IIT Kharagpur partners with z21 Ventures to launch start-up accelerator programme for final-year students

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has partnered with z21 Ventures, an early-stage, operator-led venture capital firm founded by IIT Kharagpur alumni. The total investment by z21 ventures in this partnership will be Rs 2.5 crore, Rs 25 lakh initial investment per team, the institute said in a statement on Friday.

The partnership between IIT Kharagpur and z21 Ventures will launch an innovative program designed to provide final-year students with the support and resources they need to create successful startups.

The accelerator is designed to tap into the exceptional talent at IIT Kharagpur and turn ambitious ideas into market-ready startups. It will provide participants with unmatched access to mentorship, funding, and premium resources. With a focus on developing technical, scalable solutions for global challenges, the program seeks to combine IIT Kharagpur's advanced research with z21 Ventures' proven investment expertise, empowering student entrepreneurs to make a lasting, transformative impact.

Comprehensive support for participants

The accelerator program will provide final-year students with a comprehensive package of resources, including:

• Mentorship : Direct guidance from successful entrepreneurs, industry experts, and venture capitalists.
• Seed Funding : Access to early-stage funding opportunities to kickstart their ventures.
• Workshops and Training : Tailored sessions covering essential aspects of building a startup, including business development, product-market fit, fundraising, and scaling operations.
• Networking : Opportunities to connect with a wide network of investors, successful entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders, facilitating partnerships and business development.

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Designed to harness the immense talent at KGP and transform bold ideas into market-ready ventures, the accelerator will offer participants unparalleled access to mentorship, funding, and top-tier resources. With a focus on building technical and scalable solutions to tackle global challenges, this program aims to blend IIT Kharagpur’s cutting-edge research with z21 Ventures’ proven investment expertise, empowering student entrepreneurs to create world-changing impact.

First cohort and program structure

The accelerator program will admit up to 10 teams in its first cohort, providing them with ongoing mentorship, strategic direction, and seed funding to help turn their ideas into reality. Participants will gain access to z21 Ventures' extensive network of industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and experienced advisors, all committed to guiding them toward market success. Furthermore, IIT Kharagpur will offer essential infrastructure support even after graduation, ensuring a smooth transition from idea development to execution.

“Start-up Accelerator Program with z21 Ventures, founded by our esteemed IIT alumni, to launch the 'KGP Forge Entrepreneur' is a structured accelerator program created to teach the students about company building, basic company finance and company law, fundraising etc. It is a significant step towardsempowering our BTech, MTech, and PhD students. This collaboration aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the mentorship, resources, financial support and professional networks necessary to transform their ideas into successful startups", V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur said.

KGP alumni can also engage in this transformative program, provided they collaborate with current KGP students on their founding teams.