Entrepreneurs First (EF) Bangalore Fall 26

• Exceptional individual founders at the earliest stage, seeking co-founder matching and funding.

About this scheme

Entrepreneurs First (EF) Bangalore Fall 26 is an intensive, in-person program for ambitious individuals aiming to build world-class companies from scratch. As a global talent investor, EF specializes in helping exceptional people find co-founders and develop breakthrough ideas, particularly those without a team or concept yet. The program operates on the philosophy that the right founder matters more than the idea: EF selects exceptional individuals, brings them together in Bangalore, and supports them through co-founder matching, company formation, and early fundraising.

The program provides an equity-free grant during the ideation phase, followed by up to $250,000 in investment upon company formation and potential for up to $5 million in follow-on funding through Series B. Participants unlock over $600,000 in partner credits including $350,000 in Microsoft Azure credits and $250,000+ from OpenAI, Anthropic, GitHub, PostHog, Datadog, and ElevenLabs. Participants receive a dedicated advisor, nine months of Bangalore office space, expert co-founder guidance, and access to EF's global alumni network. The program culminates in an SF Demo Day pitching to 200+ VC partners, with typical raises of $1 to $7 million within weeks. EF alumni have raised from Sequoia, Lightspeed, and Andreessen Horowitz across AI, deep tech, fintech, and enterprise software.

Who can apply

• The program targets ambitious individuals with the drive to build world-class companies rather than join an existing venture.
• No co-founder or existing idea required.
• Full-time, in-person commitment in Bangalore is mandatory for the entire program duration.
• A LinkedIn profile or personal website is required.
• Only individual founders are eligible; applications from pre-existing companies or established entities are not accepted.

Eligible entity types: Individual Innovator

Benefits & funding

• Equity-free grant during ideation, up to $250k investment upon company formation, and potential for $5M follow-on funding.
• Over $600k in partner credits (Azure, OpenAI, etc.).
• Includes a dedicated advisor, 9 months of Bangalore office space, expert co-founder guidance, and access to EF's global alumni network.
• Culminates in an SF Demo Day pitching to VCs.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Entrepreneurs First (EF), in your own name.

1. 1

   The application involves three selection rounds.

2. 2

   After submission, candidates receive further questions.

3. 3

   EF reviews applications and selects founders for in-person interviews.

Frequently asked questions