National Startup Day 2025: Insights from Founders on How AI is Shaping the Future of India’s Startup Ecosystem

National Startup Day, celebrated on January 16th in India, is a day to honour the growth and success of the country’s startup ecosystem. Since the launch of 'Startup India' in 2016, the number of DPIIT-recognised startups has grown from around 500 to over 1,59,157 as of January 2025. This makes India the third-largest startup hub in the world. The theme for this year, "Let’s shape the future together—one innovative idea at a time," reflects the spirit of collaboration driving the country’s entrepreneurs. 

In the spirit of this occasion, StartupTalky connected with various founders and industry experts to gather their views on one of the hottest topics these days—AI. AI has been a major conversation point in industries across the globe. We asked founders about its growing impact and how their businesses are adapting to it. Many shared how AI will reshape their sectors in the next few years. They also spoke about how their startups are embracing AI and driving innovation.

Let’s see what they have to say.

AI Revolutionising Healthcare Financing and Patient Care

Vikrant Agrawal, Co-Founder of Care.fi, highlighted how AI is set to revolutionize healthcare financing over the next three years by automating complex processes, enhancing decision-making, and improving resource efficiency. Key advancements will likely include predictive analytics for financial risk management, real-time revenue insights, and fully integrated systems for patient care.

Care.fi is already at the forefront of this transformation. Our AI-powered RCM platform, RevNow, exemplifies how automation can streamline insurance claims processes, reduce claim rejections, and ensure real-time cash flow reconciliation. By automating tedious tasks, hospitals can focus more on patient care and less on administrative burdens.

Sahil Lakshmanan, Chief Business Officer of CarePal Money, emphasised that AI is redefining healthcare financing by simplifying application processes, enhancing decision-making, and fostering financial inclusion. It enables one-click loan applications, real-time document verification through digital integration (e.g., Aadhaar and PAN via India Stack), and instant approvals powered by data-driven algorithms. Patients benefit from tailored solutions as AI adapts credit scoring to non-traditional factors like medical emergencies and irregular income streams.

CarePal Money leads this transformation by leveraging AI for custom risk profiling, smart recommendations, and 24/7 real-time assistance through virtual assistants. AI-driven multilingual interfaces and region-specific options ensure accessibility for underserved communities. By aligning financing options with patient needs and streamlining hospital interactions, we create a more inclusive and efficient healthcare ecosystem powered by AI.

Karan Arora, Co-Founder of One Health Assist, pointed out that AI will run two parallel tracks at One Health Assist—helping doctors understand patient history in detail and providing consumers with AI-driven care solutions that improve risk detection and focus on prevention. He said, "We aim to offer personalized care solutions that respond to users’ health changes, promoting lasting wellness. As AI develops, we plan to keep up by including new technologies that improve participation and results, making preventive healthcare easier to access and more accurate for all."

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AI Reshaping Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies

Padmakumar Nair, CEO and Founder of Ennoventure Inc., highlighted that AI is set to restructure anti-counterfeiting. In the next 3 years, we anticipate AI enhancing our encryption algorithms, making them even more robust and secure against sophisticated counterfeiters. Advanced machine learning techniques will play a crucial role in identifying subtle patterns and anomalies associated with counterfeit products. Ennoventure’s focus lies in leveraging AI to improve the accuracy and speed of authentication, enhance data analytics and predict potential counterfeiting threats proactively.

Transforming HRMS with AI

Sayeed Anjum, Co-Founder and CTO of greytHR, discussed how AI is transforming the HRMS industry by reshaping talent management, employee engagement, and operational efficiency. It enables hyper-personalized experiences by intuitively adapting to individual needs while automating routine tasks and leveraging analytics for data-driven decisions.

At greytHR, we’ve already integrated AI into our full-suite HRMS solution, which manages the entire employee lifecycle. Here are our most widely used AI-enabled features:

• An AI-powered chatbot that streamlines employee query resolution and is already being used by lakhs of users.
• AI-driven recommendations to enhance employee engagement and improve the feedback processes.

Empowering Automation with AI

Neerja Kumar, Co-Founder and COO of Enalytix, discussed how AI will drive deeper automation, predictive insights, and smarter decision-making. Advancements in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing will allow businesses to unlock new efficiencies, improve personalization, and enhance operational agility.

"At Enalytix, we are at the forefront of this evolution, developing new AI architectures and models that leverage both Edge AI and cloud technologies. This approach enables real-time insights without relying on constant internet connectivity—ideal for the Indian market and other similar regions. Our hardware-agnostic solutions and ability to install remotely provide scalability, making it easier for businesses to harness the power of AI across diverse environments," said Kumar.

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AI Shaping the Future of Enterprise

Animesh Samuel, Co-Founder and CEO of E42.ai, spoke about how AI is set to redefine enterprise automation, with agentic AI following a similar path to the mainstream success of generative AI. While generative AI has transformed industries by solving problems creatively and producing new content, agentic AI is poised to take automation to the next level by enabling systems to act autonomously and make informed decisions. This evolution will empower businesses to shift from reactive to proactive automation creating smarter, self-directed workflows.

At the heart of this transformation is E42, enabling enterprises to seamlessly adopt scalable, no-code AI co-workers that integrate intelligence into workflows, paving the way for operational excellence.

Revolutionising Music Licensing

Gaurav Dagaonkar, Co-founder & CEO of Hoopr shared that AI is shaking things up in music licensing! Soon, we'll see AI streamlining things like contracts and royalty tracking, making the whole process smoother. Imagine AI suggesting the perfect song for your project – that's happening too!

