Ishank Gupta

Tag: Deep Tech

  • India’s AI Startup Formula: Wrappers vs Real Tech

    In India’s buzzing AI startup scene, a new formula is trending: take someone else’s pre-built AI model or tool, put a slick user interface on it, and call it an “AI startup.” In other words, repackage existing tech with a shiny wrapper and call it innovation. This approach might create a quick buzz and a functional app, but is it really deep tech — or just surface-level design?

    The Rise of the “Wrapper” AI Startup

    Many new AI ventures today follow this wrapper startup formula. They take an existing AI model or API built by someone else, add a bit of custom code or a slick user interface on top, and then market it as a new product. The pitch often sounds like, “We fixed the UX,” or “We made AI easy for users.” Sure, better UX is valuable – but under the hood, the core engine isn’t theirs. It’s akin to putting a fresh coat of paint on someone else’s machine: it may look new, but the technology driving it is the same.

    Core-Tech AI Startups: Building the Engine

    In contrast, true deep-tech AI startups build their own engines from the ground up. They develop original models, gather proprietary data, and conduct in-house research. These founders can proudly say, “We built the whole engine,” rather than just the shell. This approach is tougher and more time-consuming — it demands serious R&D and patience — but it produces genuine innovation and intellectual property. In other words, real tech happens when the model is yours, the data is yours, and the research is yours.

    Why India Needs More Core Tech Innovation

    If most AI startups here stick to wrapping existing tech, India will remain a consumer rather than a creator of technology. Copying someone else’s tech with a better UI might get you a company, sure. But it won’t build a thriving ecosystem. As the saying goes, a copy can build a company, but only original research builds an ecosystem.

    When Indian startups focus on core tech, they strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem. Home-grown AI breakthroughs mean future ventures can build on Indian innovations, academia can partner with industry on cutting-edge projects, and India is seen as a tech creator, not just an adapter. In short, India needs more core-tech creators, not just app builders.

    From Wrapper to Innovator: A Call to Action

    To young builders and founders: aim to be a tech innovator, not just an app assembler. Using existing models and APIs is a fine way to start — it lets you prototype quickly and learn. But don’t stop there. Dive deeper. Learn how those models work under the hood. Collect your own data. Train your own models, even if they start simple. Tackle problems that off-the-shelf tools haven’t cracked. Yes, it’s a tougher path, but that’s where real breakthroughs lie. In the long run, those who build the engine will drive innovation forward. Ask yourself: Are you just fixing the UX, or are you building the whole engine?

  • Why India’s MSMEs Need a Digital Push from the Ground Up

    India is witnessing a boom in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech at the highest levels. The government is pouring funds into AI through initiatives like a National AI Mission, and startups are making headlines with cutting-edge solutions. However, outside the glitzy tech hubs, millions of small businesses remain stuck in the past. The AI and deep tech revolution has yet to reach these grassroots enterprises.

    The High-Tech vs. Ground Reality Disconnect

    There is a glaring disconnect between high-level tech advancement and ground-level adoption. India has over 63 million MSMEs – the backbone of the economy – but most remain largely analog. While the tech sector races ahead, the typical small business owner still relies on pen-and-paper ledgers, manual billing, and gut-feel inventory management. By some estimates, over 80% of these businesses use such basic methods, meaning today’s AI innovations are effectively out of reach for them.

    Notebooks, Excel, and Memory: The MSME Routine

    Walk into a typical kirana (neighborhood grocery) store or small workshop and the reality is clear: sales and expenses are often logged in a notebook. Invoices are handwritten and inventory exists mostly in the owner’s memory. Despite the rise of UPI and other digital payments at the counter, these businesses have little to no digital infrastructure behind the scenes. A huge part of the economy thus runs without modern tools – no analytics, no AI-driven efficiency, just paper and memory.

    Why Bottom-Up Digital Adoption Matters

    To truly realize a “Digital India,” change must happen from the bottom up. Focusing only on top-tier tech innovation while ignoring small enterprises creates a superficial digital revolution. Bottom-up digital adoption means equipping MSMEs – the local shop, the warehouse, the family-run factory – with accessible tech tools. If these businesses digitize their operations, it lays the foundation for next-level advancements:

    • Operational Efficiency: Moving from paper to digital systems reduces errors and saves time. Tasks like billing, accounting, and inventory tracking become faster and more accurate.
    • Data-Driven Decisions: Once information is digitized, businesses can leverage data for better decision-making. For example, digital sales records allow owners to identify trends and manage stock proactively rather than by guesswork.
    • Access to Advanced Tech: With digital data in place, MSMEs can finally tap into advanced tools like AI analytics, predictive inventory management, or personalized marketing. Without basic digitization, these deep tech innovations simply cannot be applied.

