Zone Startups In

What Zone Startups In does

Zone Startups India (ZSI) is a Mumbai-based technology startup accelerator and incubator operating since 2013 as part of BRTSIF (BIL-Ryerson Technology Startup Incubator Foundation), a not-for-profit joint venture between BSE Institute Ltd. (Mumbai), Ryerson University / Toronto Metropolitan University (Toronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). The company runs a portfolio of specialized accelerator programs including ZSINurtery (early-stage support), empoWer and SAMRIDH AcceleratHER (female founders), Next Big Idea Contest (annual competition), Gateway91 (cross-border market access), and India's first RegTech Accelerator launched in 2021 in partnership with the Reserve Bank of India, IFSCA, and GIFT City. Its core offering is a structured screening-to-Series-A support pipeline that accepts approximately 1% of applicants and has supported over 600 startups since inception, with portfolio companies collectively raising approximately 2400 Crores (~$288 million) and creating 2000+ jobs.

The underlying platform is services-based rather than technology-product-based: screening rigor, mentorship from a 50+ mentor network, connections to 40+ investors and 11 corporate partners, regulatory sandbox access for FinTech/RegTech startups, and cross-border soft-landing corridors to Canada and Southeast Asia. Programs are accessed through direct online applications and partner referrals, and the company does not develop proprietary software products, APIs, or AI models.

Revenue is generated indirectly through government grants (notably the Department of Science and Technology under the NIDHI Accelerator 2021 Scheme), corporate sponsorship (Shell Foundation, TELUS, GE Canada, Rogers, BSE Institute), the Canadian government's $1 million female-founder market access program, and seed-investment returns via Zone Startups Ventures. Because it operates as a not-for-profit foundation, no revenue is reported in the public materials, and pricing to portfolio startups is effectively zero (programs are free for selected founders).

Name

Zone Startups In

Legal name

Zone Startups India (ZSI) / BRTSIF (BIL-Ryerson Technology Startup Incubator Foundation)

Website

https://zonestartups.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zone Startups India is a Mumbai-based, not-for-profit technology startup accelerator founded in 2013, operating specialized programs (RegTech, FinTech, female-founder, cross-border) that have supported 600+ startups with mentorship, regulatory access, and market entry corridors to Canada and Southeast Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Incubator

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Computer Training (611420)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Startup incubation services
• Fintech accelerator
• Regtech accelerator
• Seed funding programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Program Sponsorship: Zone Startups India receives funding from government bodies including the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India under schemes like NIDHI Accelerator. Programs are partly sponsored to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
2. Corporate Partnerships: The organization partners with corporations who sponsor programs and gain access to innovative startups for potential investments, partnerships, or acquisitions.
3. Investment Returns: Through accelerator programs, Zone Startups India identifies high-potential startups and may provide seed funding in exchange for equity, generating returns when portfolio companies succeed or raise subsequent funding rounds.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Zone Startups India operates a portfolio of startup accelerator and incubation programs providing screening, mentorship, seed capital, market validation, customer acquisition support, and cross-border market access to early-stage technology startups. The organization runs specialized programs including empoWer (female founders), RegTech Accelerator, Next Big Idea Contest, Gateway Market Access, and ZSINurtery, supported by a network of 40+ investors, 50+ mentors, and 11 corporate partners.

Product overview

Zone Startups In is a global network of accelerator programs transforming innovative ideas and products into world-class companies. The company operates a platform-plus-programs architecture consisting of multiple geographically distinct accelerator programs (DMZ Ventures/Toronto, Zone Startups India/Mumbai, DMZ Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh City, Zone Startups Sports + Media/Canada) and specialized vertical programs (empoWer for female founders, RegTech Accelerator, Next Big Idea Contest, Gateway Market Access, Powered Accelerator, Zone Startups Ventures VC fund). The core offerings are accelerator programs providing screening, mentorship, seed capital, market validation, and Series A support to early-stage technology startups across 11 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• empoWer: Accelerator for female founders based in Mumbai looking to scale and grow their businesses
• Next Big Idea Contest
• RegTech Accelerator
• Gateway91

