Kotak Alternate Asset Managers and Venture Center launch investor readiness program for healthcare startups

New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster the Healthcare start up ecosystem in India, Venture Center, in partnership with Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd. (KotakAlt), has announced the launch of the second cohort of the “Investor Readiness Program (IRP).

This equity-free (and also fee free) 24-week accelerator, generously supported by KotakAlt under its CSR program, is designed to connect, mentor, and prepare start-ups with a working prototype to initiate an Rs 1 Crore to Rs 8 Crore fundraise.

The high touch program will offer a customized approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each participating start up. With a track record of success, including fundraising achievements by previous cohort participants, the IRP is an unparalleled opportunity for healthcare start-ups looking to scale their operations and impact.

The call for applications is open till 10th April. To know more, click here.

This initiative, part of the NIDHI – Center of Excellence at Venture Center, aims to support 10 innovative healthcare start-ups with the necessary skills, knowledge, and funding to excel in a competitive landscape. Venture Center has onboarded 10 investor mentors and signed up 25 investors for the demo day.

The IRP is designed to support healthcare technology innovations across various domains, including devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health, and rehabilitation. This year, the program places a special emphasis on solutions for cancer, metabolic, immunological, and musculoskeletal disorders, and actively encourages women founders to apply.

Participating start-ups will have the opportunity to enhance their business acumen significantly, with weekly mentoring focused on investment case preparation, refining their business plans, financial projections, mastering the art of impact storytelling, and more!

The Investor Readiness Program offers a range of benefits to the participating start-ups, including a chance to secure a Rs 15 Lakhs grant, personalized mentoring from experienced investor mentors, and the opportunity to pitch to 25 signed-up investors during demo day. Participants will also receive a professionally crafted pitch deck and undergo extensive pitching practice to hone their presentation skills. Additionally, the start-ups will have access to an expansive peer and mentor network, which promises to significantly enhance the visibility and growth prospects of the start-ups.

“We are delighted to partner with Venture Centre to empower entrepreneurs in the healthcare ecosystem, to pioneer the next generation of innovative solutions,” commented Srini Sriniwasan, Managing Director, Kotak Alternate Assets Managers Limited (KotakAlt).

Dr Premnath, Director, Venture Center, said, “The Venture Center is excited to partner KAAML in organizing this much needed Investor Readiness Program focussed on healthcare and health-tech startups. Via this program, we hope to prepare prototype stage startups with considerable social impact potential to raise adequate funds to get regulatory approvals, enter the market and start serving people with their innovative products. In particular, this will empower scientists and engineers to take their ideas to a satisfying conclusion as products saving or improving lives of people.