Nikhil Kamath Picks 9 Entrepreneurs; WTFund Cohort 2 Open Now

At just 36, Nikhil Kamath has already left an indelible mark on India’s financial landscape. His journey from being a 10th grade dropout to a billionaire entrepreneur is nothing short of inspirational. Now, Kamath is paying it forward, leveraging his experience and resources to empower India’s youth. The co-founder of Zerodha and True Beacon, has set his sights on nurturing the next generation of innovators with his latest venture: WTFund. With the startups from the first round picked, he’s now announced that applications are open for WTFund Cohort 2.

The WTFund Advantage

WTFund isn’t just another startup accelerator; it’s India’s premiere non-dilutive grant fund for emerging entrepreneurs. What sets it apart is its laser focus on founders under the age of 25, recognizing that some of the most groundbreaking ideas come from fresh, unencumbered minds.

The fund’s first cohort (C1/24) has already made its mark, selecting nine startups with 15 young founders. These startups span a diverse range of industries, from health tech to sustainable pet food, showcasing the breadth of innovation brewing in India’s youth.

Meet the WTFund’s First Cohort:

The inaugural batch of WTFund startups is nothing short of impressive. Let’s take a closer look at some of these innovative ventures:

Oh Nuts! by Arjun Thakur & Kunal Arora

Tapping into the growing health-conscious Indian consumer market, Oh Nuts! offers premium, nut-based snacks. Using a blend of almonds, cashews, peanuts, chickpeas, and foxnuts, they’re redefining healthy snacking in India.

RNT Health Insights by Tanmaya Gulati & Ria Khurana

With a staggering 96% diagnosis rate, RNT Health Insights is revolutionizing gastrointestinal cancer detection. Their AI-assisted diagnostic software promises to make cancer detection faster, safer, and more accurate, potentially saving countless lives.

Pixa.ai by Sparsh Agrawal

Imagine a plush toy that grows and learns with your child. Pixa.ai is making this a reality with the world’s first AI-enhanced plush companions, bridging the gap between traditional toys and cutting-edge AI technology.

Mars by Advait B.

Mars is democratizing access to high-powered computing with their Virtual Workstations. By removing hardware limitations, they’re providing affordable solutions for creators and builders in AI and no-code spaces, particularly targeting the South Asian and Southeast Asian markets.

CallPrep by Bhavesh Kotwani, Pooja Midha & Nikhil Mehta

Sales efficiency gets a boost with CallPrep’s AI-based B2B SaaS solution. By integrating data from LinkedIn, CRM systems, and buyer intent tools, they’re addressing the time-consuming process of manual meeting preparation.

Pawsible Foods by Samyak Baid & Armaan Dhanda

Sustainability meets pet nutrition with Pawsible Foods. They’re pioneering the use of Kavaka™ mycoprotein in plant-based pet food, catering to the growing market of environmentally conscious pet owners in India and Southeast Asia.

PAMAWEL by Sharmistha Mondal & Nikhil GK

Addressing the often overlooked issue of menstrual pain, PAMAWEL is creating plant-based, non-steroidal, FDA-approved pain relief formulations. Their innovative approach targets a broad pain relief market, starting with menstrual health.

Biocompute by Anagha Rajesh

In an era of exponential data growth, Biocompute is tackling the challenge head-on. They’re developing the world’s most affordable DNA data storage chip, aiming to make data centers 1000x more energy efficient while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and e-waste.

Urban Animal by Akash Murali & Arunav Vaish

Urban Animal is bringing pet care into the 21st century with India’s first dog DNA testing service. Targeting pet parents, vets, and breeders, they’re reshaping the future of petcare with globally competitive pricing and a strong community focus.

The Future is Now: WTFund Cohort 2 (C2/24)

The success of the first cohort has set the stage for even greater things to come. WTFund is now accepting applications for its second cohort (C2/24). If you’re a young entrepreneur at or under the age of 25 with a groundbreaking idea, this could be your moment to shine.

What WTFund Cohort 2 Offers:

For young entrepreneurs, WTFund is more than just a funding source. It’s a launchpad that provides:

1. A substantial INR 20 Lakh grant
2. Mentorship from experienced operators
3. Access to the dynamic WTF ecosystem for user connections and strategic go-to-market support
4. A community for beta testing and product refinement
5. Talent acquisition support through internship programs and fractional CXO databases
6. High-profile demo days with leading investors and syndicates

Nikhil Kamath and WTFund are betting big on the potential of India’s young minds. As the fund continues to grow and nurture new talent, it’s poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian entrepreneurship. With initiatives like WTFund, the support and resources are there. All you need to bring is your passion, your idea, and your unwavering drive to make a difference.

The next big innovation could be yours. Are you ready to take the leap? Apply HERE.