Flipkart Ventures opens applications for ‘Flipkart Leap Ahead’ program.

About Flipkart Leap Ahead

Flipkart Leap Ahead is designed to provide equity based funding and growth acceleration to early stage startups which have the potential to advance the digital ecosystem in India. This program is the cornerstone of seed-stage investments made by Flipkart Ventures, the $100M venture fund announced by Flipkart. The accelerator will invest in pre-seed and seed stage startups, with a cheque size of up to $500K.

In addition, to boost the growth of these startups, they will undergo a 60-day program designed to set them up for rapid scaling and growth. The startups will also be mentored by senior business, operations, product and tech leaders in Flipkart to help them leverage our collective expertise and connects.

Startups building the next big thing across areas such as Logistics, Supply chain, Sustainability, Fintech, Healthtech, Gaming, Edtech, Consumer Tech, Web3 can apply.

The first cohort of FLA included 6 startups - Dopplr, Livwell, LogisticsNow, Neuropixel.AI, Rightbot Technologies and SellerApp - building innovative products across Consumer Tech, Logistics, Automation, Insurtech and Metaverse sectors. In addition to investment, the cohort was offered a customized curriculum designed by Bain & Co, several curated sessions from industry leaders, and will be concluded in January 2023 with a demo day.

1. Dopplr - Metaverse Dopplr looks to provide immersive virtual stores as a service for brands, aided by Al driven garment display & personalization. Customers can virtually try on apparel on their avatars and also experience social shopping along with their friends.
2. Livwell - Insurtech LivWell Asia, a block chain-based Insurtech & health engagement application, provides affordable bite-size Insurance products aimed toward millennials. The insurtech company uses dynamic health data from its application to provide rewards and reduced premiums for Insurance purchases.
3. LogisticsNow (LoRRI) - Logistics Solutions LogisticsNow's flagship digital logistics platform (LoRRI) is revolutionizing the B2B transport value chain, powered by a vision to build a National Logistics Grid. LoRRI’s deep data-based freight intelligence and procurement solutions save on costs and time, while enabling sustainability, for shippers and carriers.
4. NeuroPixel.AI - Automated Catalogs NeuroPixel.AI is a DeepTech startup at the intersection of Fashion E-Commerce and Computer Vision. They generate lifelike synthetic human models - with the ability to personalize basis Size, Gender and Age, and automate the process of cataloging apparel.
5. Rightbot Technologies - Robotic Fulfillment Rightbot Technologies is a full stack robotics automation platform catering to online fulfillment. Currently focused on the quick commerce segment, their proprietary technology enables efficient order fulfillment, leading to higher productivity, lower costs and improved employee wellbeing.
6. Sellerapp - Seller Enablement SellerApp is a seller-centric intelligence platform that empowers sellers to manage, optimize and scale their business. Their key focus is to strengthen the seller ecosystem with actionable data and insights. The company also provides deep analysis into category sizing, new product development and Ad Optimization.

Flipkart Venture:

"At Flipkart, their commitment is towards fostering the future of India’s tech ecosystem. They believe in empowering budding entrepreneurs by equipping them with the necessary tools and resources for growth. The ‘Flipkart Leap Ahead’ program under Flipkart Ventures underscores this mission by providing selected start-ups with substantial financial investment and, more importantly, opportunities for invaluable mentorship. To drive their growth, they look forward to ushering in the next generation of innovation,”

According to a statement by Flipkart Ventures, "The program provides promising start-ups with resources and mentorship to grow and thrive in their respective fields, significantly hastening their growth journey."

The program is now welcoming applications from early-stage (Seed to Series A) technology start-ups based in India across various sectors including Fintech (B2B & B2C), Mobility & Logistics, GenAI, HealthTech, B2B Marketplaces, DeepTech, SaaS, and Climate & Sustainability.

Program Offerings:

• Equity based investment for the startups up to $500K
• Customized curriculum by FK experts and industry experts across fundraising, finance, product, marketing etc.
• Mentorship with senior Flipkart leadership and functional subject matter experts in core functions
• Connects within the Flipkart ecosystem and the wider VC and investor community
• Co-develop the core product solution, underlying strategy and scale the offering

Eligibility:

• Startups based in India
• Tech-first startups working across different sectors using GenAI in their core solution or product
• Preferably between stages Seed to Series A
• Fintech, healthtech, logistics/supply chain, ai/ml, consumer tech, (social/content/new ecom models), retail SAAS, sustainability startups working in the following sectors can apply to this program.

How to Apply:

• First visit flipkartleap.com
• Then click on Apply now
• Fill out all the details
• Then, upload your pitch deck
• And then, submit your application and wait for the update

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Flipkart Leap Ahead program serves as a valuable opportunity for early-stage startups to receive equity-based funding, mentorship, and growth acceleration. By participating in this 16-week program, startups gain access to customized curriculum sessions, mentorship from senior Flipkart leaders, and connections within the Flipkart ecosystem. The program culminates in a demo day where venture capitalists participate, potentially leading to future rounds of funding.