Razorpay partners with MeitY startup hub to boost deep tech innovation in India's hinterlands

Razorpay has joined hands with MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), a key initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to foster India’s deep tech and emerging tech ecosystem. Announced on Tuesday, the partnership is poised to empower startups, especially those operating in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with access to Razorpay’s fintech infrastructure, founder-first tools, and exclusive mentorship opportunities.

MSH plays a pivotal role in India’s tech vision by connecting incubation centres, Centres of Excellence, and strategic partners to help tech-driven startups scale sustainably. With over 159,000 DPIIT-recognised startups and 1.6 million jobs created, MSH continues to expand its support to early-stage ventures building solutions in AI, blockchain, IoT, robotics, and more.

At the heart of this partnership is Razorpay Rize, the company’s flagship initiative focused on early-stage startups. Through this program, startups associated with MSH will be offered a seamless incorporation experience, including priority support for registering as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or One Person Company. This early-stage formalisation will be complemented by a suite of resources tailored to help founders structure and grow their ventures efficiently.

These startups will also receive guidance for applying to global accelerators such as Y Combinator, along with access to expert-led pitch deck reviews, detailed founder toolkits, and a dedicated knowledge hub. To further support their journeys, a selected cohort every quarter will be inducted into the exclusive Razorpay Rize Community—providing access to curated peer networks, verified founder directories, and personalised mentorship from Razorpay leaders and domain experts.

Moreover, founders will gain entry to invitation-only masterclasses focused on navigating the earliest stages of building and scaling a business. These sessions will cover practical topics such as marketing, accounting, and product development—delivered by seasoned entrepreneurs who’ve built real-world ventures. Additionally, startups will be equipped with product credits across Razorpay’s offerings, including its payment gateway, business banking platform, and payroll management tools—ensuring they have the infrastructure in place to scale from day one.

Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MSH, emphasised the importance of such collaborations. “Our partnership with Razorpay will empower founders, especially in emerging regions, to build with speed and confidence… ensuring that startups scale not just fast, but with clarity, purpose, and resilience.”

Echoing the sentiment, Arif Khan, Chief Innovation Officer at Razorpay, said, “This partnership is about giving early-stage founders the tools, mentorship, and confidence to build boldly… We’re here to help them scale with purpose—not alone, but supported at every step.”

This initiative builds on Razorpay’s broader startup enablement strategy. The fintech firm has previously partnered with state governments in Rajasthan, Assam, and Kerala to launch region-specific startup programs. Razorpay continues to deepen its commitment through programs like Rize, its Venture Investment Program, and campaigns such as “Imagined Through AI” and “The Next Big Thing”.

Founded in 2014 by IIT Roorkee alumni Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur , Razorpay has grown into a full-stack fintech platform backed by global investors like GIC, Tiger Global, Peak XV Partners, and MasterCard. With this partnership, it doubles down on supporting the next wave of India’s tech entrepreneurs.