NUCFDC and IIMA Ventures Launch Bharat COOPATHON 2025

The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation Ltd (NUCFDC), the Umbrella Organisation for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), in collaboration with IIMA Ventures, has launched Bharat COOPATHON 2025, a national innovation programme aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of Urban Cooperative Banks across India.

The selection-based initiative seeks to connect high-potential technology innovators with UCBs to enable the deployment of compliant, scalable and indigenous digital solutions tailored specifically to the cooperative banking ecosystem. Start-ups, fintech companies, technologists, product teams and data innovators have been invited to submit solutions addressing the unique operational and regulatory challenges faced by UCBs.

Bharat COOPATHON 2025 is designed to equip Urban Cooperative Banks with cost-effective digital tools to modernise core banking systems, strengthen risk management frameworks and improve overall operational efficiency. Submissions will be evaluated through a transparent, criteria-driven process focusing on innovation, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, scalability and ease of deployment.

The initiative also aims to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen governance standards and build long-term resilience within the urban cooperative banking sector. A strong emphasis has been placed on cybersecurity and data protection, with a focus on data sovereignty, customer safety and adherence to regulatory norms. The programme further promotes sector-wide standardisation and encourages sustainable partnerships between innovators and banks for both pilot projects and full-scale implementation.

Speaking on the launch, Prabhat Chaturvedi, CEO, NUCFDC, said, “Urban Cooperative Banks play a critical role in India’s financial inclusion agenda and have traditionally been at the heart of community-based finance. While larger UCBs have made progress in digital adoption, many small and mid-sized banks continue to operate with limited technological infrastructure. Bharat COOPATHON 2025 aims to bridge this gap by connecting UCBs with fit-for-purpose technology solutions, enabling faster and more effective digital modernisation.”

Priyanka Chopra, CEO and Managing Partner, IIMA Ventures, said the programme offers a structured pathway for meaningful transformation. “Urban Cooperative Banks are well positioned for digital growth. Bharat COOPATHON 2025 provides innovators a strong platform to showcase deployable solutions and collaborate with UCBs to achieve measurable real-world impact, particularly for underserved and lower-income segments,” she said.

Winning solutions under Bharat COOPATHON 2025 will be offered opportunities to pilot and scale their products across participating Urban Cooperative Banks. Selected participants may also gain access to seed funding support, subject to the criteria and protocols of IIMA Ventures. In addition, the programme will include interactive workshops, hackathon bootcamps and expert-led coaching sessions to help participants refine their solutions and address sector-specific challenges.

Applications for Bharat COOPATHON 2025 are open until December 31, 2025. Further details are available on the IIMA Ventures website.