Being a startup founder is hard work, no matter where you are. And in India, that challenge comes with an extra layer: access.
Yes, it's harder when you're building from a Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 town. But it's not exactly easy in the metros either. Because even in Mumbai or Bangalore, getting noticed still depends on being in the right rooms, knowing the right people, or being plugged into the right WhatsApp groups.
It's not just a geography gap. It's a visibility gap. And in a country where innovation is coming from everywhere - but opportunity is still scattered; that's a systemic problem.
Until now, the startup ecosystem has relied on private networks, siloed platforms, and event-driven access. But a new kind of infrastructure is changing that - and offering founders, investors, and ecosystem builders a smarter way to connect.
That's the gap IDFC FIRST Bank set out to solve with FIRSTWINGS Connect - a platform designed to streamline how India's startup ecosystem connects, collaborates, and grows.
One Platform, Built for the Whole Ecosystem
FIRSTWINGS Connect is perhaps , beyond banking digital platform that brings together startups, investors, mentors, incubators, corporates, and service providers - all in one place. It's not a social network. It's not a marketplace. It's a purpose-built, high-trust infrastructure designed to power meaningful connections across the startup economy.
Brought together by IDFC FIRST Bank as a beyond banking enabler, the FIRSTWINGS Connect platform is structured around one powerful idea: access shouldn't depend on geography, or who you know.
Here's what sets it apart:
- Free to use - no cost, no exclusivity
- Open to all - you don't need affiliations or references
- Secure and trusted - built with global standard data security
- Genuinely beneficial - real tools, not just another directory
Whether you're a founder looking for a mentor, a , or an incubator running a cohort - this is where discovery gets real.
What It Looks Like in Action
FIRSTWINGS Connect is structured around real workflows - not just profiles and contact forms. Depending on who you are, here's how it works:
Startups
- Create rich, detailed profiles with traction, funding needs, and team info.
- Connect directly with investors, mentors, and service providers.
- Discover and apply to pitch events, incubator programs, or innovation challenges.
- Access curated resources, from legal templates to playbooks and guides.
- Collaborate with other startups - as partners, or co-creators.
- Discover startups based on sector, stage, geography, and thesis alignment.
- Track startup milestones and evaluate progress over time.
- Participate in structured pitch events or host your own.
- Build visibility among founders and ecosystem players.
- List your expertise and availability.
- Discover startups actively seeking advice in your focus areas.
- Join structured mentorship programs or community events.
- Build relationships across geographies and sectors.
- Promote your programs and showcase your cohort startups.
- Discover mentors, investors, and corporates for downstream support.
- Co-host events and collaborate with other ecosystem builders.
- Access resources and toolkits to support your cohorts more effectively.
- Promote innovation challenges and scout startups for pilots.
- Connect with incubators, mentors, and investors to accelerate problem-solving.
- Build visibility in the startup ecosystem as an innovation partner
- Showcase your services with packages and relevant case studies.
- Discover startups and investors who need your expertise.
- Partner with other service providers to create bundled solutions.
- Join events and offer expert-led sessions or tools.
- Build trust and visibility through verified profiles
India's startup ecosystem has energy, scale, and ambition. But until now, it hasn't had a shared platform that ties it all together. That's what makes FIRSTWINGS Connect different - and necessary. It doesn't just lower the barrier for entry. It removes it.
Importantly, there's no hard sell. You don't need a referral. You don't need to know the right person. You just need to
And because this platform is still in its early growth phase (with new features and programs rolling out in phases), the upside is real. Early adopters get more visibility. Ecosystem builders get to shape the roadmap. And founders get access to opportunities that were previously invisible to them - or closed off entirely.
Built for Startups, Built for the Ecosystem
digital platform reflects a shift in how empowerment for startups is being reimagined. It's a platform made available by a private institution; but built like a public good. It exists to connect the dots, deepen the network, and surface potential from every corner of the country.
It's also part of a broader ecosystem strategy: connect, knowledge and access. Bringing together IDFC FIRST Bank’s startup programs like FIRSTWINGS Connect, FIRST SYMPHONY, FIRSTWINGS Startup Lounge, as well as - a founder success program that has, for three years now, helped hundreds of startups find their networks, mentors and even investors. IDFC FIRST Bank also brings along curated offerings from their ecosystem partners. It’s all seamlessly integrated to deliver a unified experience across events, challenges, bootcamps, and more. And because the platform serves every stakeholder - from first-time founders to seasoned investors - as the platform scales, so do the benefits.
Final Word: Infrastructure Builds Outcomes
The next breakout founder may be in Koramangala or Lower Parel But if the ecosystem doesn't have the infrastructure to find them, support them, or connect with them - we all lose out.
Platforms like FIRSTWINGS Connect can change that. By rethinking how collaboration happens, who gets access, and what support really looks like - this is infrastructure that doesn't just serve the ecosystem, it strengthens it.
Early access is now open. If you’re a Leap to Unicorn alumni, your invitation to connect is already in the mail. If you're a founder, an investor, a mentor, or a builder who hasn’t experienced Leap to Unicorn yet, that’s okay. This is your invitation to plug in directly to the FIRSTWINGS Connect digital platform.
No gatekeeping. No catch. Just a smarter way to connect, and a better way to build.
Moneycontrol Journalists are not involved in creation of this article.
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