ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5)

The I-WIN (Women in Innovation) Accelerator, a flagship initiative by ISB I-Venture, is specifically designed for women founders who have moved beyond the initial idea phase and are actively navigating the complexities of scaling their ventures. The fifth cohort of this program is currently accepting applications.

This fully virtual program spans four months and is meticulously structured around addressing the unique challenges and growth bottlenecks faced by each participating startup, rather than adhering to a rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculum. Each selected venture begins with a comprehensive gap analysis to pinpoint critical areas for improvement, which could range from go-to-market strategies and fundraising readiness to enhancing revenue quality or optimising team structures. The program then delivers highly targeted support tailored to these identified needs.

Participants gain invaluable access to live sessions led by industry experts, covering crucial topics such as growth strategy, unit economics, organisational structuring, and compliance. They also benefit from one-on-one mentorship with seasoned founders and industry veterans, participate in specialised brand and performance marketing labs, explore structured market access pathways, and receive extensive investment readiness preparation, including pitch clinics and a curated Demo Day for direct engagement with investors. The cohort size is intentionally kept small to foster high-quality interactions and peer learning. Additionally, selected founders are granted access to ISB I-Venture's extensive alumni network.

I-WIN targets founders who have already secured paying customers and are grappling with specific growth hurdles, such as inconsistent revenue, preparing for investment rounds, or optimising distribution channels. The program maintains a sector-agnostic approach, welcoming startups from diverse industries including D2C, HealthTech, SaaS, Agritech, Climate, and AI, and is open to ventures at the pre-seed through pre-Series A stages.

• A 4-month, fully virtual accelerator program for women-led startups across India.
• Personalised support through structured gap analysis, 1:1 mentorship, and expert-led sessions.
• Open to pre-seed to pre-Series A startups, sector-agnostic (SaaS, HealthTech, Agritech, D2C, AI, etc.).
• Includes investor connect opportunities at a curated Demo Day.
• Program fee of ₹25,000 + GST; 2% success fee on investments sourced via I-WIN network (no equity taken).

This accelerator program is open to women founders or co-founders who hold at least a 25% equity stake in their startup and play an active role in its decision-making. Eligible startups must have a live product demonstrating early traction, evidenced by revenue, active users, successful pilots, or established partnerships. Ventures should be operating at the pre-seed to pre-Series A stage and be actively focused on scaling their operations. The program is sector-agnostic, welcoming applications from diverse industries such as D2C, HealthTech, SaaS, Agritech, Climate, and AI. As a fully virtual initiative, it is accessible to founders located anywhere across India. The program is open to Private Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). While MSME registration is not a prerequisite, startups must be incorporated for at least one year and have a proof-of-concept.

Applications for ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5) are open and the current deadline is 31 Jul 2026. From submitting to a decision, plan for roughly 120 days across 5 stages. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

The ISB I-WIN Accelerator does not provide direct grant funding or investment. Instead, its primary value lies in its comprehensive, structured four-month program. This includes an initial gap analysis tailored to each startup's specific needs, followed by extensive 1:1 mentorship from industry veterans and seasoned founders, and expert-led live sessions covering critical business areas. Participants also benefit from being part of a closed peer cohort across various sectors, fostering collaborative learning and networking opportunities.

A significant benefit is the curated Demo Day at the program's conclusion, which provides direct investor connect opportunities. While I-WIN itself does not take equity, a 2% success fee is applicable on any investments successfully sourced through the I-WIN network. This structure ensures that the accelerator's focus remains on providing growth-enabling resources and connections without diluting the founder's ownership.

ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5) is offered by ISB I-Venture, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by ISB I-Venture as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5), keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

• Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as private limited and llp
• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

ISB I-WIN Accelerator for Women-Led Startups (Cohort 5) is best suited for product and revenue-stage startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.