India's burgeoning tech scene has increasingly focused on artificial intelligence (AI), positioning itself as a hub for innovation. While the funding landscape remains constrained compared to global counterparts, Indian AI startups have managed to attract significant investment, showcasing their potential to address both local and international challenges. This article delves into the most prominent AI startups in India, highlighting their unique contributions and funding achievements.
Image: Sarvam AI Homepage
Sarvam AI, co-founded by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, is another notable player in the Large Language Model (LLM) space. The startup aims to provide full-stack generative AI solutions, including a platform for enterprises to develop AI applications. Partnering with Microsoft, Sarvam AI is working to integrate its Indic voice LLM into the Azure cloud platform, emphasising the startup's commitment to enhancing voice-based AI tools.
Founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, Krutrim has emerged as India's first AI unicorn with a valuation of USD1 billion on just $50 million raised. Specialising in LLMs that cater to both Indian languages and English, Krutrim's AI chatbot made headlines for its swift improvement following a controversial beta launch. The startup's focus on local languages addresses a critical need in a linguistically diverse country like India, potentially paving the way for broader AI adoption.
Image: Neysa Homepage
Neysa Networks, founded by Sharad Sanghi and Anindya Das, focuses on AI and machine learning infrastructure and services. The startup's Nebula platform enables businesses to scale AI projects using on-demand GPU infrastructure, while its Palvera platform offers advanced observability solutions. With $20 million in funding, Neysa Networks is well-positioned to support the growing demand for AI solutions in India's burgeoning tech ecosystem.
Image: Mad Street Den Homepage
Mad Street Den, led by Ashwini Asokan and Anand Chandrasekaran, focuses on AI-driven computer vision solutions for enterprises. Initially targeting the retail sector, the startup has expanded its offerings to include finance, insurance, healthcare, and logistics. With $67 million in funding, Mad Street Den aims to democratize access to AI technologies, making it easier for businesses across various sectors to integrate AI solutions into their operations.
Image: Wsya Homepage
Wysa, co-founded by Jo Aggarwal and Ramakant Vempati, is a mental health tech startup that leverages AI to offer an "emotionally intelligent" chatbot for mental health support. With over 6.5 million users worldwide, Wysa has raised $25 million to further develop its AI capabilities. The startup's global reach, including operations in Boston and London, highlights its potential to address the growing mental health crisis through innovative technology.
Image: Scribble Data Homepage
Scribble Data, co-founded by Venkata Pingali and Indrayudh Ghoshal, provides domain-specific AI assistants for large insurers in North America and Europe. With $2.3 million in funding, the startup focuses on enhancing business processes through AI, showcasing the global appeal of Indian AI innovations.
Image: Upliane AI Homepage
Founded by Mahek Mody and Mohit Sharma, Upliance AI aims to revolutionize home cooking by integrating AI into home appliances. With $5.5 million in funding, the startup is preparing for a larger funding round to expand its market presence, highlighting the growing interest in consumer-focused AI applications.
Image: Expertia AI Homepage
Expertia AI, led by Kanishk Shukla and Akshay Gugnani, offers AI-driven recruitment solutions that significantly reduce hiring times. With $1.3 million in funding, the startup is set to expand its offerings, reflecting the increasing reliance on AI in streamlining human resources functions.
Image: Socket Labs Homepage
Founded by Abhishek Upperwal, Soket Labs is an AI research firm with a focus on developing multilingual LLMs. The startup, based in Bengaluru and Gurugram, has raised $140,000 and is working on expanding its capabilities with plans to raise an additional $7 million in the near future.
Image: OnFinance Homepage
OnFinance, founded by Anuj Srivastava and Priyesh Srivastava, helps banks and wealth management companies with AI-driven solutions, including equity research, compliance, and wealth advisory. With $1.1 million in funding, the Bengaluru-based startup aims to streamline financial services through innovative AI applications.
Image: Helium Homepage
Helium, co-founded by Shray Arora and Sidharth Sahni, supports e-commerce brands with AI-enhanced direct-to-consumer web stores and reactive headless storefronts. Based in Delhi, the startup has raised $550,000 and is backed by Merak Ventures, positioning itself as a key player in the e-commerce AI space.