Antler India bets on AI, climate tech, and deeptech with new startup cohort

VC firm Antler India has introduced nine early-stage startups spanning artificial intelligence, climate technology, mobility, enterprise software, fintech, consumer technology, and healthtech in its new cohort.

This move highlights how investors are increasingly backing founders tackling complex industrial and infrastructure problems rather than focusing on consumer internet businesses alone.

The nine companies emerged from stealth at Antler's latest India Showcase in Bengaluru, where founders presented their products and early business traction before beginning wider fundraising discussions.

The cohort comprises an autonomous cargo seaplane developer, a long-duration battery maker, and an AI-powered enterprise software, besides wealth management and consumer hardware startups.

“This cohort reflects the incredible depth of founder ambition we are seeing emerge from India. Across AI, climate, enterprise software, fintech, mobility, healthtech, and consumer technology, these founders are building solutions with global relevance from Day Zero,” said Rajiv Srivatsa, Partner at Antler India.

“AI is no longer confined to a single sector. It is becoming the foundational layer across industries, enabling startups to solve complex problems faster and unlock entirely new business models,” he added.

Many of the cohort startups reflect this trend. Resollect applies AI to recover non-performing assets or defaulted loans, while Hexo Labs helps enterprises deploy open-weight AI models. Kenko AI automates administrative work for small service businesses, while Naptick combines AI with bedside hardware to improve sleep.

Others focus on engineering-led innovation.

Aspera Industries is developing an autonomous amphibious cargo aircraft designed to reduce freight costs, while MEINE Electric is building iron-air batteries for long-duration energy storage, which allows renewable electricity to be stored for extended periods to improve grid reliability.

“The future belongs to founders who combine deep domain expertise with AI-first thinking. What stands out in this cohort is the diversity of problems being addressed from scientific research and financial services to energy, mobility, consumer experiences and enterprise automation, all powered by advances in AI,” said Nitin Sharma, Partner at Antler India.

The showcase also reflects a broader shift in India’s startup landscape. Recent months have seen fresh investment commitments towards AI infrastructure by both technology companies and government-backed programmes, alongside policies aimed at supporting deeptech startups.

Large companies including HCLTech have announced significant investments in AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, the IndiaAI Mission has expanded access to computing resources and support for indigenous AI development.

Antler India says it has backed more than 115 startups through its $75 million India fund. The latest portfolio shows how venture capital is increasingly spreading across AI-native software, climate technologies, and advanced manufacturing, highlighting investors’ growing appetite for businesses with global ambitions rather than a purely domestic focus.