About This Report
How we built the most comprehensive picture of AI adoption in Indian startups
We are at an inflection point.
We are at an inflection point.
Over the past twelve months, AI has moved from boardroom conversation to ground-level reality for Indian startups. Models are getting remarkably good at coding, reasoning, and long-range tasks. And founders, across sectors, stages, and functions, are making real bets.
Over the past twelve months, AI has moved from boardroom conversation to ground-level reality for Indian startups. Models are getting remarkably good at coding, reasoning, and long-range tasks. And founders, across sectors, stages, and functions, are making real bets.
At Elevation Capital, our AI Operations team works closely with founders across our portfolio and the broader ecosystem to learn how startups are building, experimenting, and transforming with AI. Through that work, we've observed patterns that aren't always visible from the outside—what's working, what's stalling, and where the real opportunities lie.
At Elevation Capital, our AI Operations team works closely with founders across our portfolio and the broader ecosystem to learn how startups are building, experimenting, and transforming with AI. Through that work, we've observed patterns that aren't always visible from the outside—what's working, what's stalling, and where the real opportunities lie.
This report is our effort to capture that momentum. We surveyed 180+ startup leaders across early-stage Indian startups to understand how AI adoption is actually playing out on the ground.
This report is our effort to capture that momentum. We surveyed 180+ startup leaders across early-stage Indian startups to understand how AI adoption is actually playing out on the ground.
Methodology
This report is based on a primary survey conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, complemented by qualitative conversations with select founders and functional leaders.
This report is based on a primary survey conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, complemented by qualitative conversations with select founders and functional leaders.
180+ respondents across CEO/Founder, CTO, CMO, CPO, and other C-Suite roles
Respondent mix: Portfolio companies and non-portfolio startups across the Indian ecosystem
Stages covered: Bootstrapped to Series C+ (predominantly Seed and early-stage)
Sectors covered: B2B, B2C, Vertical AI, Consumer Tech, Fintech, Deeptech, and more
180+ respondents across CEO/Founder, CTO, CMO, CPO, and other C-Suite roles
Respondent mix: Portfolio companies and non-portfolio startups across the Indian ecosystem
Stages covered: Bootstrapped to Series C+ (predominantly Seed and early-stage)
Sectors covered: B2B, B2C, Vertical AI, Consumer Tech, Fintech, Deeptech, and more
The findings reflect the state of AI adoption specifically in early-stage Indian startups - a segment where resource constraints, speed of execution, and founder-led culture create a uniquely intense laboratory for AI transformation.
The findings reflect the state of AI adoption specifically in early-stage Indian startups - a segment where resource constraints, speed of execution, and founder-led culture create a uniquely intense laboratory for AI transformation.
A note on data: When response counts for specific questions are lower than the total survey base, we have reported findings only when the sample was large enough to draw reliable conclusions. All percentages are calculated against actual respondents to that question.
A note on data: When response counts for specific questions are lower than the total survey base, we have reported findings only when the sample was large enough to draw reliable conclusions. All percentages are calculated against actual respondents to that question.
Methodology
This report is based on a primary survey conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, complemented by qualitative conversations with select founders and functional leaders.
ELEVATION
AI Adoption Survey Report · Indian Startups 2025
Explore By Roles
Deep-dive into the data that matters most to your function
AI Adoption Survey Report · Indian Startups 2025
Explore By Roles
Deep-dive into the data that matters most to your function
AI Adoption Survey Report · Indian Startups 2025