MITID’s Design-Led Startup Accelerator Programme DesignGild Invites Applications For Its First Batch

Pune-based DesignGild, claimed to be India’s first Design-led startup accelerator programme and an initiative of the MIT Institute of Design (MITID), has announced the launch of its first batch. The boot camp for these startups will begin from January 2017 in Pune.

With this accelerator programme, DesignGild will create an ecosystem helping the startups grow in their sector. DesignGild provides fund up to $29.4K (INR 2 Mn) per team against 3% equity and support five startups a year.

As said by Professor Anant Chakradeo, Dean, MITID: “DesignGild is an initiative by MIT ID that builds on this legacy and aims to create an ecosystem for startups where they get best of design mentorship and resources to build their business.”

The startups selected will be part of a six-month programme, wherein startups will get an exposure to new design methods, co-working space, access to prototyping facilities, IPR consulting and facilitation. They will also get business development support, public relations and processes to enable them to unlock business opportunities.

DesignGild’s mentors include Snehal Vasani, Managing Director, Kitchen Grace (Part of Asian Paints); Sachin Tagra, Associate VP, Brand Capital; Ashish Despande, Co Founder, Elephant Design, Vice President, Association of Designers of India; Apurva Chamaria, Vice-President and Head, Corporate Marketing, HCL Tech; Abhimanyu Kulkarni, Design Head, Philips; Nachiket Thakur, General Manager R&D, a Raymond Fasteners India Pvt Ltd; Shekhar Badve, Director LokusDesign; and Jay Dutta, Design Partner at Saif Partners.

DesignGild also has a strategic partnership with The Institute of Healthcare Design Thinking – US.

Harshit Desai, Chief Operating Officer, DesignGild said, “Globally design is gaining recognition as an important driver of innovation and business growth. Designgild acknowledges this and aims to create an ecosystem where high-quality design mentorship and resources are made available to startups. The accelerator programme will help startups to convert their ideas into market-ready product and service offerings and create value at the intersection of design, technology and business.”

Interested startups can apply here.