Chennai: The deadline for applications to STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025 has been extended until 27th August 2025, giving FinTech innovators additional time to apply for India’s premier FinTech startup accelerator initiative.
The STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025 is a flagship program under Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), supported by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Government of India, and the Government of Tamil Nadu through ELCOT.
Academic and industry collaborations include IIT Madras, Intellect Design Arena Ltd., BNY Mellon, TransUnion CIBIL, among others.
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The initiative provides FinTech startups with access to funding, cutting-edge infrastructure, mentorship, and policy guidance to fast-track their growth journey.
Eligibility for STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025
Startups applying to the STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025 must meet the following criteria:
- Be incorporated as a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013, with not more than 10 years since incorporation.
- Have at least 51% ownership by Indian citizens.
- Annual turnover must not exceed ₹100 crore since incorporation.
- Must focus on innovation, scalability, and high employment or wealth creation potential.
- Entities not yet incorporated can apply, but selected participants must register as a Private Limited Company within three months.
Focus Areas of STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025
The program is inviting applications from early to growth-stage startups in FinTech sectors such as:
- Digital Lending and Payments
- RegTech, InsurTech, WealthTech
- Embedded Finance, AI/ML for BFSI
- Blockchain and Compliance Tech
- Open Banking and Cross-Border Payments
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Benefits for Selected Startups
Participants in the STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025 will receive:
- Seed funding support of up to ₹25 lakhs and grants up to ₹2.5 lakhs.
- Access to a secure sandbox testing environment.
- Plug-and-play co-working infrastructure.
- Direct connects with venture capitalists, angel investors, and BFSI leaders.
- Mentorship from domain experts and policy advisors.
- Pitching opportunities and Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy support.
- Ecosystem backing from STPI, MeitY, and the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Currently, over 60 FinTech startups supported by FinBlue have a combined valuation exceeding ₹2,500 crore.
Evaluation and Pitching Process
Applications for the STPI FinBlue PitchFest 2025 will undergo a multi-stage evaluation:
- Initial Shortlisting by an expert selection committee.
- Pitching Round before an expert panel (8–10 minute presentation + Q&A).
- Final Selection by the FinBlue Advisory Board/PMG, expected before 10th September 2025.
The evaluation will focus on innovation, problem-solution fit, founding team strength, scalability, traction, and execution capability.
