AI is no longer a buzzword — it’s the backbone of innovation.
At IIT Bombay’s 8th AI Meetup, industry leaders, investors, and innovators explored how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurship, funding, and the future of India’s tech ecosystem.
🔹 Innovation: From Ideas to Impact
Shaji Varghese, CEO of SINE-IIT Bombay, set the tone — true innovation isn’t just invention; it’s impact at scale.
Every successful innovation follows three steps:
Conceive → Develop → Deliver.
Yet, less than 5% of ideas in India make it to market-ready products. SINE aims to bridge this gap by nurturing startups that can build globally relevant solutions, especially in AI.
🔹 AI: The 6th Wave of Innovation
From connectivity to cognition, we’ve entered the sixth wave — AI-driven innovation.
It’s not just about computing power anymore, but cognitive power.
AI has the potential to democratize innovation — enabling anyone, anywhere, to contribute meaningfully to global challenges.
🔹 The Rise of Fractional CXOs
A key theme was the rise of Fractional CXOs — senior experts who lead strategic functions part-time.
Unlike consultants, they own outcomes, not just advice.
This is especially relevant for startups validating AI’s business value before committing to full-time leadership.
“Proof of value before full-time investment — that’s the power of a fractional CXO.”
🔹 Investors Speak: What AI Founders Need to Know
Investors at the meetup emphasized a few recurring themes:
- Focus on domain-specific AI, not generic solutions.
- Build credible teams before technology.
- Have clear KPIs, documentation, and governance.
- And remember, your network is your net worth.
🔹 The Road Ahead for Indian AI Startups
While India leads in talent, it still lags in global product creation.
The opportunity lies in AI-enabled vertical innovation — healthcare, fintech, and digital marketing with agentic AI.
As one speaker put it, “Technology isn’t the differentiator anymore. The domain is.”
🌍 Closing Thought
India’s next wave of AI entrepreneurship will not come from code alone — but from context, collaboration, and courage.
At Rohit Consultants, we’re committed to helping businesses conceive, develop, and deliver AI-led transformations that create real-world impact.