybersecurity tools for threat detection, data protection, and fraud prevention to safeguard businesses and customers in the digital era.

InsurTech

Digital innovations that simplify insurance distribution, claims, and risk assessment—making insurance faster, smarter, and more inclusive.

FinTech

Disruptive financial services spanning payments, lending, digital banking, and financial inclusion for underserved markets.

Financial Data Analytics

Advanced analytics platforms that turn financial data into actionable insights for smarter lending, investments, and risk management.

HRTech

AI-driven HR solutions for recruitment, payroll, employee engagement, and workforce management, tailored for the future of work.

PropTech

Technology reshaping real estate—from smart property management to digital transactions and sustainable urban living.

WealthTech

Personalized wealth management, robo-advisory, and digital investment tools that democratize access to financial growth.

Fraud & Risk Management

Innovations that detect, predict, and prevent fraud while enabling smarter, compliant risk management frameworks.

Sustainability / Carbon Credits

Green technologies and platforms that track, trade, and optimize carbon credits to drive sustainability and ESG goals.

Embedded Finance

Seamless integration of financial services—like payments, lending, and insurance—within non-financial platforms and apps.

Drone & Space Tech

Cutting-edge drone and space technologies for logistics, surveillance, mapping, and advanced research applications.

Quantum Computing

Next-gen computing power to revolutionize problem-solving in cryptography, optimization, and large-scale data processing.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements for startups to join the Finovate acceleration program

📈 Revenue Requirement

Company should have an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of at least USD 1 Million

🏳️ Indian Entity Registration

Company must be registered as an Indian Entity with proper legal documentation

% Indian Founder Majority

At least 51% stakes should be held by Indian founders

Program Partners

Collaborating with industry leaders to provide comprehensive support.

IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML EIC)

IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML EIC) is one of India's leading business incubators, serving as the innovation and entrepreneurship arm of the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, one of the country's most prestigious B-schools.

Established as a Section 8 company, IIML EIC is supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh under its Startup and IT policies.

Since its inception, IIML EIC has played a pivotal role as a catalyst for entrepreneurial excellence by bridging the gap between innovation and commercial success. IIML EIC provides a holistic support ecosystem that empowers startups at every stage of their journey—through incubation and acceleration programs, seed capital, access to a Corporate Venture Capital Fund, mentorship, co-working spaces, and corporate market access.

With our extensive network of industry experts, mentors, and policy enablers, IIML EIC continues to nurture innovative ventures that contribute to India's entrepreneurial growth story.

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank is India's leading private sector bank, widely recognised for its commitment to driving financial inclusion, technological innovation, and fintech adoption. With decades of experience, ICICI Bank has built a reputation for pioneering digital banking solutions, strengthening India's financial ecosystem, and supporting businesses in their growth journey.

As a strategic partner in this Joint Acceleration Program, ICICI Bank brings deep domain expertise, a robust digital banking infrastructure, and strong industry networks that open unparalleled opportunities for startups. Through sandbox and API access, proof-of-concept (PoC) opportunities, and strategic mentorship, ICICI Bank enables entrepreneurs to validate and scale their solutions in real market environments.

By combining financial strength with a strong focus on innovation, ICICI Bank plays a vital role in nurturing disruptive fintech startups and shaping the future of digital finance in India and beyond.

Finovate

Accelerate Your Fintech Journey