"At Hoopr, we're embracing this change. We're building AI tools to help our users find the right music faster, and we're streamlining our own licensing process with AI. We're also using AI to understand our users better and improve their experience. Basically, we're using AI to make music licensing easier and more efficient for everyone involved," said Dagaonkar.

AI Transforming the Lending Sector

Eklavya Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Recur Club, discussed how AI is transforming the lending sector. He highlighted, " Lending is one of the oldest industries, and I believe AI will accelerate it at an unprecedented pace. India remains a highly underserved market for credit, and AI will help build the technology infrastructure needed to cater to the unique credit requirements of diverse business models.

We’ve worked hard to rethink our internal processes using AI, and we’ve already seen significant efficiency improvements in data collection and underwriting. AI equips us with the intelligence to stay ahead of evolving business models, while for our customers, it unlocks faster access to more tailored credit solutions."

Advancing Electric Vehicles with AI

Nemin Vora, Founder and CEO of Odysse Electric Vehicles, discussed the potential of AI to drive advancements in EV performance, predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing, and customer support.

In the next three years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a transformative impact on the electric vehicle (EV) industry, driving significant advancements across multiple areas. For end customers, AI will enhance Vehicle Performance and Efficiency along with Predictive Maintenance and Diagnostics, offering a more comfortable, efficient, and safer driving experience while enabling optimal use of their EVs.

From a manufacturing perspective, AI will play a pivotal role in Smart Manufacturing and Supply Chain Optimization, allowing for more efficient production processes, improved quality & cost control, and faster delivery. Additionally, AI-driven After-Sales Customer Support features will streamline service processes, improving customer satisfaction and fostering long-term brand loyalty.

Together, these innovations will make electric vehicles a more attractive and seamless choice for consumers, positioning AI as a key driver in the widespread adoption of EVs in the coming years.

"We view AI as a key enabler in our strategy to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, and we are focused on leveraging this technology to deliver innovative products, improve sustainability, and enhance the overall customer experience," said Vora.

AI Enhancing Language Learning

Arpit Mittal, Founder and CEO of SpeakX, shared, "AI is already reshaping education, but we are just scratching the surface. In the next three years, I see it becoming a personal coach for every learner—offering immersive, real-time feedback that feels almost human. At SpeakX, we are driving this shift by combining AI with human insight to create tools that are not only smarter but also more empathetic. Whether it’s practicing for a job interview or perfecting pronunciation, we’re committed to making language learning more accessible, faster, and even enjoyable."

AI's Role in Edu-Fintech Industry

Rohit Gajbhiye, Founder and MD of LEO1 highlighted that AI will revolutionize the edu-fintech industry in the next three years by automating processes, enabling personalized financial solutions, and enhancing institutional efficiency. It will empower educational institutions with predictive analytics for cash flow and fee management while offering parents tailored payment plans and spending insights.

"At LEO1, we are integrating AI to provide real-time tracking, personalized rewards, and advanced financial literacy tools, ensuring smarter financial management for families and institutions. By driving this innovation, we are shaping a more efficient, transparent, and accessible education ecosystem." said Gajbhiye.

Apparel Sourcing with AI

Abhishek Dua, CEO and Co-Founder of Showroom B2B talked about how AI is set to disrupt the apparel sourcing industry over the next three years, reshaping it with advanced automation, predictive analytics, and real-time decision-making capabilities. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and big data, AI will revolutionize demand forecasting, analyzing historical trends, sales patterns, and external market factors to optimize inventory and production cycles, reducing inefficiencies like overproduction and stockouts.

Dua shared, "At Showroom B2B, we are embedding these advanced technologies into our ecosystem. Our advanced supply chain management platform utilizes AI-driven forecasting and intelligent automation to streamline operations, while our data-driven partner allocation strategy ensures optimal supplier matching based on capacity, compliance, and historical performance. Moreover, our AI-powered predictive analytics will enhance supply chain visibility, providing real-time insights into production, compliance, and logistics, enabling proactive interventions and optimized resource allocation."

The Future of Cloud Security and AI

Saurabh Bhardwaj, CEO of VergeCloud, discussed how AI will transform CDN, cybersecurity, and edge computing, enabling real-time decision-making, predictive threat detection, and hyper-personalized experiences. This evolution creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to address challenges like latency and cyber-resilience, fostering scalable, AI-driven solutions. VergeCloud remains a catalyst, empowering startups to shape India’s digital future and drive global innovation.

Personalising Retail with AI

Varun Tangri, Founder and CEO of QueueBuster, highlighted that in the next three years, artificial intelligence will disrupt sectors by increasing customer convenience and personalisation. AI-powered CRM connected with Android POS systems will transform retail customer interactions by allowing for real-time, personalised suggestions based on transaction history and preferences. This system enhances product discovery, boosts conversion rates, and lowers customer turnover through quick interventions and customised incentives.

Furthermore, AI integration decreases operational costs by automating procedures, optimising stock management, and anticipating customer flow to optimise manpower. Businesses that use AI gain a competitive advantage, boost customer loyalty, and increase ROI through data-driven initiatives and seamless customer experiences.

AI Empowering Blue-Collar Industries

Nilesh Dungarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of WorkIndia, shared how AI will empower blue-collar industries by automating tasks in manufacturing, logistics, and construction, while also creating new opportunities through upskilling.

Dungarwal said, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) will significantly influence blue-collar industries by automating tasks in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and construction. While this may lead to job displacement in some areas, it also presents opportunities for increased productivity and the creation of new roles. Upskilling and reskilling the workforce will be crucial to prepare workers for AI-driven changes.

Our startup is actively propagating skill development programs that empower workers to adapt to technological advancements. By equipping individuals with skills that complement AI, we aim for a future where innovation and meaningful livelihoods coexist seamlessly."

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