Liftoff Academy for SMEs
A programme by Wadhwani Foundation
A free certification programme of 10 to 12 weeks for senior and mid-management teams of SMEs, awarded jointly with AIMA; training, not funding.
At a glance
| Best for | Senior and mid-management teams of small and medium enterprises |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10–12 weeks |
| Cost | Free |
| Run with | AIMA |
About Liftoff Academy for SMEs
The Academy is a free, curated, certification-based programme of 10 to 12 weeks for senior and mid-management teams of SMEs. It focuses on strengthening leadership, operational excellence and cross-functional execution. Participants earn a certification from Wadhwani Foundation and AIMA. It is management training and does not provide funding.
Who can apply
- Senior and mid-management teams of SMEs
- The programme page has a section for detailed eligibility criteria; check it there.
How selection works: The page does not describe a selection round.
How to apply: Use the Join Now or Apply Here button on the programme page. The foundation's pages are not consistent about whether the programme is open: one lists it as coming soon, while the programme page has a join button and a notice that it is unavailable in some regions. Confirm before you apply.
Where to apply
Other Wadhwani Foundation programmes
- Wadhwani LiftoffAn AI-powered business growth advisor, open to any business, that helps founders assess readiness, set growth priorities and connect with mentors and experts.
- Wadhwani AccelerateA highly selective programme for growth-stage startups and SMBs that already have steady revenue and are ready to scale.
- Wadhwani IgniteEntrepreneurship learning for students while they are still in college, delivered through institutions; not a funding route.
- Wadhwani Innovation Network Centres of ExcellenceCentres of Excellence at academic institutes that fund and mentor interdisciplinary research projects aimed at commercialisation; a route for researchers, not a general founder door.
- WIN Centre of Excellence at IIT Hyderabad: Call for Proposals 2026A project funding call from the Wadhwani Innovation Network centre at IIT Hyderabad; it closed on 31 March 2026 and startups had to partner with an IIT Hyderabad faculty member.