Global VC majors circle Indian AI startups eyeing early bets
The global venture capital world has clearly zoomed in on Indian AI startups, and it’s not just casual interest—funds like Insight Venture Partners, Iconiq Capital, and Sierra Ventures are making significant early bets. This trend underscores a strategic recognition of India's emerging AI ecosystem as a fertile ground for innovation and disruption, especially as startups build AI-first models to challenge traditional industries like IT services. The international VC influx is setting the stage for India to become a major player in global AI development, propelled by early-stage funding and growing momentum.
According to recent reports, Indian AI startups are increasingly attracting global investors with notable funding rounds — for example, Attentive AI raised $30 million in a Series B led by Insight Venture Partners, valuing it at $135 million. Prominent US-based VCs and other global funds are engaging early in seed to growth rounds, driven by confidence in India’s ability to scale AI-powered service models quickly. This investment surge happens amid a broader global pivot where AI startups secured over 50% of total venture funding in 2025, highlighting India’s role in this profound tech shift. The focused capital is helping startups innovate on lean, tech-first platforms to reshape the IT services landscape and beyond.