    No AI Revolution Without MSME Digitization

    India’s AI and deep tech revolution will remain hollow if it doesn’t uplift its foundational businesses. The country cannot claim true digital transformation while so many entrepreneurs remain stuck in the ledger-and-pen era. Digital India’s success hinges on MSME inclusion. Empowering small businesses with digital tools is not just a tech upgrade, but a necessity for sustainable growth. Only when the neighborhood retailer and the small-scale manufacturer go digital will the tech revolution move beyond buzzwords. In essence, without MSME digitization, India’s AI and deep tech advances remain superficial.

  • AGI: Game-Changer or Just Hype?

    Everyone’s talking about AGI—Artificial General Intelligence—as the technology that will change everything. But is that really true? Or is AGI just another overhyped idea?

    The Promise of AGI

    AGI is supposed to replicate human-level intelligence. In theory, it could solve any problem a human can—learning, reasoning, adapting, and even creating. Sounds revolutionary, right?

    The Current Reality

    In reality, AGI doesn’t exist yet. It’s still a concept. We have powerful AI tools today, but they are limited to specific tasks. AGI would require massive compute power, billions of dollars in research, and major breakthroughs in understanding how intelligence really works.

    More Than Just Data and Logic

    Intelligence is not just about processing data. It also includes creativity, emotions, intuition, and understanding human context. Can AGI ever replicate those things? Right now, that’s still very uncertain.

    The Balanced View

    AGI may be revolutionary—but maybe not as powerful or magical as it’s often portrayed. Believing in the promise of AGI is fine, but understanding its limits is just as important. Real innovation will require both hope and honesty.

    Conclusion

    The future of AGI is exciting, but also full of unknowns. Let’s stay curious—but cautious. For a quick take on this topic, watch our YouTube Short(in Hindi):
    Watch the YouTube Short.

  • Why India Needs to Think Bigger Than Grocery Apps

    On one side, we see Chinese startups building electric vehicles, semiconductors, AI platforms, and advanced robotics. And on the other side, many Indian startups are busy with food delivery, grocery apps, ice creams, and fantasy sports.

    It’s Not About What’s “Bad”

    Let’s be clear—these sectors aren’t useless. Convenience-driven apps have improved daily life, created jobs, and brought tech to millions. But if our vision as a startup ecosystem stays limited to comfort and convenience, how will India ever become a global tech leader?

    What China Is Building

    China is making its own chips, leading battery technology, and creating global supply chains. It is investing heavily in deep-tech and future-forward infrastructure. Their ambition is global domination—and they’re building like it.

    India’s Missed Opportunity?

    We need to step out of short-term thinking and focus on long-term innovation. Deep-tech is risky. It’s slow. But it’s also where true impact lies. If India wants to lead the world tomorrow, we have to start building like that today.

    Think Big. Build Bold.

    What India has already built is impressive. But what we can build is where our real future lies. We have the talent. We have the energy. Now we need the ambition.

    So let’s stop settling for what’s easy—and start aiming for what’s transformational.

    🇮🇳 Think big. Build bold.

    Conclusion

    India’s startup ecosystem has huge potential—but we must expand our vision beyond comfort. For more thoughts on this topic, check out our YouTube Short(In Hindi):
    Watch the YouTube Short.

  • From Food Delivery to Deep Tech: What Piyush Goyal’s Message Really Means for Indian Startups

    At Startup Mahakumbh, when Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asked—“Will we remain limited to food delivery and gig work?”—it created a buzz across India’s startup circles.

    It Wasn’t Criticism. It Was a Challenge.

    I was there. I heard his full session live. While many perceived his words as critical, I saw them as a bold and honest reminder. India’s startup ecosystem is already the third largest in the world. But if we truly want to become number one, we need to move beyond comfort and convenience.

    Time to Go Beyond Food Delivery

    We’ve built successful companies in food delivery, e-commerce, and gig economy—but now it’s time to step into deep-tech, AI, semiconductors, space-tech, and climate-tech. These are the areas where the future is being shaped.

    The Government Has Taken the First Step

    Infrastructure is improving. Policies are becoming founder-friendly. PLI schemes, semiconductor missions, AI research funding—all of this is already in motion. Now it’s our turn as founders to lead innovation that positions India on the global tech map.

    Don’t Take It Personally. Take It Seriously.

    Piyush Goyal ji is not against founders. He is rooting for us. He is encouraging us to aim higher—not just to build what’s trending, but what will matter 10 years from now. The real question isn’t “Why did he say that?”—it’s “What are we doing next?”

    Conclusion

    What we’ve already built is inspiring. But what we’re capable of building—there’s no limit to that. Let’s not settle for being the largest convenience economy. Let’s aim to be the world’s innovation powerhouse.

    For more insights, check out our YouTube Short (in Hindi) on this topic:
    Watch the YouTube Short.