India’s startup ecosystem stands at a crucial juncture where innovation, access, and scale determine the next wave of entrepreneurial success. In response to this evolving landscape, Growth91, a fast-emerging startup marketplace under the Growth Sense Group, unveiled its flagship initiative—Future Unicorn. More than just a program, Future Unicorn marks a mission-driven effort to discover, nurture, and catapult early-stage startups toward national and global recognition.
This initiative directly addresses the biggest challenges that early-stage founders face: limited funding access, lack of visibility, and difficulty in forming meaningful collaborations. With the backing of a robust parent group, a strategic approach, and a Rs 100 crore fund in the pipeline, Future Unicorn positions itself as a high-impact launchpad for India’s most promising ventures.
Bridging Ambition with Acceleration
Jimish Kapadia, Co-Founder of Growth91 and Growth Sense Group, laid down the vision in unequivocal terms. “Future Unicorn is where capital meets capability, and ambition meets acceleration,” he stated. The platform doesn’t just aim to spotlight startups—it seeks to drive them toward tangible growth outcomes. The vision focuses not just on identifying high-potential startups but also on crafting a tailored path for their scale-up journey.
Sanjay Sarda, Co-Founder alongside Kapadia, emphasized the initiative’s core value proposition. “Future Unicorn is not just a label—it’s a promise of opportunity, scale, and visibility to the desired audience,” he explained. His words reflect the group’s deep understanding of what founders actually need: trust, resources, and an ecosystem that believes in their vision.
A Multi-Layered Platform with Concrete Features
Future Unicorn brings together various support pillars to deliver an all-encompassing growth platform. Each feature aligns with real pain points and offers solutions that directly empower startup founders.
1. Curated Investor Access
Unlike traditional pitch forums or startup expos, Future Unicorn structures startup listings for maximum impact. Startups will present their profiles in a detailed and standardized format, allowing investors to compare opportunities efficiently. The curated approach caters specifically to:
- High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs)
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
- Family Offices
- Institutional Investors
By optimizing visibility, the platform increases the chances of engagement and capital flow. Investors will gain access to a high-quality deal flow, while startups enjoy visibility they rarely receive on generic marketplaces.
2. Collaboration Hub
The platform goes beyond funding. It encourages strategic partnerships that can accelerate product development, market entry, and scale. Through the Collaboration Hub, startups can tap into:
- Cross-sector partnerships
- Corporate alliances
- Market expansion strategies
- Joint ventures and co-branding initiatives
Growth91 has positioned Future Unicorn as an environment where synergy matters. A fintech startup could find a retail partner; a SaaS venture might secure a B2B alliance. These collaborations could lead to exponential outcomes.
3. Ecosystem Support Backed by Growth Sense Group
Startups often struggle with fragmented support. Future Unicorn solves this by leveraging the existing infrastructure of Growth Sense Group, a trusted entity in the startup advisory space. The group offers:
- Branding and Positioning Support
- Digital and Go-To-Market Strategy
- Mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and domain experts
This comprehensive support base aims to turn innovative ideas into scalable business models. It also ensures that startups entering the platform carry strategic readiness, not just product brilliance.
4. Angel Fund Support: Rs 100 Crore Growth Sense Venture Fund
The most tangible signal of Growth91’s intent lies in the Rs 100 crore Growth Sense Venture Fund—a proposed SEBI-registered AIF Category-I fund currently under approval. Once operational, this fund will:
- Institutionalize early-stage investments
- Provide timely capital to deserving ventures
- Reduce funding dependency on informal networks
This fund transforms Future Unicorn from a showcase into a powerful funding engine. It institutionalizes belief in potential, something many early-stage startups find difficult to secure.
Timing the Market: Why Now?
India’s startup economy has matured dramatically over the past decade. The number of startups has surged, valuations have crossed billions, and IPOs have brought founders to national headlines. Yet, early-stage startups still face structural challenges:
- High entry barriers for funding access
- Limited mentorship from credible sources
- Scattered and informal networks
- Lack of sustained post-funding support
Future Unicorn enters this landscape with a clear intent to reshape the journey of early-stage founders. By addressing these gaps, Growth91 not only builds a pipeline for unicorns but also ensures the pipeline flows with equity, access, and accountability.
Unlocking Value for Every Stakeholder
While the startup benefits are obvious, Future Unicorn also opens doors for other stakeholders in the ecosystem.
For Investors
They get curated deal flow backed by a credible institution. Rather than chasing fragmented leads or relying solely on VC portfolios, investors can tap into an organized pool of high-potential ventures.
For Corporates and Strategic Partners
They can discover innovation at the grassroots level. Whether a large corporate seeks acquisition targets, tech solutions, or collaborative innovation, Future Unicorn offers fertile ground.
For Mentors and Domain Experts
This platform offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to India’s innovation landscape. They can engage with founders who are coachable, mission-driven, and ready to scale.
A Bold Vision with the Power to Execute
Future Unicorn doesn’t position itself as a dream factory—it roots its vision in executable, measurable milestones. The founders have experience, the ecosystem already functions, and the venture fund creates the financial bedrock.
With an initial cohort expected soon, Growth91 will follow a stringent selection process. Founders will undergo curation based on:
- Market potential
- Team capability
- Scalability of product/service
- Uniqueness of value proposition
The platform will then structure its support based on specific startup needs—custom, not cookie-cutter.
What Comes Next?
Growth91 plans to roll out Future Unicorn Demo Days, exclusive investor conclaves, and collaboration summits to create buzz and traction. These events will not only showcase startups but also catalyze funding deals, partnerships, and industry alliances.
The platform also eyes international investor inclusion, especially NRIs looking to invest in India’s booming tech ecosystem. With structured listing and compliance-led diligence, these investors will experience transparency and trust, elements often missing from informal channels.
Conclusion: Building the Unicorn Pipeline of Tomorrow
Future Unicorn stands as more than an initiative—it’s a movement toward institutionalizing India’s early-stage startup support. It aligns ambition with execution and vision with capital. Backed by Growth91’s credibility and the Growth Sense Group’s ecosystem, the initiative blends structure, support, and scale.
In a country where millions dream but few find the right runway, Future Unicorn builds that runway—paved with insight, capital, mentorship, and visibility. For early-stage founders across India, this platform offers a message loud and clear: Your future starts now, and it might just be unicorn-shaped.