Flipkart has opened applications for the third cohort of its startup accelerator program, Flipkart Leap. Startups chosen for the program will have the opportunity to collaborate with Flipkart’s product teams, network with technology leaders within the company, and run pilots with various business units.
The program offers pre-seed and seed funding ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 through the $100 million Flipkart Ventures fund.
Startups across the globe focusing on user and seller experiences, inventory and supply chain, payments and credit in the e-commerce ecosystem can apply for the program. The programme will enable mentorship with industry leaders and subject matter experts and provide access to resources helping startups contribute to India’s growing e-commerce space, Flipkart said.
Naren Ravula, Vice President and Head of Product Strategy and Flipkart Labs, said, “We started the Flipkart Leap Innovation Network to provide startups with an opportunity to bring their business propositions to life and to further strengthen our culture of innovation. The program garnered remarkable attention from startups in the first two cohorts, exhibiting immense interest, innovative ideas, and a strong entrepreneurial drive.”
In the second cohort, Flipkart selected six startups for pilot programs: Sangti (logistics), VTION Digital Analytics, Anagog (user intelligence solutions), Speedsize (media optimization), SignalIX (AI-based due diligence for small businesses), and Botika (generative AI for cataloguing). The first cohort included four startups: Ashfield, ElixiaTech, Intellewings, and TryndBuy.
Furthermore, Flipkart recently announced that it has surpassed 1.4 million sellers, marking a 27% growth compared to the previous year, in preparation for its Big Billion Days sale. In July, Flipkart introduced six policy changes for sellers through its Flipkart EDGE initiative, which focuses on pricing recommendations, promotions, rewards platforms, fulfillment and speed initiatives, and guidance assistance to enhance the cost efficiency and sustainability of MSMEs selling on the platform.
It concludes with a demo day where invite-only venture capital firms can explore future funding opportunities. The program is open to startups globally focusing on various aspects of the e-commerce ecosystem, including user and seller experiences, inventory and supply chain, payments, and credit.
