India Fund Fest 2020 – Startup Accelerator Program-II

Organized by

CHITKARA INNOVATION INCUBATOR FOUNDATION (CIIF)

India Fund Fest 2020, an exclusive accelerator program hosted by Chitkara Innovation Incubator Foundation (CIIF), brought together India's most promising startups and visionary investors under one roof. Held in 2020, this high-impact event was designed to bridge the gap between disruptive innovation and scalable investment.

Designed as India's largest single day startup funding platform, the Fest offered a focused, high-impact format: no needless speeches, no crowded stalls—just entrepreneurs and investors in a distraction free environment

Key Highlights

  • Curated Startup Showcase: 28 elite startups from 20 cities selected from a pool of 1000+ startups advanced to the finale, each receiving intensive coaching before pitching including an 'Investor Readiness Report' to ensure thorough vetting.
  • Pitching to Master Investors: The startups presented their business models to 12 master investors, including Nalin Singh (Founder of Natio Cultus) and Vijay Sambamurthi (Managing Partner of Lexygen), who also served as Deal Masters.
  • On-the-Spot Funding: Six startups, including prominent firms from Punjab and Chandigarh, raised a total of ₹6 crore directly at the event. Notable deals included Matchstatz Solutions (₹1 crore), Swastik Ride Now Global Solutions (₹50 lakhs), and Anukai Solutions (₹40 lakhs), all facilitated by CIIF’s incubation support.

Event Timeline

  • Registration Period: September 2019-December 2019
  • Preliminary Rounds: January 2020
  • Final of IFF : 7th February 2020

Media & Broadcasting

Broadcast Format

Impact & Legacy

  • Accelerated Funding Journeys: Startups gained direct access to investor capital, some closing deals worth lakhs in just hours.
  • Regional Ecosystem Activation: The Chandigarh edition inspired local founders and catalysed investor interest in Punjab & neighbouring states.
  • Campus Startup Empowerment: Chitkara University alumni demonstrated effective ecosystem integration, with tangible funding success stories

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of India Fund Fest 2020 in Chandigarh, CIIF continues to champion high-impact programs that:

  • Connect North India’s founders to national equity networks
  • Combine structured mentorship with investor readiness
  • Foster sustainable growth for early-stage ventures

Join CIIF’s journey—where innovation meets opportunity, and startups connect with capital.

Partners

Glimpses of the Event

India Fund Fest 2020 exemplified a streamlined approach to startup funding, focusing on quality interactions between entrepreneurs and investors, and contributed to the growth of India's startup ecosystem.