Investment surge expected in India's AI sector, says WestBridge's Rishit Desai

Core Insights - India's artificial intelligence startup ecosystem is expected to experience significant growth-stage funding within the next 4-12 months, with projections of $100 million funding rounds becoming common [1][12] Investment Trends - WestBridge Capital has already led several substantial investments in AI startups in 2025, including a $60 million round in Tessel, a $50 million Series B in UnifyApps, and a $40 million investment in Finbox [3][12] - The firm is focusing on enterprise-oriented AI investments across both infrastructure and application layers, aiming to serve global enterprises [4][6] Market Dynamics - Investor interest in AI has shifted from broad enthusiasm to a more focused approach, with firms like Peak XV and Lightspeed concentrating on specific application layers, while WestBridge maintains a broader investment strategy [4] - The IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in India is anticipated to be one of the first sectors disrupted by AI, as it can significantly reduce operational costs [6] Company Portfolio - WestBridge Capital manages over $7 billion in assets, with early-stage investments ranging from $5-10 million, growth-stage investments typically between $50 million and $70 million, and late-stage deals spanning $100-300 million [9][12] - The firm has a diverse portfolio that includes several unicorns such as Rapido, Innovaccer, and PhysicsWallah, indicating a strong presence in various sectors [10][12] Recent Exits - Notable exits for WestBridge include the acquisition of GlobalLogic by Hitachi for $9.6 billion and a complete exit from Aptus Value Housing Finance in a block deal worth ₹2,600 crore [11][12]