What is the IGNITE Franco-Indian Corridor?

🗓️ Bangalore/Delhi session: February 19-21, 2026* - 2 days of workshops + India AI Mission 
🗓️ Paris session: June 15-20, 2026* - 2 days of workshops + Vivatech 

* tentative dates and finalised agenda to be shared on confirmation. Deadline for application: December 1st, 2025. 

SonderConnect and the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Franco-Indienne (CCIFI) are launching the IGNITE Franco-Indian Corridor, a first-of-its-kind program supporting 10 French and 10 Indian women entrepreneurs through immersive sessions in Paris and Delhi/Bangalore with corporations, educators, mentors, VCs, AI/Gen-AI experts. This first cohort is for women founders (male co-founders are welcome) who are building and leveraging AI/GenAI in their startups. They will need to have proven product market-fit with customers already using their solution. 

The goal: To support cross-border growth, partnerships, and access to both ecosystems.
This form will help us identify interested founders, mentors, and partners. Complete this form to be kept updated on the program! Let’s build the Franco-Indian corridor for women-led innovation together!

What is SonderConnect?
SonderConnect is a platform founded in 2016 to support women entrepreneurs in building successful ventures. Rooted in the belief that connection empowers and that the future is female, SonderConnect offers mentorship, networking, and strategic guidance—entirely pro bono and without taking equity. It exists to amplify women-led businesses and foster gender equality, economic growth, and global impact.  

SonderConnect has supported 167 women founders from 8 nationalities across South Asia and MENA, selected from over 560 applicants. The ventures in our ecosystem have created 5,000+ jobs and generated over $150 million in revenue. To date, 33 firms have secured $100M+ funding.

What is the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Franco-Indienne (CCIFI)?
The Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Franco-Indienne (CCIFI), established in 1983, is the official bilateral chamber in France, dedicated to strengthening economic, cultural, and industrial ties between France and India. The CCIFI connects businesses, entrepreneurs, and institutions through B2B networking, sector intelligence, and bilateral events on strategic areas of the France–India partnership. The Chamber also invests in the future through initiatives such as the French-Indian Young Talents Program, nurturing the next generation of leaders in the Franco-Indian partnership.

What you can expect by participating in this programme?
Women founders and ecosystem enablers have the unique opportunity to build a powerful cross-border network, gain deeper insights into the French and Indian ecosystems, and access world-class corporations, educators, mentors, VCs, AI/Gen-AI experts, and immersive learning opportunities.

What is included in the program:

This program will sponsor the following: 

1. Workshops, access to events, shared meals (breakfast/lunch/coffee breaks), organized evening engagements & official events

2. For founders only: 5 hotel nights on a twin-sharing basis for those who require it (additional nights will be at the expense of the founder)

What is not taken care of: 

1. Air fare, additional nights, dinner and additional travel and personal expenses, visa costs