AIM–CFA Institute Partnership to Boost Financial Literacy for India’s Innovators

Franklin stressed that this collaboration seeks to embed global best practices into India’s innovation circuits—from classrooms to incubators.

The Government of India’s push to strengthen the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem received a major boost as the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, formalised a strategic partnership with CFA Institute India Pvt. Ltd. through a Joint Statement of Intent (SOI) signed in New Delhi.

This collaboration marks a pivotal advancement in embedding financial literacy, ethical governance, and global professional standards into India’s rapidly expanding innovation landscape—spanning school-level innovators to early-stage startups operating across the country.

Senior leadership from AIM and CFA Institute—including Mission Director Deepak Bagla, CFA Institute President & CEO Margaret Franklin, and Senior Country Head Arati Porwal—participated in extensive discussions prior to the signing.

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A Landmark Step Toward Strengthening India’s Innovation Foundation

Speaking at the event, AIM Mission Director Deepak Bagla described the partnership as a cornerstone in India’s journey toward building a responsible, future-ready, and globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

He emphasised that AIM’s network—comprising Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs), and various vernacular innovation initiatives—provides a grassroots-to-global pipeline for nurturing innovators.

“CFA Institute’s global expertise in financial ethics, governance, and professional standards will significantly strengthen our efforts to build a financially aware and responsible innovation ecosystem,” Bagla said.

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CFA Institute: Helping Shape Ethical and Financially Strong Innovators

Highlighting the growing role of sound financial capabilities in India’s booming entrepreneurship landscape, Margaret Franklin, President & CEO of CFA Institute, underlined the need for ethical decision-making and governance as innovation scales.

“CFA Institute is honoured to partner with AIM to advance financial education across India. As India’s entrepreneurs scale new heights, the need for financial competence and governance grows stronger,” she said.

Franklin stressed that this collaboration seeks to embed global best practices into India’s innovation circuits—from classrooms to incubators.

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Strengthening the Financial Bedrock of Startups

Arati Porwal, Senior Country Head (India), CFA Institute, said the partnership fills a critical gap in India’s startup ecosystem: the need for accessible, high-quality financial learning.

“Finance and governance are foundational building blocks for sustainable innovation. Our goal is to equip young entrepreneurs with clear, global-aligned understanding of financial markets, governance models, and ethical principles,” Porwal noted.

She emphasised that the partnership will support both early-stage ventures and student-led innovation at ATLs and AICs, ensuring that financial intelligence grows alongside technological creativity.

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What the Collaboration Will Deliver

The AIM–CFA partnership introduces a comprehensive suite of capacity-building programmes tailored to India’s innovation pipeline.

For School Students (ATLs)

• Structured learning modules on financial literacy

• Understanding of ethical principles and decision-making

• Activity-based learning aligned with real-world scenarios

For Incubators (AICs and ACICs)

• Expert-led masterclasses on financial planning

• Governance strengthening modules

• Access to global best practices and knowledge reports

• Support in building financial sustainability frameworks

For Startups

• Training in fundraising, valuation, and compliance

• Guidance on corporate governance

• Exposure to CFA Institute’s international knowledge network

• Advisory and mentorship from CFA charterholders

Additionally, CFA charterholders may contribute to incubator review boards, serve as experts in screening and evaluation processes, and even be considered for advisory or governance roles within incubators.

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Nationwide Masterclasses, Outreach and Knowledge Sessions

The partnership will roll out nationwide outreach initiatives including:

• Startup accelerator workshops

• Educator and mentor training

• Governance and ethics masterclasses

• Finance essentials seminars for youth innovators

• Entrepreneurial leadership and compliance workshops

These programmes will build consistent knowledge bridges between global finance standards and India’s entrepreneurial ambitions.

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AIM’s Broader Vision: Innovation Rooted in Integrity

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of AIM’s commitment to nurturing an innovation culture built on:

• sound financial governance

• ethical conduct

• future-ready leadership

• inclusive grassroots innovation

By integrating CFA Institute’s global standards into India’s innovation ecosystem, AIM aims to ensure that India’s next generation of creators, founders, and innovators are prepared to lead not only with ingenuity but also with financial wisdom and ethical responsibility.

This partnership is expected to act as a catalyst for strengthening the long-term resilience of India’s innovation economy, ensuring that entrepreneurship grows sustainably, transparently, and with global credibility.