Indian entrepreneurship entered a new phase with the launch of The Foundery, a startup launchpad platform introduced by Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani. The initiative aims to create founders from scratch and build companies through execution-driven learning rather than classroom theory. The platform positions itself as a launchpad, venture studio, and co-founder factory rolled into one.
The collaboration brings together two contrasting yet complementary entrepreneurial journeys. Nikhil Kamath represents India’s modern digital-first startup ecosystem, while Kishore Biyani carries decades of experience in building large consumer businesses. Together, they seek to redefine how founders learn, build, and scale startups in India.
Vision Behind The Foundery
The Foundery focuses on action, experimentation, and speed. The platform addresses a clear gap in the Indian startup ecosystem where many aspiring founders possess ideas but lack structured execution skills. Kamath and Biyani designed the platform to convert ambition into real businesses within a fixed time frame.
The founders of The Foundery believe that entrepreneurship grows best through practice. Instead of long lectures and academic frameworks, the platform emphasizes market testing, customer discovery, and rapid iteration. Every participant works on real problems and builds solutions that face real market conditions.
A Residential 90-Day Launchpad Model
The Foundery operates as a 90-day immersive residential program. Participants live and work together in a focused environment that removes everyday distractions. This structure encourages collaboration, peer learning, and intense execution.
The program divides the 90 days into structured phases. The early phase focuses on problem identification and idea validation. Participants test assumptions, speak with potential customers, and refine business concepts. The middle phase concentrates on product building, go-to-market strategy, and revenue experiments. The final phase prepares startups for investor readiness and scale planning.
This format ensures that every participant exits the program with either a working startup or deep hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
Building Founders, Not Just Startups
The Foundery places equal importance on founder mindset and business building. The program trains participants to think like owners, operators, and decision-makers. Founders learn how to manage uncertainty, allocate capital, hire teams, and adapt quickly to market feedback.
Nikhil Kamath often speaks about the importance of learning through failure and iteration. The Foundery embeds this philosophy into its structure. Participants receive encouragement to test bold ideas, discard weak assumptions, and rebuild stronger models without fear of failure.
Kishore Biyani adds deep insights into consumer behavior, supply chains, and scaling businesses across India’s diverse markets. His experience helps founders understand how startups grow beyond urban centers and niche audiences.
Equity, Ownership, and Incentives
The Foundery follows a co-creation model rather than a traditional accelerator structure. The platform works closely with founders to build companies from the ground up. In return, it takes an equity stake in the ventures that emerge from the program.
Founders can retain up to 25 percent equity in the businesses they help create. This structure aligns incentives between the platform and participants. The Foundery invests time, capital, and mentorship, while founders commit energy, execution, and long-term vision.
The platform also plans to provide seed funding for select ventures. Funding amounts can reach up to ₹4 crore depending on the startup’s potential, business model, and market readiness.
Mentorship from Operators and Investors
The Foundery curates mentorship from experienced founders, operators, and investors. Unlike traditional mentorship sessions that focus on theory, mentors at The Foundery work directly with teams on live challenges. They review product decisions, marketing strategies, hiring plans, and financial models.
This hands-on mentorship helps founders avoid common early-stage mistakes. It also exposes participants to real-world decision-making processes that experienced entrepreneurs follow under pressure.
The program culminates in a Demo Day where startups pitch to investors, venture capital firms, and strategic partners. This exposure opens doors to follow-on funding and long-term partnerships.
Target Audience and Eligibility
The Foundery welcomes aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and professionals who want to transition into entrepreneurship. The platform does not restrict participation to a specific age group or academic background. It values curiosity, resilience, and execution ability over formal credentials.
Mid-career professionals with industry experience form a key target group. The Foundery believes that domain expertise combined with structured startup building can produce scalable businesses faster. Young founders with strong ideas and execution hunger also fit well within the program.
Addressing Gaps in the Startup Ecosystem
India’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last decade, but many early-stage founders struggle with execution discipline. Incubators and accelerators often focus on pitch decks and fundraising readiness rather than business fundamentals.
The Foundery aims to reverse this trend. The platform encourages founders to prioritize customers, revenue, and sustainable growth before chasing valuations. This approach aligns with changing investor sentiment that now favors profitability and strong unit economics.
By blending venture studio methods with a founder-first philosophy, The Foundery attempts to create durable businesses rather than short-lived startups.
Strategic Importance of the Kamath–Biyani Partnership
The partnership between Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani carries symbolic and strategic importance. Kamath represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs who built digital-first, capital-efficient businesses. Biyani represents an era of large-scale retail, supply chain mastery, and consumer understanding.
This combination allows The Foundery to support startups across sectors, including consumer brands, retail tech, fintech, logistics, and digital platforms. Founders gain access to insights that span both online and offline business models.
The collaboration also signals confidence in India’s next wave of entrepreneurship despite global economic uncertainty.
Long-Term Impact and Expansion Plans
The Foundery plans to run multiple cohorts every year. Over time, the platform aims to build a strong alumni network of founders, operators, and investors. This network can support future cohorts through mentorship, capital, and partnerships.
The founders envision The Foundery as a long-term institution rather than a short-term program. They want to create a repeatable system that consistently produces capable founders and scalable startups.
As India continues to emerge as a global startup hub, initiatives like The Foundery can play a critical role in shaping disciplined, execution-focused entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The launch of The Foundery marks a significant moment in India’s startup journey. Nikhil Kamath and Kishore Biyani bring together modern startup thinking and traditional business wisdom to create a platform built on action and accountability.
The Foundery rejects passive learning and embraces real-world execution. Through its residential model, equity-aligned structure, and hands-on mentorship, the platform aims to transform aspiring entrepreneurs into capable founders.
If successful, The Foundery can influence how entrepreneurship education evolves in India and set new standards for building startups that last.