Entrepreneurs First (EF) Bangalore Fall 26
Under Entrepreneurs First by Entrepreneurs First (EF)
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
For individuals seeking co-founders and deeptech/AI ideas, building companies from scratch in Bangalore.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Entrepreneurs First (EF)
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 1 May 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Entrepreneurs First (EF). Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
Entrepreneurs First (EF) Bangalore Fall 26 is an intensive, in-person program for ambitious individuals aiming to build world-class companies from scratch. As a global talent investor, EF specializes in helping exceptional people find co-founders and develop breakthrough ideas, particularly those without a team or concept yet. The program operates on the philosophy that the right founder matters more than the idea: EF selects exceptional individuals, brings them together in Bangalore, and supports them through co-founder matching, company formation, and early fundraising.
The program provides an equity-free grant during the ideation phase, followed by up to $250,000 in investment upon company formation and potential for up to $5 million in follow-on funding through Series B. Participants unlock over $600,000 in partner credits including $350,000 in Microsoft Azure credits and $250,000+ from OpenAI, Anthropic, GitHub, PostHog, Datadog, and ElevenLabs. Participants receive a dedicated advisor, nine months of Bangalore office space, expert co-founder guidance, and access to EF's global alumni network. The program culminates in an SF Demo Day pitching to 200+ VC partners, with typical raises of $1 to $7 million within weeks. EF alumni have raised from Sequoia, Lightspeed, and Andreessen Horowitz across AI, deep tech, fintech, and enterprise software.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Entrepreneurs First is a talent investor founded by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford. It backs individual people before they have a cofounder or a startup idea, and currently runs offices in London, Paris, Bangalore and San Francisco. Its Bangalore programme is based in HSR…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Equity-free grant during ideation, up to $250k investment upon company formation, and potential for $5M follow-on funding. Over $600k in partner credits (Azure, OpenAI, etc.). Includes a dedicated advisor, 9 months of Bangalore office space, expert co-founder guidance, and access to EF's global alumni network. Culminates in an SF Demo Day pitching to VCs.
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The application involves three selection rounds. After submission, candidates receive further questions. EF reviews applications and selects founders for in-person interviews.
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.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.









