Prime Highlights
- Antler India launches a new cohort of nine early-stage startups across AI, climate tech, mobility and more.
- The startups emerged from stealth at Antler’s India Showcase in Bengaluru.
Key Facts
- Antler India is a venture capital firm that has backed over 115 startups through its $75 million India fund.
- The cohort includes an autonomous cargo seaplane developer and a long-duration battery maker.
Background
Venture capital firm Antler India has introduced nine early-stage startups working across artificial intelligence, climate technology, mobility, enterprise software, fintech, consumer technology and healthtech as part of its new cohort. The move highlights how investors are increasingly backing founders who tackle complex industrial and infrastructure problems, rather than focusing only on consumer internet businesses.
The nine companies emerged from stealth at Antler’s recent India Showcase in Bengaluru, where founders presented their products and early business traction ahead of wider fundraising discussions. The cohort includes an autonomous cargo seaplane developer, a long-duration battery maker, and an AI-powered enterprise software firm, along with wealth management and consumer hardware startups.
Rajiv Srivatsa, Partner at Antler India, said the cohort reflected the depth of founder ambition emerging from India, noting that these founders were building solutions with global relevance from the outset. He added that AI was no longer limited to one sector and was becoming a foundational layer across industries.
Several startups reflect this trend. Resollect uses AI to get back non-performing loans, Hexo Labs enables organisations to deploy open-weight AI models, Kenko AI automates administrative functions for SMBs, and Naptick leverages AI along with bedside hardware technology to enhance the sleep experience. Aspera Industries is developing an autonomous amphibious cargo aircraft, while MEINE Electric is building iron-air batteries for long-duration energy storage.
Nitin Sharma, Partner at Antler India, said the future belonged to founders combining deep domain expertise with AI-first thinking.
Antler India has backed more than 115 startups through its $75 million India fund, reflecting growing investor appetite for globally ambitious ventures.
