ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5)
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Quick Answer
4-month virtual accelerator for revenue-generating women-led startups by ISB I-Venture.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- ISB I-Venture
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Registrations needed
- Private Limited company registration
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 25 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by ISB I-Venture. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this funding program
I-WIN (Women in Innovation) is ISB I-Venture's flagship accelerator built for women founders who are past the idea stage and working through the real complexity of scaling. Cohort 5 is now open for applications.
The program runs for four months, fully virtually, and is built around the specific gaps in each founder's business — not a fixed curriculum. Every selected startup begins with a structured gap analysis to identify the actual growth bottleneck, whether that's GTM, fundraising readiness, revenue quality, or team structure. The program then delivers targeted support across those specific areas.
Founders get access to expert-led live sessions on growth strategy, unit economics, org structuring, and compliance; 1:1 mentorship sessions with industry veterans and seasoned founders; brand and performance marketing labs; structured market access pathways; and investment readiness preparation including pitch clinics and a curated Demo Day for investor conversations. The peer cohort is kept deliberately small for high-signal interactions, and selected founders also gain access to ISB I-Venture's broader alumni network.
I-WIN is designed for founders who already have paying customers and are stuck on specific problems — inconsistent growth, fundraising preparation, or distribution. The program is sector-agnostic and open to startups at pre-seed through pre-Series A.
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.
Funding providers
I-Venture @ ISB is the entrepreneurship and incubation platform of the Indian School of Business, run out of ISB's Hyderabad and Mohali campuses. It brings together three pillars under one brand: DLabs in Hyderabad, the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC ISB) in Mohali, and I-Venture…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
What You Get
ISB I-WIN does not provide a direct grant. The accelerator's value is in the structured 4-month curriculum (gap analysis, 1:1 mentorship, expert-led live sessions, a closed peer cohort across sectors) and the Demo Day investor connect at the end. A 2% success fee applies on investments sourced through I-WIN's network — no equity is taken by I-WIN itself.
- Duration
- 4 months
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Online applications at i-venture.org/iwin are initially screened and evaluated by the ISB I-Venture team from May to June 2026. Shortlisted founders are interviewed and assessed for fit, traction, and scaling readiness before final selection. Selected women-led startups join the structured 4-month accelerator cohort; a 2% success fee applies on investments sourced through I-WIN's network.
Application Process
- 1
Online Application
Apply on the ISB I-Venture I-WIN page with founder profile, company details, current stage, sector and pitch deck.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to I-WIN Cohort 5?
Women-led / women-co-founded startups, incorporated for at least 1 year, with at least a proof-of-concept. Sector-agnostic — SaaS, HealthTech, AgriTech, consumer brands, enterprise solutions and more.
Does I-WIN charge any fee?
Yes. There is a program fee of ₹25,000 + GST. In addition, a 2% success fee applies on investments sourced through I-WIN's network. I-WIN does not take equity in the startup.
Does I-WIN provide grant or investment funding?
No direct grant from I-WIN. The program's funding angle is the curated Demo Day investor connect at the end of the cohort, plus engagement with domain experts during the 4 months.
How long is the program and is it virtual?
4 months, fully virtual — designed around the reality of a founder's time.
How is each founder's journey personalised?
Every founder begins with a structured gap analysis tailored to her venture; the 1:1 mentorship and expert sessions are sequenced from there.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
