TiE Pune Nurture 15.0 — Equity-Free Startup Accelerator — Frequently Asked Questions

Your mentee company needs to be registered as a Private Limited company, a One Person Company (OPC) or a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). Beyond that, the doors are open: companies from anywhere in the world, at any stage of development and from any industry sector can apply. The one condition that applies to everyone is that TiE Associate Membership is mandatory for all participating founders and co-founders, and it has to remain active for the entire duration of the programme.

No. Nurture 15.0 does not give out direct cash funding. Its purpose is to make your startup funding ready and then put you in front of investors through the Investor Connect session and Demo Day, with mock pitches and feedback along the way so you are prepared for those conversations. Think of it as readiness and access rather than a cheque.

It does not. Nurture 15.0 is an equity-free programme, so TiE Pune takes no stake in your business in return for your place in the cohort. You keep full ownership of your company.

There is no participation fee for the Nurture Accelerator — it is an equity-free programme. The one cost you must account for is TiE Associate Membership, which is a mandatory prerequisite for every founder and co-founder taking part.

The cohort runs for 6 to 8 months in total. The journey includes a Kick-off event, Guru Sessions and workshops, a Strategic Bootcamp, a Finishing School and finally a Graduation Ceremony. Along the way you work on business model refinement, strategic focus, product development, go-to-market strategy and financial planning, with mentoring and investor-facing practice built into the schedule.

It runs in a hybrid format, combining virtual sessions with physical ones. Founders are expected to attend a few key events and workshops in person, and those are typically held in Pune.

Application forms are reviewed by the TiE Nurture Program Management team along with a selection committee of experienced entrepreneurs and industry veterans. Shortlisting looks at your business model, market potential, team strength and how well you align with the programme's objectives. Shortlisted companies may then be called for a detailed interview or a pitch presentation to the selection committee and a panel of mentors and investors, and the final decision considers growth potential, founder commitment and the likely impact of the programme on your journey.

Graduation depends on a few clear commitments. All founders and co-founders must keep their TiE Associate Membership active, show positive momentum against predefined goals, and complete a minimum of two mentor meetings every month. Attendance matters too: 80% for guru sessions, 100% for curated workshops, and key events are mandatory. You also need to deliver a crisp presentation during the Finishing School.

No — applications run on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date. You can submit your form whenever you are ready, though it is worth applying early so you can be considered for the next available cohort.

Apply through the official Nurture 15.0 application form. If you have queries before or after applying, you can write to nurture.pmo@tiepune.org or call +91 82619 33150. Remember that all founders and co-founders will need to hold, or obtain, TiE Associate Membership to take part.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for TiE Pune Nurture 15.0 — Equity-Free Startup Accelerator, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

TiE Pune Nurture 15.0 — Equity-Free Startup Accelerator is offered by TiE Pune. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.