Nikhil Kamath, the Co-founder of Zerodha, has introduced the “WTF Fund” in a recent podcast episode of “WTF.” This fund is designed to provide essential support to entrepreneurs under the age of 22 who are venturing into the realms of fashion, beauty, or home brands.
Kamath aims to select two deserving winners who will each receive Rs 40 lakh in funding. To make this initiative a reality, he’s joined by prominent figures in the industry, including Ananth Narayanan, Founder of Mensa Brands; Raj Shamani, Founder of House of X; and Kishore Biyani, CEO of The Future Group.
During the latest podcast episode, these entrepreneurs delved into various aspects of the business world. Narayanan discussed the intricacies of e-commerce and marketplaces, while Shamani emphasized the importance of going “digital-first” for business expansion. The conversation covered diverse topics, from scaling a fashion, beauty, or home brand from zero to Rs 20 crore and beyond.
“We will pick an entrepreneur in either fashion, beauty, or home brand who would otherwise not have got funding. And we will fund by virtue of this podcast to some young entrepreneurs under the age of 22 for this particular episode,” stated Kamath. This initiative aims to support entrepreneurs who often find it challenging to secure funding, especially at a young age.
Kamath emphasized the age limit, saying, “I’m saying specifically 22 because these guys find it much harder to raise funding. Typically, they are not at zero, but they’re in the journey of zero to one essentially.”
The deadline for applying for the WTF Fund cohort is October 16. To participate, founders must be under 22 years old, and their business ideas should align with the theme of the episode. Additionally, the startups must have demonstrated a minimum level of traction and performance that signifies their growth and impact.
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This initiative not only provides financial support but also offers young entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn and grow in the ever-evolving world of business.
