‘The AI opportunity in India is deeply cross-cutting’

VC firm Elevation Capital believes the AI opportunity in India will be far more broadbased, given the substantial headroom across categories. In an interaction with § Shanthi, Vaas Bhaskar, partner, Elevation Capital, says that the AI opportunity is influencing how products are built, distributed, and consumed. Excerpts:

- VAAS BHASKAR, PARTNER, ELEVATION CAPITAL

What are the startup segments you are bullish on at present?

Significant value creation over the next decade will come from three core sectors that remain central to our investment focus — consumer tech & brands, fintech & financial services, and enterprise. Across all three, AI is emerging as a powerful force multiplier, expanding existing markets and unlocking entirely new ones. While globally, much of the venture momentum over the past year has been concentrated around AI, we believe the opportunity in India will be far more broadbased given the substantial headroom across categories. Thus, the AI opportunity in India is deeply crosscutting — influencing how products are built, distributed, and consumed.

Earlier this year, you announced Elevation Holdings, a dedicated vehicle to partner with companies that are 1-3 years away from IPO. Tell us more. Through Elevation Holdings, we aim to make patient, long-term investments in businesses that are already category leaders and support them well beyond the public markets. This two-pronged strategy allows us to back founders through the entire lifecycle of company building — from the very first cheque to helping scale enduring, iconic public companies.