GIFT City is building a dynamic and integrated fintech ecosystem with two pioneering initiatives: the GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI) and the GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT IFIH).These initiatives are designed to elevate India’s fintech landscape by fostering industry-aligned education, accelerating start-up growth, and promoting cutting-edge research and innovation in financial services. Located in India’s first smart city, GIFT City, these initiatives aim to position India at the forefront of global fintech advancements while driving inclusive and sustainable growth.
GIFT INTERNATIONAL FINTECH
INSTITUTE
The GIFT IFI is set to become a global hub for fintech education, equipping individuals and organizations with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital financial world. Designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the fintech sector, the IFI will focus on industry-aligned education, applied research, and innovation.
Spearheaded by a consortium led by Ahmedabad University, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and the University of California, San Diego, the IFI brings together academic excellence and cutting-edge research. This collaboration ensures that the IFI delivers world-class programs that prepare professionals to lead in the global fintech landscape.
The IFI will offer a range of programs—certifications, diplomas, and professional courses—co-designed with industry experts and global institutions. These programs will cover critical areas such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital payments, data security, and regulatory frameworks, preparing students for the future of fintech.
Applied Research & Development
As a research hub, the IFI will drive innovation in fintech by collaborating with academic institutions, fintech companies, and government bodies. Its focus on applied R&D will ensure that the fintech ecosystem stays at the forefront of new technologies, products, and market trends, while also contributing to the development of supportive regulatory frameworks.
GIFT INTERNATIONAL FINTECH
INNOVATION HUB
The GIFT IFIH, GIFT City’s fintech incubator and accelerator, will provide a dynamic, collaborative environment where fintech start-ups can incubate, accelerate, and scale. By creating a networked ecosystem of industry experts, investors, mentors, and corporates, the IFIH will drive innovation while supporting emerging companies as they navigate the challenges of growth.
Plug and Play, a global leader in accelerating innovation and scaling tech start-ups, will operate the IFIH. With its proven track record of supporting fintech companies, Plug and Play will offer strategic guidance, investment opportunities, and mentorship to ensure that start-ups thrive on a global scale.
The IFIH will provide world-class incubation and acceleration services, offering personalized mentoring, funding access, workspace, legal and regulatory guidance, and business development support. Focused on empowering women-founded start-ups and fostering diversity, the hub aims to position its start-ups as global leaders in fintech.
Building a Collaborative Ecosystem
The IFIH will foster collaboration among fintech start-ups, academic institutions, government bodies, investors, and accelerators. By creating a shared space for knowledge exchange, the hub will drive innovation, improve market access, and accelerate the development of solutions to key challenges such as financial inclusion and access to credit.