AIM Launches ‘AI-Preneurs of India’, Spotlighting 45 Startups Powering India’s Responsible AI Ecosystem

At a time when artificial intelligence is dominating global headlines — shaping geopolitics, redefining industries, and sparking debates around ethics and regulation — India is quietly building something far more grounded: an AI ecosystem rooted in purpose.

At the heart of this movement is the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the government’s flagship innovation initiative under NITI Aayog. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, AIM unveiled its latest flagship publication — ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ — a coffee table book that goes beyond celebration and documentation. It tells the story of how India’s AI revolution is being shaped not in boardrooms alone, but in labs, incubation centres, small towns, and mission-driven startups across the country.

AI-Preneurs of India at India AI Summit

A Chronicle of 45 Purpose-Driven AI Startups

‘AI-Preneurs of India’ is the seventh edition in AIM’sInnovations For You coffee table series. This edition documents the journeys of 45 pioneering AI startups that are tackling real-world challenges across more than 30 sector domains.

From healthcare and education to sustainability, mobility, sports analytics, deep tech, and social impact — the breadth of sectors covered in the book reflects how artificial intelligence is no longer confined to experimental labs or enterprise automation. It is now embedded in everyday problem-solving.

What stands out is not just the diversity of sectors, but the diversity of geography. Drawing from AIM’s nationwide network of Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), the book captures innovation stories emerging from across India — extending well beyond traditional tech hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Delhi NCR. Emerging clusters from smaller cities and states are equally represented, underscoring the decentralisation of India’s deep-tech movement.

In many ways, the book maps the expanding footprint of AI-driven innovation in India — showing that the country’s AI narrative is not limited to scale, but deeply tied to inclusion.

Anchored in a National Vision for Responsible AI

Speaking at the launch, Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM, emphasised that the Prime Minister’s vision for artificial intelligence is rooted in inclusive growth, ethical deployment, and AI for social good.

According to him, ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ reflects this vision in action. The founders featured in the book are not merely building cutting-edge technologies; they are developing AI solutions grounded in India’s realities and aligned with national priorities. He described them as unsung heroes of innovation — entrepreneurs who are quietly solving some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

At a time when global conversations around AI are often dominated by big tech valuations and geopolitical competition, this framing is significant. AIM’s messaging is clear: India’s AI leadership will be built not just on technological prowess, but on purpose-led innovation.

Founder-First Storytelling: The Human Side of Deep Tech

What sets this edition apart is its founder-first storytelling approach.

Rather than focusing purely on technological breakthroughs or market size, the book delves into the motivations, struggles, and resilience of entrepreneurs navigating India’s deep-tech landscape. It captures the human side of AI — the persistence behind product pivots, the policy hurdles, the early-stage funding challenges, and the belief systems that keep founders going.

This shift from a profit-centric narrative to a purpose-driven lens signals a broader evolution in India’s startup storytelling. AI innovation, as portrayed here, is not just about disruption; it is about impact.

By documenting these journeys, AIM is helping shape a new national narrative — one where entrepreneurship and social good are not separate tracks, but deeply interconnected.

India as a Global Contributor, Not Just a Consumer

The timing of the launch is notable. Artificial intelligence is currently at the centre of global economic and policy discussions. Nations are racing to define regulatory frameworks, attract AI investments, and build sovereign capabilities.

Through ‘AI-Preneurs of India’, AIM positions India not merely as a consumer of frontier technologies, but as a global contributor shaping responsible and inclusive AI pathways.

The publication showcases how public innovation infrastructure — including incubation networks, sustained mentoring, and mission-led governance — is enabling Indian startups to build scalable solutions with global relevance. It reinforces the role of structured government support in accelerating deep-tech ecosystems.

Policymakers and Ecosystem Leaders Weigh In

The launch panel brought together senior policymakers and ecosystem leaders to discuss India’s evolving AI landscape and the frameworks shaping its growth.

Among those present were Amneet P Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Future, Government of Haryana; Rajshekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman, SETU Aayog, Government of Uttarakhand; Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC; Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI; and Raghav Chandra, IAS, Former Secretary to the Government of India.

The discussion revolved around policy enablement, the role of startups in driving inclusive AI innovation, and how collaboration between state governments, central institutions, and ecosystem enablers is becoming critical to sustaining momentum.

The presence of state-level policymakers also highlighted an important trend: AI is no longer seen as a centralised policy agenda. States are increasingly shaping their own innovation frameworks, contributing to a federated yet cohesive AI ecosystem.

A Strategic Boost to the AI Startup Ecosystem

Beyond being a celebratory publication, ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ is positioned as an ecosystem-building tool.

By spotlighting emerging innovators, AIM aims to encourage stronger collaboration between policymakers and startups, inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, and reinforce the importance of ethical and inclusive AI development.

The book acts as both recognition and roadmap — documenting where India’s AI ecosystem stands today, and hinting at the direction it intends to take.

With this launch, the Atal Innovation Mission continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for deep-tech innovation in India. As AI reshapes global economies, initiatives like ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ send a clear message: India’s ambition is not only to participate in the AI revolution, but to shape it — responsibly, inclusively, and with purpose.

And if the 45 stories captured in this edition are any indication, that journey is already well underway.