Products and services

• RegTech Accelerator India's first RegTech accelerator program providing startups access to regulatory sandboxes, open APIs, POC trials, and pilots, in partnership with RBI, IFSCA, and GIFT City. Designed for regulatory technology startups working on compliance automation and financial services innovation.
• ZSINurtery

Quantifiable outcome

• 127 startups incubated and 414 accelerated since 2013
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• TELUSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2017TELUS joined Zone Startups Calgary as a key contributor, providing startups with access to TELUS experts, business units, leading-edge equipment, and wireless technology to help expand their businesses.
• BSE Institute Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSE Institute Ltd. is a joint venture partner in BRTSIF (BIL-Ryerson Technology Startup Incubator Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation that operates Zone Startups India. This partnership provides access to BSE's financial ecosystem and regulatory relationships.
• Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyerson University is a founding joint venture partner in BRTSIF, bringing international accelerator expertise and the Zone Startups/DMZ model to India. The partnership enables cross-border programs and knowledge transfer.
• Simon Fraser UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon Fraser University is a joint venture partner in BRTSIF, contributing to the international startup support ecosystem connecting Indian startups with Canadian markets.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRBI is a regulator partner in the RegTech Accelerator Program, providing startups access to sandboxes, open APIs, and regulatory guidance for compliance and innovation.
• International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSCA is a regulatory partner in the RegTech Accelerator Program, supporting the development of RegTech solutions in India's GIFT City financial hub.
• GE CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGE Canada formed Zone Startups Calgary with Ryerson Futures to accelerate growth of startups in digital industrial space, energy industry, smart cities, and clean technology.
• Rogers CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRogers partnered with Zone Startups for the Sports + Media accelerator program, Canada's leading accelerator for startups in sports and media technology.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator with deep presence in India and Southeast Asia. Comparable in seed capital deployment, founder-day-one support, and rapid global expansion across emerging markets.
• Plug and Play: Global startup accelerator and venture fund operating vertical-specific programs with corporate partners. Comparable in corporate-sponsored vertical programs (FinTech, RegTech, etc.) and platform-plus-programs architecture.
• MassChallenge: Global non-profit/impact-focused accelerator network with programs in multiple countries and verticals. Closely comparable in mission, non-profit structure, large applicant funnel, and partnership-heavy operating model.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator with multiple industry-focused programs (including FinTech and RegTech) backed by corporate sponsors. Closely comparable in vertical specialization and corporate-funded program structure.

Regional players

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Government of India flagship initiative fostering entrepreneurship through Atal Incubation Centers and Atal Tinkering Labs. Comparable in mission and government-funded accelerator model within India, though operating at a broader scale across the country.
• NASSCOM 10,000 Startups: India-focused initiative from NASSCOM supporting early-stage tech startups with mentorship, investor access, and corporate connects. Comparable in domestic Indian accelerator activity and ecosystem-development mission.
• T-Hub: India's largest startup incubator based in Hyderabad, with government and corporate backing and programs spanning multiple verticals. Directly comparable as a domestic Indian accelerator competitor with state-level institutional support.

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: The world's leading startup accelerator; comparable in core activity (screening, mentorship, seed capital, Series A support) but operates at vastly larger scale, accepts founders globally, and has shifted toward larger, longer programs including a dedicated India focus.
• Techstars: Global accelerator network with multiple vertical and geographic programs, including mentorship-driven cohorts and a seed fund. Directly comparable in accelerator model and the use of corporate partnerships to sponsor programs.

Emerging players

• Sequoia Surge: Sequoia Capital India's accelerator program for early-stage startups, offering seed capital and mentorship. Comparable in early-stage Indian startup targeting, though backed by significantly larger capital and a global VC brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZoneStartupsIn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ryerson-futures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments22 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zone Startups In