The Wadhwani Foundation and PhonePe Payment Gateway have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the growth of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India. The collaboration, formalised through an MoU in Delhi, will integrate Wadhwani’s flagship entrepreneurship programmes with PhonePe’s digital payment and app distribution platforms.
The initiative aims to democratise access to digital payments, customers, capital and markets, helping early-stage and growth-stage ventures scale faster and at lower cost. It will bring together Wadhwani’s Liftoff and Accelerate programmes with PhonePe’s Payment Gateway solutions and its India-focused Indus Appstore.
What is Liftoff? How will Wadhwani Foundation and Phone Pe partner up?
Liftoff, an AI-powered venture advisor, offers idea-stage entrepreneurs free, personalised guidance, expert connections and curated resources without equity dilution. With PhonePe’s support, participants will also gain access to digital payment infrastructure and app distribution tools to launch and grow their businesses more effectively.
For scaling ventures, Wadhwani Accelerate provides growth-stage support through venture partners, playbooks, market access and curated capital connects. PhonePe will complement these with ecosystem expertise, digital tools and new customer linkages.
PhonePe Payment Gateway will offer startups zero merchant service fees for the first three months (up to ₹5 lakh TPV), a self-serve onboarding toolkit and dedicated account support. App-based ventures can leverage the Indus Appstore for distribution with zero listing fees, fair commissions and India-based developer support. Founders will also have access to capability-building initiatives, including masterclasses on go-to-market strategy, sales, finance and growth delivered by PhonePe leaders.
What did Ankit Gaur and Meetul B. Patel say?
“Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs to create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth,” said Meetul B. Patel, President – Entrepreneurship, Wadhwani Foundation. “This partnership with PhonePe offers startups and SMEs not just solutions, but an India-first growth pathway — from customers to capital — at a scale that truly levels the playing field.”
Ankit Gaur, head (Payment Gateway & Online Merchants), PhonePe, added: “We’re proud to partner with the Wadhwani Foundation. This collaboration underscores our unwavering commitment to empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions that drive growth, unlock opportunities and enable them to scale.”
The launch event in Delhi was attended by more than 80 founders, SME leaders and ecosystem stakeholders. Future phases may expand the tie-up to skilling and other support programmes.