Artificial intelligence is fast becoming more than a buzzword for India’s startups, emerging as both a competitive moat and a survival tool. From streamlining supply chains and reshaping education to powering financial sector and more, AI is redefining how businesses operate.
While hype remains, its irreversible adoption demands clarity, strategy, and measurable outcomes to separate genuine innovation from branding noise.
Opening the conversation, Sourabh Deorah, Co-founder and CEO, AdvantageClub.ai stressed that AI is not new but is undergoing a transformation. While earlier use cases were limited to predictive algorithms and basic rule engines, the rise of generative AI and agentic AI has led to wider adoption. He noted that the ecosystem is still prone to hype, with many companies branding themselves as “AI-first” without genuine capabilities.
Beyond ChatGPT
Rayan Malhotra, whose startup NeoFinity leverages AI for financial offerigns, underlined that AI is not a passing trend but ‘irreversible’. He reminded the audience that tools like ChatGPT have quickly become indispensable and India must accelerate AI literacy and integration across industries.
From an enterprise solutions perspective, Gaurav Baid, co-founder, Avaatar.ai explained how AI is already reshaping workflows in healthcare, agriculture and education. He emphasised that AI could empower individuals, make industries more efficient and bridge critical service gaps, such as the shortage of teachers in India’s vast education sector.
Adding a more operations-heavy viewpoint, Anish Popli, co-founder and CEO, ProcMart highlighted that AI may not always be the “core” but can act as a strategic differentiator. In complex procurement and supply chain environments, AI optimises product selection, supplier management and demand forecasting. However, he cautioned against overplaying AI’s role in businesses where operations drive the majority of value.
Krishna Mohan Meenavalli, Founder and Executive Director, Strign Metaverse, introduced a provocative perspective: the convergence of AI and blockchain. He argued that AI’s future lies in synergy with Web3, enabling agentic economies where AI systems transact securely and autonomously on-chain. According to him, startups must prepare for this “AI plus blockchain” future, which could redefine trust, truth and transparency in business ecosystems.
Investors' Thesis On AI Startups
With investors pouring capital into AI ventures, the panel addressed whether this enthusiasm is sustainable. Rahul Aggarwalla, Founder and Managing Partner, SenseAI pointed out that while hype drives adoption, funding will favour startups solving tangible business problems rather than those simply adding “AI” to their branding.
On the sensitive issue of layoffs, panellists noted that while AI is often cited as a reason, the real driver is the broader shift toward profitability over growth. Startups adopting AI may not necessarily lay off workers but will scale hiring more cautiously and prioritise reskilling.
The panel collectively agreed that AI has moved beyond being a buzzword. For startups, it is both a competitive enabler and a survival tool. Whether as a foundational layer in AI-first companies, a strategic differentiator in operations-heavy industries or in synergy with blockchain, AI is set to transform Indian businesses at scale.
As panellist put it, this is not just another wave of technological change, AI represents an “era shift” that startups and investors alike must embrace with clarity, strategy and measurable outcomes.
This panel discussion was taking place at BW Disrupt Founders forum 2025 held in Delhi on Oct 1. |
