India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly, driven by bold ideas, resilient founders, and an ambition to scale globally. At the heart of this momentum is Leap To Unicorn, a flagship initiative co-created by IDFC FIRST Bank in partnership with Moneycontrol and CNBC-TV18, dedicated to identifying and accelerating high potential startups.

Leap To Unicorn is a one-of-its-kind Founder Success Program that provides

Expert Mentorship​

Networking Opportunities

Fundraising Access​

Season 4

What’s New

Over three successful seasons, Leap To Unicorn has grown from establishing credibility to achieving national scale and building a mature startup ecosystem platform.​

This new season introduces four curated investment tracks, each led by dedicated investors who will actively contribute across the journey from refining the selection process to mentoring founders and identifying high-potential opportunities.

Choose Your Leap

Fintech

For innovators redefining financial infrastructure for the next billion users.​

DEEPTECH & AI​

For founders building cutting-edge technologies designed for global impact.​

ESG

For ventures creating scalable, investable solutions with measurable impact.​​

D2C

For brands built for culture, scale, and the next consumer wave.​​

Be part of India’s next wave of breakout startups.​

WHY PARTICIPATE

MENTORING SESSIONS

Attend curated boot camps conducted by startupecosystem experts

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

Pitch to marquee investors for your next fundraiser

RECOGNITION

Feature in the IDFC FIRST report ‘Top 100 Startups to watch out for’

NETWORKING

Access to India’s top unicorn founders and investors

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

Exclusive virtual masterclasses with industry veterans for all registered participants

MEDIA COVERAGE

Exposure on Network18’s media platforms

Growth Partners

Anand

Anand Lunia

General Partner – IndiaQuotient
Anand Lunia is a founding Partner at India Quotient. He loves writing on startups, studying market opportunities and helping entrepreneurs. He has been an entrepreneur,…
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
COMING SOON

From Blueprint to Breakthrough: Leap to Unicorn Unfolded

From founding one of India’s first unicorns to becoming an icon of meritorious achievement, the journey of V Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank, illustrates the power of belief and selflessness. Listen to the legend himself talk about the core values that have helped him rise above challenges and his passion to support other startups in their journey.

Helping You Grow

IDFC FIRST Bank is committed to supporting and strengthening the Indian Startup ecosystem and is invested in creating a platform for startups that promotes sustained growth. Under the FIRSTWINGS startup banking programme, we offer a suite of customized offerings including bespoke products and solutions for startups, founders, and investors.

Solution Stack

First Startup Current Account

Business First Mobile App

Startup Credit Card

Working Capital Solutions

Trade & FX Solutions

Cash Management Solutions

Founder Success Program

Beyond Banking Support

Employee Solutions

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SanchiConnect is a community of DeepTech focused startups, investors, and mentors. We drive targeted acceleration programs around funding and go-to-market (GTM) strategies, offering specialized technology support to our incubator partner ecosystem. Our mission is to enhance innovation and collaboration, empowering startups with the resources they need to succeed.

First startup current account

A current account that doesn’t need you to maintain a minimum balance and comes with Top of the line VISA Signature debit card. Also get free IMPS, NEFT & RTGS for 3 years.


Get in Touch


FINALE

Selected startups are announced for grant disbursement under Catalyst For Impact.

VIRTUAL PITCH

Present your solution to a panel of domain experts in a live virtual session.

REGISTRATION

All submissions shall be evaluated by an esteemed & independent jury

All registered participants get access to exclusive content curated for startups

Get in Touch

Know what fits best for your business needs!!


FINALE

Finalists to make in-person pitch to top VCs, investors for a funding opportunity and will be featured in Leap to Unicorn Finale aired on CNBC TV18

SHORTLISTING

Shortlisted participants create a video pitch basis insights from the boot camp for further evaluation

BOOTCAMP

Top 400 participants participate in extensive 15-day virtual knowledge sharing sessions on creating impactful pitch-decks

REGISTRATION

All submissions shall be evaluated by an esteemed & independent jury

All registered participants get access to exclusive content curated for startups

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