Build & Launch Your MVP in Just 10 Weeks

This is a 10-week fellowship program designed specifically for software startups. Here you'll build your MVP, pitch to real investors, and gain access to valuable resources and a powerful startup network.

Application Deadline: 19th Oct, 2025
Program Starts: 25th Oct, 2025

Benefits of the Program

Raise Up to ₹20 Lakh in Seed Funding

Secure financial support to kickstart and scale your startup. This funding can come from private investments, debt funds, or even grants from government.

₹10 Lakhs worth of Tech Credits (AWS, Zoho, etc.)

Access technical credits from AWS, Notion, Zoho Suite, Webflow, providing the tools you need to build and scale your startup while minimizing initial expenses.

1:1 Mentorship with 50+ Domain Experts

Get personalized guidance tailored to your business stage, industry, and growth bottlenecks week after week.

Lifetime Access to 18startup Alumni Network

Learn from 500+ founders, access mentors beyond the program, and get exclusive templates, pitch decks, legal and financial tools.

Access to Incubators/Co-working Facilities

Gain access to leading incubators and Co-working facilities across India, offering space and support to build your MVP (T&C applies).

Access to all our Upcoming Programs

Expand your network, learn continuously through engaging sessions, and unlock lifetime access to all future programs for free  (T&C applies).

Impact Created

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Entrepreneurs Impacted

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Founders Incubated

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Founders Funded

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The Program Schedule

Week 1: Founders Mindset & Orientation

Idea Validation | Self-Introspection | Team Building | Consumer Behaviour | Networking with Mentors & Peers

Week 2 - 3: Problem & Marketing Validation

Problem Validation | Customer Discovery | BMC Basics

Week 4 - 6: Building a Fundable Product

Customer & Market Validation | Business Model Canvas | Building MVP using AI  

Week 7 - 8: Working on Early Traction

1:1 Mentorship | Testing the Market | Bringing in users

Week 9: Pitch & Financials Preperation

Financial Projections | Story Telling | Pitch Deck Preparation

Week 10: Demo Day

Pitch to the Investors | Raise upto ₹20 Lakhs | Get Incubated

The Program Mentor

Prakash is a seasoned finance professional with over two decades of experience across banking, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. With more than 20 years spent preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial statements, he brings deep strategic insight into how businesses should understand and present their numbers.

Having worked as a banker, strategy head in ICICI bank, entrepreneur, and investor, Prakash knows exactly what investors look for and how founders can use financial clarity to build confidence, attract funding, and make smarter decisions.

Know more:

Prakash B.
CEO - 18startup

The Domain Expert

Aakarsh Agrawal is a two-time startup founder and the Head of Tech and Mentoring at GenSpark India. With experience in building and scaling ventures, he blends entrepreneurial insight with strong technical expertise. Passionate about clean coding, SOLID principles, and TDD, he often leverages AI to improve code quality.

As a mentor, Aakarsh supports early-stage founders in product development, team building, and market strategy. Driven by curiosity and innovation, he thrives at the intersection of startups, technology, and mentorship.

Know more:

Akarsh Agarwal
Tech Mentor

Who is this
Program for?

If you’re an early-stage startup founder working in the software space and feel stuck with your idea due to a lack of guidance and mentorship, you’re welcome at 18startup.

Note: The program fee is ₹15,000 (incl. GST) and is kicking off virtually from 25th Oct 2025.

Listen To Our Community

Learn From Investors & Mentors

Founders hustled through the journey from ideation to funding and scaling, and who are now committed to supporting early-stage startup founders.

Ajay Rungta
Startup Mentor & Investor

A BITS Pilani alumnus and ex-founding engineer at Practo, he brings 15+ years of tech experience and now works as a startup advisor, investor, and mentor.

Prakash B.
CEO - 18startup

A finance professional with 20+ years of experience, having worked at NTC Logistics, ICICI Bank, Atlas Copco, and as a mentor with Wadhwani Foundation.

Rudrajeet Desai
CEO of VideoCX.io,

A serial entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience, having built multiple startups, raised 7 funding rounds, and authored the bestselling book "Breaking Out and Making Big."

Manoj Kumar
Hardware Startup Mentor

Ex-Caterpillar, an engineer and product mentor who helps hardware startups build frugal, market-ready products. He mentors through Atal Innovation Mission, T-Hub, AICs, UNIDO-FLCTD, and more.

Dharmesh Mehta
Founder: LMNX ventures

A serial entrepreneur, product designer, and angel investor with 15+ years of industry experience, he is actively supporting startups with strategic guidance, and early-stage investments.

Vivek Manoharan
CEO - 221B Biomedical

A Biomedical Scientist with a Ph.D. from NTU Singapore, he has founded multiple health-tech startups including Ferne Health (acquired), 221B Biomedical, and Bipolar Factory. while mentoring early stage startups.

Akarsh Agarwal
CEO - 221B Biomedical

Experienced in building ventures from product development to market strategy. Currently, the Head of Tech and Mentoring at Genspark India, guiding entrepreneurs with expertise in technology and clean coding.

Swatantra Verma
CEO - Gumbo Tech

An IITian, entrepreneur, and active angel investor who supports early-stage startups. With a background as a political strategist and a passion for growth, he is now building one of India’s largest community platforms.

Rishav Agarwal
CEO - Picxele

An active angel investor and mentor with 50+ startup investments (including Drinkprime, Zypp Electric, Jar, TrulyMadly), He has guided 100+ student-led startups through his Dhandho Fellowship.

What our Alumni have Built?

Avatron
At Avatron, we offer a comprehensive range of smart home products, including lighting, audio systems, automation solutions, and security devices.
Redstring
Redstring connects startups with top-tier talent, streamlining recruitment. They foster meaningful relationships to fuel innovation and growth.
Meet Goals
MeetGoals helps individuals align their subconscious with their goals and take consistent action toward a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Azoodo
Azeedo is a sustainable agritech startup creating organic crop protection solutions. It helps farmers reduce chemical use and boost soil and crop health.
Hasol Energy
Hasol Energy builds innovative solutions to boost renewable energy efficiency. We drive sustainable energy production across sectors.
Zoovit
​At Zoovit Health Care (OPC) Private Limited, we curate stylish and functional home decor and wellness products to enhance everyday living.
Creatiz
We’re a platform designed for content writers, simplifying their creation process and helping them craft more effective content.
Founderly
Founderly helps purpose-driven students turn their startup ideas into reality in 6 weeks, with expert mentorship and community support.

Our Partners & Collaborators

Join the Program in 3 Easy Steps

Register Your Spot

Submit the form. Our team will review your application and assess your compatibility with the program, and we’ll get back to you within one week.

1:1 Interaction Call

This is an interaction with our team, where we evaluate your overall compatibility with the program and the potential value you can gain from it.

If Selected, Confirm & Join the Program

If selected & aligned, pay the fee to officially secure your seat in Cohort 14 and be part of the 18startup Fellowship.

FAQs

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