India launches specialized accelerators for AI startups

India is seeing a rise in Y Combinator-style startup accelerators to support artificial intelligence (AI) companies. These programs are designed to help founders connect, learn, and develop their ideas. The growing opportunity in AI has highlighted the need for an ecosystem that can keep up with fast-evolving technology. In the past 18 months, several AI-focused initiatives have launched in India. This includes Paras Chopra's Lossfunk, a residency for AI builders, and the Upekkha platform, which has shifted its focus to AI funding. The Together Fund, backed by Girish Mathrubootham, has also introduced AI Studio to assist startups in navigating the AI landscape. Experts suggest that traditional accelerators, which typically help in general business growth and fundraising, may not be enough for AI startups. Manav Garg from the Together Fund noted that these companies need a tailored approach. He emphasized the importance of finding real business use cases and creating effective models. Rapid prototyping is also crucial to keep up with the pace of technological change. Chopra highlighted that India's contributions to AI research and technology are significant. Many leading technologies, like Pytorch and Tensorflow, have connections to Indian education. However, he pointed out that despite strong talent, India lags behind the US and China in AI advancements due to a lack of institutions that offer peer support and fair compensation for talent.