AI Startups
Reporting, analysis and features from AIM's AI Startups section.
Piper Serica Moves to Fix Deep Tech Startups’ Biggest Funding Gap
The Bharat Tech Fund supports companies at advanced technology readiness levels that have spent years developing their products but struggle to scale due to insufficient funding.
Smruthi Nadig ·
Practo's AI Journey Took 18 Years. Now, 60% of Its Code is AI-Generated
Practo has been experimenting with machine learning since 2014–15, beginning with search and doctor recommendation systems.
Merin Susan John ·
Inside the Fund Betting on India’s Toughest Tech Problems
Innovative VC firms like Mela Ventures are pioneering physical AI by integrating hardware, software, and materials science, despite limited deep tech funding.
Smruthi Nadig ·
Kae Capital's Tweet Hit a Nerve. Here's Why
Venture capitalists value founders' problem-solving skills and vision over age, supporting both young and experienced entrepreneurs in India.
Smruthi Nadig ·
Employees Want to Share Data for AI-Powered Healthcare, But They’re Nervous About It
To what extent are employees willing to share their personal health data, and who gets access to it?
Merin Susan John ·
'India Cannot Build Deeptech on Hype Alone'
While India looks to be a leader in AI and semiconductors, investor Aditya Vuchi suggests focusing on practical applications and real customer needs.
Smruthi Nadig ·
Work at a Startup? Your Job is Far More Prone to Layoffs Than You Think
The Industrial Relations Code has raised the headcount threshold for startups and MSMEs to unilaterally conduct layoffs from 100 to 300 employees.
Merin Susan John ·
As Foreign Capital Flees India, Startup Founders are Left With Only One Option
Foreign investors are increasingly frustrated by India’s regulatory complexity, weak exit options, and inflated valuations.
Smruthi Nadig ·
Building an AI Operating System for India’s Construction Sector
Founded in 2021 by IIT Roorkee alums, Powerplay started by digitising site-level workflows for mid-sized contractors and has since evolved into a proactive AI layer for construction operations.
Merin Susan John ·
Can AI Prevent Enterprise System Failures? A Bengaluru Startup Thinks So
Kusho AI is helping enterprises automate software testing and reliability using AI, moving from manual workflows to large-scale simulation.
Merin Susan John ·
Why This VC Firm Signed a $6 Million Cheque to Replace Chinese Silicon
The IAN Group's recent $6 million investment in BigEndian reflects hopes of reducing reliance on foreign electronic hardware.
Smruthi Nadig ·
With $680 Mn in Q1, Indian AI Startups Have Found Their Mojo. But for How Long?
Investors are increasingly backing AI startups that can demonstrate monetisation, customer stickiness, and scalable enterprise use cases.
Merin Susan John ·
This 5-Member Startup Helped Wipro Cut Hiring Effort by 97%
In 2022, Y Combinator-backed Equip raised $400,000 to build an AI-first hiring marketplace.
Merin Susan John ·
This Startup Wants to Make Voice Programmable for Developers
Murf is building a low-latency voice infrastructure layer, taking on global players with faster, cheaper, multilingual AI.
Merin Susan John ·
Why Volar Alta Walked Away From Easy Money to Build Deep Tech
Despite Covid-19, Niharika Kolte shifted Volar Alta into a niche for confined-space inspections, focusing on robotics and AI rather than quick profit.
Smruthi Nadig ·
This Startup Wants to be GitHub for Nutraceuticals
Bettrlabs is reimagining product development by moving the entire R&D lifecycle to the cloud, combining proprietary data with layered AI.
Merin Susan John ·
India’s eVTOL Ecosystem Gains Ground, But Deployment Still Lags
Regulation, infrastructure, and funding gaps continue to delay real-world deployment of air taxis in India.
Shalini Mondal ·
South India’s Deep Tech Boom May Hit a Funding Wall
Despite ambitious plans and funding initiatives, many founders struggle with limited access to capital, often relying on grants rather than equity investments.
Smruthi Nadig ·
A Robot From Kerala is Taking Over the State’s Oldest Poll Campaign Tradition
Chuvarbot is already being tested in election campaigns, ahead of its planned commercial launch within two months.
Merin Susan John ·
Invention Engine Rewrites the Accelerator Playbook for Deep Tech
With smaller cohorts and operator-led guidance, the accelerator pushes founders to engage deeply with market realities rather than relying on theoretical frameworks.
Smruthi Nadig ·