Tech pioneer and Naukri.com founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani has sparked a powerful conversation on India’s deep tech landscape, stating that startups alone cannot shoulder the burden of building breakthrough technologies like AI. In a detailed X post, he emphasized that deep tech ventures require a "longer time horizon of over 20-25 years" and massive capital – far beyond the reach of traditional VCs or individual entrepreneurs.
Citing OpenAI’s USD 58 billion funding journey, Bikhchandani explained that early backers were not VCs but deep-pocketed players like Elon Musk and, later, Microsoft. “Creating an Indian equivalent of OpenAI will still need around USD 12 billion – who has that kind of balance sheet?” he asked, pointing to the likes of Reliance Retail, Adani Group, Tata Group, Infosys, and even PSUs like ONGC Foundation as necessary contributors.
With consumer startups dominating headlines, Bikhchandani urged a shift in focus, highlighting the importance of technologies that solve societal challenges and create lasting impact. “The most impactful tech becomes invisible over time—like electricity, semiconductors, cloud computing,” he noted, adding that only long-term or perpetual capital can power such innovation. “It can’t just be the responsibility of the startup world to build deep tech… this needs to be thought through,” he concluded.
AIM Network
Tech pioneer and Naukri.com founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani has sparked a powerful conversation on India’s deep tech landscape, stating that startups alone cannot shoulder the burden of building breakthrough technologies like AI. In a detailed X post, he emphasized that deep tech ventures require a "longer time horizon of over 20-25 years" and massive capital – far beyond the reach of traditional VCs or individual entrepreneurs.
Citing OpenAI’s USD 58 billion funding journey, Bikhchandani explained that early backers were not VCs but deep-pocketed players like Elon Musk and, later, Microsoft. “Creating an Indian equivalent of OpenAI will still need around USD 12 billion – who has that kind of balance sheet?” he asked, pointing to the likes of Reliance Retail, Adani Group, Tata Group, Infosys, and even PSUs like ONGC Foundation as necessary contributors.
With consumer startups dominating headlines, Bikhchandani urged a shift in focus, highlighting the importance of technologies that solve societal challenges and create lasting impact. “The most impactful tech becomes invisible over time—like electricity, semiconductors, cloud computing,” he noted, adding that only long-term or perpetual capital can power such innovation. “It can’t just be the responsibility of the startup world to build deep tech… this needs to be thought through,” he concluded.
#DeepTechIndia #SanjeevBikhchandani #AIInvestment #IndianStartups #TechForImpact
4 months ago | [YT] | 521