February 24, 2025
5:24

India’s DeepTech & AI Surge – Our Investment Lens

The future of Indian DeepTech is being written today — and we’re excited to be part of it.

At Endiya Partners, we’ve long believed that India’s DeepTech and AI ecosystem holds transformative potential. In a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, Sateesh Andra shared his perspective on where the startup funding landscape stands and what the future looks like for DeepTech, AI, Semiconductors, Biotech, and Robotics in India.

In this conversation, Sateesh speaks about

  • India's venture funding slowdown and valuation correction.

  • DeepTech as a long-term opportunity; role of patient capital; Government tailwinds: DeepTech Fund of Fund,  Semiconductor Mission, India AI Mission.

  • Funding outlook: 30–50% Y-o-Y growth in DeepTech and AI; 100%+ in AI possible.

  • Why thematic, domain-led investing works better than sector-agnostic strategies; Investment thesis at Endiya Partners.

Why We’re Bullish on DeepTech & AI

Over the past year, the funding environment has been subdued—largely due to a correction from inflated valuations during the zero-interest-rate period. However, this reset is paving the way for more grounded, growth-driven investments. As Sateesh noted, venture capital is a long-term game. “You invest now, and value monetization happens 8–10 years later,” he explained.

Despite recent slowdowns, funding in DeepTech and AI startups is expected to rise significantly—by 30–50% year-on-year. AI, in particular, is poised to grow even faster, driven by rapid innovation cycles and increased capital inflows.

Tailwinds from Government Programs

India is no longer on the sidelines of the global DeepTech race—it’s entering with intent. Several major government initiatives are playing a pivotal role in catalyzing this movement:

  • DeepTech Fund of Funds (₹10,000+ Cr)

  • India Semiconductor Mission

  • India AI Mission

These programs are doing more than providing capital. They're triggering a multiplier effect, drawing in 4x to 10x additional funding from private sources.

To illustrate the impact: a ₹1,000 crore investment from the Fund of Funds can potentially unlock ₹10,000 crore in startup capital—compounding value creation across the ecosystem.

Our Thematic, Domain-Led Approach

At Endiya, we’ve never followed a sector-agnostic model. Instead, we back founders solving domain-specific, complex problems in large markets. Whether it’s a biotech company developing cell therapies or an AI-first company tackling automation, we believe focus is a superpower in venture investing.

This approach has allowed our portfolio companies to:

  • Raise 20x capital compared to our initial investments

  • Graduate faster from early rounds to Series A/B

  • Outperform sector benchmarks with 2x better graduation rates

India’s edge lies not just in its talent or market size, but in its ability to build IP-led, scalable solutions tailored for complex environments. As the DeepTech and AI wave picks up momentum, we’re proud to stand beside visionary founders shaping what comes next.

The future is DeepTech. The time is now.