BharatNetra Startup Programmes (GFTN Odisha)

Pick the right track

• Incubator: you are incorporated, have an MVP or early traction, and are not more than 18 months from incorporation.
• Accelerator: you are more than 18 months from incorporation, working on the startup full-time, and already have revenue and/or funding.
• Sector fit: FinTech, InsurTech, or tech with embedded finance is preferred.

How applications work

• Register your interest through the form on the programme page.
• Questions can go to bharatnetra.startups@gftn.com.
• The Accelerator kickoff date on the page was 18 June 2026, so confirm the next intake before you plan.

How selection works

• Applications, then shortlisting, then founder interviews, then final selection.
• Scoring weights business potential to scale most heavily, followed by differentiation from existing solutions and traction in the home market or other emerging markets.

Before you apply

• Plan travel yourself. Travel and hospitality are not covered, and each month has an in-person block in Bhubaneswar.
• Plan for attendance. You must attend at least 70% of the programme.
• No fee, no equity. The programme charges no participation fee and takes no equity.

BharatNetra is the startup programme run from the FinTech Centre of Excellence at the Odisha Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar. The Government of Odisha initiated it in partnership with GFTN, and GFTN runs the incubator and accelerator. It backs FinTech and InsurTech companies, and tech companies with embedded finance are preferred.

How the programmes work

There are two tracks, and both are structured 3-month hybrid programmes. The Incubator is for early-stage founders who want to move from ideation to market-ready. The Accelerator is for growth-stage ventures looking for rapid expansion and investment. Across the three months the Incubator has a monthly 5-day in-person block and the Accelerator has a monthly 2-day in-person block, and each ends with an in-person demo day in Bhubaneswar. All sessions are in English. Travel and hospitality costs are not covered.

Who can apply

Both tracks need an incorporated business. The Incubator takes companies with a minimum viable product or early traction that are not more than 18 months from incorporation. The Accelerator takes companies more than 18 months from incorporation, with a full-time commitment to the startup and existing revenue and/or funding raised. Participants must attend at least 70% of the programme.

What founders get

The Incubator covers building for Bharat, go-to-market strategy, enterprise partnerships, the regulatory environment, approaches to fundraising, pitch refinement with mock pitch sessions, and office hours with experts. The Accelerator offers global market access, deep-dives with industry mentors, investor connect opportunities, enterprise partnerships and exposure at global FinTech forums. The programme charges no participation fee and takes no equity.

Mentors and cohorts

The inaugural Incubator cohort was welcomed in Bhubaneswar on 9 March 2026. Its mentors come from banks, payments companies, insurers and venture funds, and the site publishes a cohort lookbook describing the companies. An earlier startup bootcamp ran in January 2026. The Accelerator was announced as upcoming with a kickoff date of 18 June 2026, so check the programme page for the next intake.

How selection works

Selection runs through applications, shortlisting, founder interviews and final selection. Applications are scored on business potential to scale, differentiation from existing solutions, traction in the home market or other emerging markets, and the scope and readiness of the technology for scaling.

Location

The centre is at the Odisha Technology Centre, Tower B, Ground Floor, Bhoinagar, Bhubaneswar, Khorda 751022, Odisha.