An intensive people strategy accelerator for founders struggling with the transition between pre-Series A and Series B.
Startups at pre-series A/series A are most vulnerable to people-related stresses. These are always costly, and very often fatal. In these stages, the startup has moved on from being a 'group of friends' but hasn't yet become a large, well-resourced machine with clear processes and SOPs. Founders in these stages particularly find themselves overstretched between pushing behind growth and managing operations. The startup faces a tension between 'hustle' and 'SOPs', with no clear path to formalisation. The People & Culture Accelerator by CIIE.CO at IIM Ahmedabad is designed for pre-Series A/ series A startups struggling with challenges related to talent and people related processes. It includes designed and tested interventions across the spectrum of challenges faced by founders such as hiring, performance management, building culture, being a leader etc.
Kickoff with a 3-day residential bootcamp at the IIM campus in Ahmedabad. Includes masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions by CIIE.CO Partners, IIMA Professors and industry leaders. This is where we share the foundational knowledge required for all founders in their people management journey.
Two bespoke clinics to aid diagnosing barriers and enable problem solving for each participating startup. Based on their needs, startups can choose their problem statement or arrive at one in consultation with CIIE.CO experts.
12 weekly virtual townhalls for the entire cohort - where we leverage the do it together model of ideating the most effective approaches to unique challenges. These discussions will be curated so as to identify unique challenges and suggest solutions pre-emptively, using peer groups' experiences.
Avail benefits upward of $500k from a curated list of 35+ partners and CIIE.CO portfolio startups. Includes cloud (Google and AWS), collaboration (Notion, Canva, Synth), development tools (enableX, Exotel), Payments (PayTM, Cashfree, PayU, RazorPay, Stripe), Marketing (HubSpot, MoEngage), HR Management (Zoho, EquityList), Enterprise Infra, Coworking (WeWorks, 91Springboard) and Corporate Insurance.
The bootcamp will bring in expert faculty from IIMA. You will have the opportunity to engage with the best of academic minds over the tenure of the accelerator. You will also have access to cases co-authored by the IIMA faculty, focusing almost exclusively on the growth pains of startups.
Tap over 20 years of CIIE.CO's experience in incubating, accelerating, seeding and funding game-changing technology centric startups. We've seeded and accelerated 1000+ startups, mentored 5000+ startups. We manage USD 100+ mn in AUM across 3 funds, and have enabled USD 350+ mn in follow on funding for our startups
Finding the right talent, articulating advantages, hiring on a budget.
Composites of a “fantastic” offer, structuring ESOPs, “total rewards”.
Not losing momentum with attrition, discerning high value talent, exit processes.
Role clarity, HR’s role, hiring planning estimation and connecting to strategy.
Designing processes that work, setting goals and tracking goals, communicating for outcome.
Role evolution through growth, leadership & culture, building strong teams, managing conflict and leadership skills with delegation, people skills, managing difficult conversations, crisis management.
When to look for a co-founder, onboarding and building synergy with co-founders, equity splits.
HR tech, AI, and managing COVID-time “WFH” behaviour lags.
The People & Culture Accelerator is designed for founders of startups at pre-series A/series-A stages, ideally with a team size of up to 30 employees.
If you are in the indicated growth stage and the above challenges are pressing pain points for you – we encourage you to apply.
We invite founders from all sectors.
