Afthonia Lab

Start with the right programme

Afthonia Lab's programmes are built for different people, so the first thing to get right is which one fits you.

• If you are an India-based fintech or techfin startup, the Afthonia Incubation Programme is the route for you.
• If you are an overseas scaleup looking to expand into India, look at the Accelerator Program instead.
• If you are an Australian startup in fintech, cybersecurity or green finance, the accelerator run with Invest NSW is the one aimed at you.

How applications work

The incubation programme takes applications through an application form linked from its page. The India market-entry accelerators are reached through the listings linked from the Global Programs page. Selection into the incubation programme runs through the application form rather than a stated eligibility checklist.

What to show

The incubation programme is focused on fintech and techfin, so a clear fit with that focus matters. Because the accelerator tracks are specifically for startups entering the Indian market, those applications turn on a credible plan to expand into India.

Afthonia Lab, run by Afthonia Pvt. Ltd., is a fintech and techfin incubator based in Bengaluru. It describes itself as a fintech and techfin incubator that works to turn startups into business-ready ventures over the course of a year. It is based at BTM Layout 1 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

What it is

Afthonia Lab presents two kinds of programme, aimed at two different audiences. Its core offering for Indian founders is an incubation programme for fintech and techfin startups. Alongside this, it runs accelerator tracks that are built for overseas scaleups looking to enter the Indian market, rather than for India-based founders.

This split is worth noting because the two labels point in different directions. The organisation describes itself on its homepage as a fintech and techfin incubator, while its accelerator work — the Accelerator Program and an accelerator run with Invest NSW — is specifically for scaleups expanding into India. A founder in India looking to be incubated and an overseas scaleup looking to enter the market are both served, but by different programmes.

Incubation

The Afthonia Incubation Programme is for fintech and techfin startups and runs over about a year. It centres on one-to-one mentorship with fintech experts, industry leaders and subject-matter specialists, and on compliance assistance — regulatory support, compliance and legal advisory aimed at fintech startups. Incubated startups are also offered free credits. The programme positions itself for startups based in India, and selection runs through an application form.

India market entry

The Accelerator Program is a six-month programme designed to help scaleups expand their businesses in India. It provides strategic guidance, mentorship and networking intended to speed up market entry and business growth. It is aimed primarily at overseas scaleups entering India rather than at India-based founders.

A second, related accelerator is run in partnership with Invest NSW, the New South Wales government's investment arm in Australia. This six-month accelerator helps Australian fintech, cybersecurity and green-finance startups expand into India with guidance and market-entry support. It is open to Australian startups in those fields, not to India-based founders.

Scale

On its homepage Afthonia Lab reports having incubated more than 20 startups. These are the organisation's own figures.

Locations

Afthonia Lab operates from BTM Layout 1 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

How to apply

Applications are made programme by programme. The incubation programme takes applications through an application form linked from its page. The India market-entry accelerators are reached through the listings linked from the Global Programs page; the Invest NSW accelerator is delivered in partnership with Invest NSW rather than through a separate form.