The New South Wales (NSW) Government has partnered with Indian incubator Afthonia Labs to launch an accelerator program aimed at supporting NSW startups in entering and thriving in the Indian market. The six-month program will assist eight fintech startups with market entry support, mentorship, and valuable industry insights, enabling them to establish a sustainable presence in India.

The selected startups include RackCorp, Inaam.ai, GoMist, ViCyber, Footprint Labs, Wholesale Investor, Cyberstash, and Enteruptors. This diverse group specializes in areas such as cybersecurity and AI-powered platforms, reflecting the innovative spirit of the tech sector.

India is recognized for its vibrant startup culture and boasts a $250 billion tech industry, making it an attractive market for international expansion. The accelerator program will be based in Bangalore, combining in-person and virtual sessions to maximize engagement and learning opportunities for participating startups.

This initiative builds on the collaborative efforts between NSW and India in the realm of innovation. Earlier this year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the NSW Government, India's National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), and Business NSW. This agreement aims to facilitate accelerated access to each other's markets for startups, enhancing collaboration and growth opportunities.

Members of NASSCOM, the peak body representing technology businesses in India, will have access to the International Landing Pad at the Sydney Startup Hub. In return, NSW technology companies will benefit from NASSCOM's resources, which will assist them in finding suitable partners and clients to foster growth in the Indian market.

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong expressed the government's commitment to nurturing opportunities arising from the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). He emphasized the importance of facilitating international growth for technology companies, stating, "For technology companies looking to grow and expand overseas, there can be significant obstacles when it comes to setting up, understanding foreign markets, and ensuring they're connected with the right people".

Chanthivong added, "Our partnership with Afthonia Labs provides a great opportunity for NSW fintech startups to learn more about India's regulatory environment and engage directly with corporate funding partners to support their international growth. With the AI-ECTA in place and negotiations continuing for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), now is the right time for NSW businesses to capitalize on the economic opportunities in the fast-growing Indian market".

Tanul Mishra, Founder of Afthonia Labs, highlighted the program's potential, stating, "With a strategic blend of resources, mentorship, and robust industry networks, our accelerator program offers an unmatched opportunity for NSW startups to build a sustainable foothold in India one of the world's most dynamic markets".