INDIAN DEEPTECH STARTUPS IN DEEP DEMAND GLOBALLY

Many deeptech startups have been acquired by large global companies in the recent past. Access to the Indian talent pool is one of the top reasons behind the heightened interest

- S SHANTHI

In the past couple of years, we have seen many Indian deeptech startups getting acquired by larger global companies. For instance, in the last two years, KPIT Technologies acquired Bengaluru-based PathPartner Technology, Accenture bought BRIDGEi2i, which is an AI and analytics firm based in Bengaluru, General Atlantic got a 17% stake in AI startup Artivatic.ai, Eagle Eye Networks, which is a US-based cloud video surveillance firm acquired AI startup Uncanny Vision and Arizona-based Nextiva acquired Simplify360. These are just a few of the acquisitions that have happened in the recent past.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have become a common affair today across sectors. Larger counterparts are making smart acquisition moves on their smaller peers from a product expansion, talent acquisition or even a new market entry point of view. However, global companies seem to be particularly interested in India's deeptech startups.

DEEPTECH'S INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

"The availability of capital, and a move toward innovation-driven strategies adopted by the startups is a key reason," said Ankur Bansal, co-founder and director, BlackSoil.

The key areas where Indian deep tech startups are venturing are AI/ML, language processing, biotech, robotics, blockchain and quantum computing. "We can see the list of areas expanding based on global demand. The Indian VC ecosystem is also playing an important role in encouraging such deep tech startups but they struggle to get an exit purely in the Indian context," said Amarjeet Singh Makhija, partner and leader - Startups, PwC India.