The AI & DeepTech Pavilion at Startup Mahakumbh kicked off today, bringing together over 100 startups, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and deep technology. The first day of the event served as a platform for significant announcements, including MeitY’s AI-driven ‘MeitY Mitra’ chatbot launch, unveiling of a comprehensive Nasscom-Zinnov Tech Startup Report analyzing India’s AI and deep-tech landscape and power-packed panels featuring industry KOLs and experts.
Key Announcements from the AI & DeepTech Pavilion
MeitY Launches ‘Samarth’ Portal 2.0 with AI-Powered ‘MeitY Mitra’
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Samarth Portal 2.0, featuring Liapplus AI, a multilingual voice AI chatbot and chat support system. Named ‘MeitY Mitra’, this marks the first-ever voice AI chatbot on a Government of India website, enhancing accessibility and strengthening digital governance.
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, emphasized the significance of AI-led innovation in his keynote speech, stating, “Today, innovation thrives in disruption, and startups have been at the forefront of pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence. We are witnessing a new era where national institutions, incubators, and accelerators are coming together to create a robust AI ecosystem.”
Shri S Krishnan also highlighted MeitY’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the AI sector, including international collaborations with Malaysia and Station F in Paris, aimed at expanding opportunities for Indian AI startups on the global stage.
Nasscom-Zinnov Tech Startup Report Unveiled
Nasscom, in collaboration with Zinnov, today unveiled its latest report titled ‘Road to Recovery – Indian Tech Start-up Landscape 2024’. Released on the sidelines of the Startup Mahakumbh, the report offers an in-depth analysis of the current state of India’s tech start-up ecosystem, highlighting key trends and data points that reflect a steady path to recovery and renewed growth momentum.
The Indian tech startup ecosystem demonstrated resilient progress in CY2024, reflecting a year of measured recovery characterized by selective investor participation, steady funding momentum, and sustained entrepreneurial activity.
Key highlights from the report:
- Indian tech startups demonstrated resilient progress in CY2024, with a 23% surge in funding.
- The number of deals saw a 27% uptick compared to CY2023.
- A 2.1X increase in newly founded tech startups, bringing the total number to 32,000-35,000.
- Total tech funding rose to $7.4 billion in CY2024.
- 67% of tech startup funding focused on ‘matured’ sectors like Retail Tech and Health Tech.
- DeepTech investments- DeepTech funding grew by 78% to $1.6 billion, driven primarily by AI-led startups.
- Unicorns and IPOs:
- India added 6 new unicorns in 2024, taking the combined valuation to $220 Bn+.
- Tech IPOs: Tech IPOs witnessed a three-fold increase in 2024, making it a record year.
- Founder Sentiment:
- 88% of founders reported revenue growth, exceeding projected outlook.
- 74% of startups remain optimistic about funding outlook for 2025.
- 98% of respondents anticipate promising revenue increase in 2025.
The findings emphasize India’s position as a fast-emerging leader in AI and deep-tech, backed by strong digital public infrastructure and increasing government initiatives.
On the launch of the Nasscom report titled, “Road to Recovery: Indian tech start-up landscape 2024” Achyuta Ghosh, Senior Director and Head- Insights, Nasscom, shared,”From a funding perspective also there was a rebound. Overall funding increased from $6 Billion last year to $ 7.4 Billion. The number of deals for early stage also increased by 70% over 2023.”
Summit Spotlight
Summit Spotlight, a unique showcase and presentation opportunity spotlighted 4 start-ups, key start-ups and busine of startups that showcases their business model and the unique problems the startup is solving. During this session- seclore, nyesa.ai, Ahammune Bioscience Ltd. and sigtuple presented to the audience.
Seclore is a company focused on data-centric security. They aim to protect sensitive data by giving organizations control over their information. Neysa, an AI Acceleration Cloud System provider, democratizes AI adoption with purpose-built platforms and services for AI-native applications. Neysa empowers businesses to discover, deploy, and scale Gen AI and AI use cases securely and cost-effectively. Ahammune Biosciences is an innovation-led drug discovery company started in 2016 which focuses on developing new treatment options for immune mediated diseases of the skin. SigTuple combines the power of microfluidics, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to create smart diagnostic solutions which make quality healthcare delivery affordable and accessible.
Panel Discussion: Industry Leaders on the Future of AI & DeepTech
A series of invigorating panel discussions also took place. These panels aided in highlighting the brimming and the buzzing Indian AI, Deep-Tech and Cybersecurity ecosystem.
AI, DeepTech, and Cybersecurity – The Convergence
A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “AI, DeepTech, and Cybersecurity: The Convergence” took place at the pavilion, exploring the intersection of cutting-edge technology and security in the digital era. The session was moderated by Ajeya Motaganahalli, VP of Engineering, Pure Storage, and featured insights from leading industry experts:
Moderator: Ajeya Motaganahalli, VP of Engineering & Managing Director, Pure Storage India
Speaker:
- Ganesh Sahai, Chief Technology Officer, Nagarro
- Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President, Nasscom
The discussion highlighted the evolving role of AI and deep-tech in cybersecurity, the challenges enterprises face in securing next-generation digital infrastructure, and the collaborative efforts required to build a resilient and future-ready ecosystem.
Funding DeepTech – The Investors’ Perspective
The AI & DeepTech Pavilion also hosted a compelling discussion on the funding landscape for deep-tech startups, bringing together leading investors to share their perspectives on scaling innovation in India.
Moderator: Raghu Dharmaraju, CEO, Artpark
Speakers:
- Arjun Rao, General Partner, Speciale Invest
- Narendra Bhandari, General Partner, Seafund
The panel explored key investment trends, challenges in funding deep-tech ventures, and the role of venture capital in shaping India’s AI and deep-tech ecosystem. Investors provided insights into what they look for in deep-tech startups, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the roadmap for India to become a global deep-tech hub.
Panel: Beyond the Billion – India’s Leadership in the Global Bioeconomy
Moderator: Shruti Singh, Founder & CEO, Terra Bioware
Speakers:
- Dr. Ramesh Byrapanen, Managing Partner, Endiya Partners
- Abhilash Sethi,Investment Director, Omnivore
- Dr. Arvind Chari, Principal, Eight Roads ventures
This panel explored India’s expanding role in the global bioeconomy, highlighting investment opportunities, emerging innovations, and strategies to scale bio-based industries beyond the billion-dollar mark.
About Startup Mahakumbh
Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind event bringing together the entire startup ecosystem of India including startups, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. The event is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation; and supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC and DPIIT Startup India.
The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh is set to make a grand return in 2025, building on the tremendous success of its inaugural edition. The flagship startup event was an extraordinary success, attracting over 48,581 business visitors engaging with 1306 exhibitors including finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from 26+ states and 14+ countries. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators and 200+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.
For more information, visit www.startupmahakumbh.org.