01 / Capital
Prototype funding
₹10 lakh in non-dilutive support to build an MVP, test the core hypothesis and get to first proof.
IIT Kanpur · Class of 2026
Made in Fire Fund
Every great company begins with one believer.
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Why this exists
Ideas are abundant. Early belief is rare.
Sometimes the difference between an idea that dies and a company that changes the world is simply that someone chose to back it early.
The Made in Fire Fund exists to become that first believer for graduating founders with conviction, courage and the ability to build.
The launch cohort
Starting with the
Class of 2026.
₹1Cr
Total founder fund
10
Founding teams selected from this graduating batch
₹10L
Non-dilutive prototype funding for each selected startup
Beyond capital
What founders receive.
02 / Mentorship
Founder office hours
Structured guidance from Rajnish Kumar, ixigo leaders and experienced founders from the ixigo ecosystem.
03 / Network
Builder access
Product reviews, go-to-market guidance, hiring counsel and introductions to operators and domain experts.
04 / Momentum
Demo Day
A platform to present progress, sharpen the story and meet relevant investors when the venture is ready.
Selection philosophy
Founders first.
Pitch decks second.
The fund will back builders, not presentation polish. The final cohort will be selected through a structured application and evaluation process, with detailed filters agreed jointly with IIT Kanpur.
Founder conviction
Depth of the user problem
Originality of approach
Ability to execute
Long-term thinking
Coachability
The long game
From one cohort to a builder ecosystem.
The ambition goes beyond funding ten companies. It is to help create a culture in which more IIT Kanpur graduates choose to build—and successful founders return as mentors, investors and first believers for those who follow.
Twenty-five years ago, IIT Kanpur gave me the confidence to build. This is my way of helping the next generation take its first leap.
— Rajnish Kumar
⌁ Class of 2026
Build what should exist.
Applications and detailed eligibility criteria will be announced in partnership with IIT Kanpur. Leave your email and you'll hear first.
✓ You're in. We'll write to you when applications open.