Bajaj Group to Fund AI Startups with ₹2000 Cr

Bajaj Finserv and its group companies are making a significant commitment to India's technological future. Over the next five years, they plan to invest between ₹1,500 crore and ₹2,000 crore in artificial intelligence innovation startups. This substantial funding aims to address the current shortfall in private sector investment for research and development within India.

The initiative, named Finserv Intelligence, will concentrate on supporting early-stage companies, from seed to Series B funding. The focus will be on startups demonstrating high scalability potential across critical sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, fintech, and consumer technology. This strategic move underscores the group's belief in building advanced technological solutions within India for both domestic and global markets.

Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv, emphasized that the group's decision to invest and build in India aligns with the need for greater private sector involvement in R&D. He cited a Niti Aayog report highlighting India's comparatively low R&D expenditure. Finserv Intelligence is designed as a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration between academic institutions, startups, and in-house experts, with a long-term vision for tangible impact.