RBIH TechSprint 2026 – Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
By Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
RBIH TechSprint 2026 invites Indian fintechs to build deployment-ready solutions for digitising Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and automating mule account detection, offering direct collaboration and integration opportunities with partner banks.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round are closed. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Reserve Bank Innovation Hub. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The RBIH TechSprint 2026 is an innovation program spearheaded by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), specifically designed to address critical challenges in Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) within the Indian financial ecosystem. The program's core objective is to invite innovative Indian fintech startups to develop and deploy advanced solutions that digitise and automate EDD processes, with a particular focus on the crucial task of detecting and investigating mule accounts.
The initiative builds upon RBIH's existing MuleHunter.AI ecosystem, which serves as a foundation for identifying potential mule accounts across various partner banks and data sources. This TechSprint directly tackles the current shortcomings in EDD, which are often characterized by manual, fragmented, and difficult-to-monitor workflows. By leveraging technology, the program aims to significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial fraud prevention.
Participants will engage with a defined problem statement, focusing on creating an intelligent pre-EDD triage engine complemented by a unified digital EDD case management and enforcement platform. This comprehensive solution should encompass an end-to-end, mobile-first case management system covering allocation, investigation, approval, and CBS-integrated freeze/unfreeze functionalities, complete with robust audit trails, in-app notifications, configurable escalations, and automated MIS. Crucially, an AI/ML layer is expected to ingest alerts from all existing sources, de-duplicate cases, score and prioritize them, and intelligently filter out false positives before human intervention. The ultimate goal is to foster the creation of banking-grade, deployment-ready technology that can be seamlessly integrated into partner banks' live EDD processes, thereby improving the entire handling of flagged cases and fortifying the fight against financial crime.
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.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The RBIH TechSprint offers significant non-monetary benefits, primarily providing a unique bank pilot opportunity that is entirely equity-free. Selected fintechs will engage in direct, intensive collaboration with partner banks' EDD and fraud teams, gaining unparalleled access to real-world investigation workflows and data. This embedded sprint environment allows startups to rigorously test and refine their solutions against actual banking scenarios, ensuring they are robust and 'banking-grade.' Beyond development, the program offers a concrete pathway for integrating the validated solutions directly into a partner bank's live EDD workflow, providing a critical first customer and proof of concept. Participants also benefit from exposure to RBIH's broader financial innovation ecosystem, fostering networking and potential future collaborations within the regulatory and banking landscape.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The selection process for the RBIH TechSprint involves a multi-stage evaluation designed to identify fintechs with the most innovative and deployable solutions for Enhanced Due Diligence. Initial applications are screened on a rolling basis, where a committee evaluates the submitted product, deployment, and team details against the problem statement and technical requirements. Key assessment criteria include the startup's existing working product, its relevance to fraud detection and mule account identification, and its capability for integration with bank AML systems. Shortlisted fintechs proceed to a matching phase where they are paired with a partner bank whose specific EDD challenges and technological environment align best with the startup's offerings. This ensures a synergistic relationship for the subsequent embedded sprint, where the final selection is validated through direct interaction and the potential for real-world impact.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Submit your product, deployment, and team details through the official application portal.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
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.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of funding is available through the RBIH TechSprint?
The RBIH TechSprint offers non-monetary support and a unique bank pilot opportunity. It is an equity-free program focused on providing a platform for deployment and collaboration rather than direct cash funding or investment.
What are the primary objectives of the TechSprint?
The main objectives are to digitise and automate Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes in Indian banks, particularly for detecting and investigating mule accounts. It aims to develop deployment-ready technology solutions that can be integrated into partner banks' real-world EDD workflows.
Which types of startups are eligible to apply?
Indian fintech startups with an existing working product are eligible. This includes companies specializing in fraud detection, transaction monitoring, or account risk scoring, provided they can integrate with existing bank systems and work with real transaction data.
Is there any geographical restriction for applicants?
No, the program is open to Indian fintech startups across all regions, operating on a Pan-India basis.
What is the application timeline for the TechSprint?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the program operates on a cycle-based intake that reopens with each official call. Applicants are advised to confirm the current application window with the program authority.
What kind of support can selected fintechs expect from the partner banks?
Selected fintechs will receive direct support from the partner bank's EDD and fraud teams, access to real-world investigation workflows, and a banking environment to test and refine their solutions. The goal is to facilitate integration of the solution into the bank's operational processes.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
