Event Coverage
Nikhil Kamath unveils the first cohort of innovators under 25
Mumbai: In a remarkable display of support for India’s entrepreneurial spirit, some of the country’s most influential figures, including Jeet Adani, Ananya Birla, Nithin Kamath, Jay Kotak, Shashwat Goenka, and Kishore Biyani, among many others, gathered in Mumbai to celebrate the launch of WTFund, India’s first non-equity grant fund. This exclusive summit, held on the 4 September, marked a significant moment in India’s startup ecosystem, spotlighting the next generation of innovators poised to drive the country’s future.
Nikhil Kamath unveils the first cohort of WTFund grantees
During the summit, Nikhil Kamath announced the inaugural cohort of WTFund grantees. The fund, designed to empower entrepreneurs under 25, has selected fifteen exceptional individuals whose groundbreaking ideas are set to transform industries ranging from healthcare to AI, and sustainable consumer goods.
Empowering the next generation
Addressing the gathering, Nikhil Kamath stated, “Entrepreneurs are ageless; you can build the next big thing whether you are 25 or 80. But, let’s face it—the energy, drive, and sheer audacity often come easier when you’re young. We’re deeply passionate about fostering this spirit in India’s youth under 25. We went looking for the smartest, coolest kids who are daring to start something big, and we found our 15. But this is just the beginning. From our dream of funding 9 companies today to aiding 9,000 young companies one day, we’re committed to building an India that isn’t afraid to take risks and step outside our comfort zones. The next decade belongs to India, and it will be driven by those who choose to build their own dreams rather than helping someone else realize theirs. Feel like you aren’t doing enough? Screw the regular job. Start something. All the resources you need are within your reach.”
The first fifteen innovators
The inaugural WTFund grantees represent a diverse array of industries, from early detection of gastrointestinal cancer to sustainable pet food. The selected startups include:
1 Pamawel: Plant-based, non-steroidal, FDA-approved pain relief formulations targeting menstrual pain.
2 Mars: Virtual Workstations that eliminate hardware limitations, providing affordable solutions for creators and builders in AI and no-code spaces.
3 Oh! Nuts: Premium, healthy nut-based snacks tailored for the growing Indian consumer market.
4 Pawsible Foods: Sustainable, plant-based pet food utilizing Kavaka™ mycoprotein.
5 RNT Health Insights: AI-assisted diagnostic software for gastrointestinal cancer detection.
6 Biocompute: Affordable DNA data storage chips, revolutionizing data centre efficiency.
7 CallPrep: AI-based B2B SaaS for sales preparation, integrating LinkedIn, CRM, and buyer intent data.
8 Urban Animal: India’s first dog DNA testing service, redefining pet care.
9 Pixa AI: AI-enhanced plush companions, merging the toy and AI companionship markets.
Support beyond funding
WTFund offers up to Rs 20 Lakh in non-equity grants, allowing founders to retain full ownership of their ventures. In addition to financial support, grantees gain access to mentorship from industry leaders, legal and accounting assistance, and strategic partnerships with top companies. These resources are designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools and connections they need to scale their businesses and make a lasting impact on their respective industries.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
