Rize Recap: February'26
As we wrap up another eventful month, we’re excited to bring you the highlights from February at Rize. Here’s a quick look back at everything we accomplished together!
Hey Everyone! ✨
February may be the shortest month of the year, but founders made every day count. We met ambitious builders at demo days, saw new startups take shape, and helped more entrepreneurs begin their journeys.
Here’s a quick recap of what February looked like at Rize.
MILESTONE MOMENTS 👑
First things first, let’s celebrate some victories! We've witnessed some jaw-dropping milestones within our community, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Celebrating…
A big congratulations to these founders! Each step forward is a victory on the path to success. So, keep pushing and growing!
ARTICLES OF THE MONTH 📜
Missed our articles last month? Check the top ones that fuelled our Founders!
✍️ Why Canada Matters for Exporters in 2026? (Cross-border)
✍️ How Much MRR Do You Really Need to Raise Seed? (Fundraising)
✍️ B2B Logistics for Indian Exporters in the UK Market (Cross-border)
✍️ The Supply vs Brand Dilemma: Which Export Business Model Truly Scales? (Cross-border)
Discover more such insightful reads in the Vault! The collection is growing every day.
STORIES FROM RIZE-PRENEURS 📎
This month, we also spotlighted some inspiring founders from the ecosystem. Aaditya from Multibagg AI, who started his journey from a small town and went on to pitch on Shark Tank India, shared his story of building against the odds.
A Small-Town Journey That Reached Shark Tank India: The Story of Aaditya & Multibagg AI
Aaditya Aanand is a founder whose journey began far from startup hubs and pitch rooms, in a tier-3 town in Bihar. Shaped by responsibility from an early age, Aaditya took the long road- building deep experience in finance and technology before choosing to make something of his own.
We also featured Jay and Ojasvika, the founders of Shram- architects redefining how technology should work for everyday people and making digital systems more accessible for the common workforce.
Architects Who Learned to Build in Code
Jay and Ojasvika founded Shram to build technology that feels human. Frustrated by complex, engineer-first tools, they set out to create a product that reduces friction and works the way people naturally think.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH💡
New initiatives, exciting launches, and everything you need to stay ahead.
✨Rize Demo Day- D2C Edition✨
We hosted the Rize Demo Day: D2C Edition, bringing together founders, investors, and Razorpay leaders for an evening focused on the future of consumer brands in India.
6 founders from the Rize community took the stage to pitch their startups, while 15+ D2C brands were showcased to a room full of VCs and ecosystem leaders.
What stood out most wasn’t just the pitches- it was the passion behind them. From sharp brand stories to tough investor Q&A, the room was filled with the kind of energy that only comes from founders building something they truly believe in.
One thing was clear: India’s D2C wave is already here, and these founders are leading it.
✨ Next Big Thing by Razorpay: Cohort 2 ✨
February also marked a big milestone for the Rize community. 10 Rize founders were selected for Razorpay’s Next Big Thing cohort, taking their ideas and products to one of the most exciting startup platforms in the ecosystem.
✨Rize For YC: Summer 2026✨
A quick note before we wrap up: Rize for YC is now live!
If you’re applying to Y Combinator this batch, we’ve put together resources and support to help founders ace their YC applications and get ready for the journey ahead.
We also built the AI YC Reviewer, powered by insights from YC alums and 1000+ YC applications. The tool helps you pressure-test your application and apply it with more confidence.
MEET OUR NEWEST FOUNDERS: ONBOARDING EDITION 👥
Say hello to the latest group of founders joining the Rize Communities! They're full of bold ideas and big dreams, ready to take the startup world by storm.
At Razorpay Rize, we get it- building a startup is tough. That’s why we’re more than just a space for connecting with other founders. We’ve got programs, tools, and services designed to take some of the weight off the shoulders and make the journey just a little bit easier.
Curious about how we support startup founders?
Dive into Vault today & unlock a world of possibilities.