TDF onboards five venture capital firms as investor partners for its accelerator programme

The Digital Fifth (TDF), a fintech consulting firm, said it has onboarded five venture capital firms – Equanimity Investments, Flourish Ventures, IIFL Fintech Fund, IvyCap Ventures Advisors, and 8i Ventures as its investor partners for its accelerator programme.The partnership will bolster early-stage startups in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sectors and help in scrutinizing the startups that have been shortlisted. The evaluation will serve as a gateway for potential investment opportunities, with funding prospects extending up to a Series A round. The investors will also get the first opportunity to write the first check in the shortlisted startups.

“Each investor brings a wealth of knowledge and resources that are crucial for nurturing early-stage ventures. Their commitment underscores the vital role of informed, supportive partners in shaping the fintech landscape of tomorrow,” said Sameer Singh Jaini, founder and CEO, The Digital Fifth.

Amid a situation where early stage fintech startups are vying for visibility and capital, the accelerator programme has been created to help ideas and early stage fintechs to get access to funds and mentoring. The first batch of startups to be groomed under the accelerator programme will be announced in February at the Bharat Fintech Summit.

Startups inducted into the accelerator will gain access to TDF’s extensive network, including banks, financial services, and a host of fintech companies. The company said about ten startups would form the inaugural batch, and will receive personalized mentoring from TDF’s premier consulting team. The event could serve as a launchpad for securing investment ranging from Seed to Series A funding.

With fintech startups in India having secured over $2 billion in funding across approximately 125 deals in the previous year alone, and the total valuation of the fintech sector expected to reach $150 billion by 2025, TDF’s accelerator programme is positioned to contribute to this growth trajectory by nurturing the next wave of fintech innovators, it said.

Established in 2017, the firm is a consulting firm for banks, non-banking financial companies, wealth management, mutual funds and insurance sectors.