Indian startup sectors, explained

By Abha Lohia · Startup Decoded

How each part of India's startup economy works: the customers, the business models, the money, the rules and the risks.

AI & Deep Tech AI and deep tech is the group of startups that build on hard science or heavy engineering: AI models, voice and vision software, robots, chips, drones, rockets and quantum machines. In India it is young, fast-moving and shaped as much by government programmes as by venture money.
Commerce & Consumer Brands Commerce and consumer brand startups sell physical goods and food to Indian households, either by running the shop (a marketplace or app) or by making the product (a brand). It is a large, low-margin, rule-heavy part of the startup world.
Financial Services Fintech in India means startups that move money, lend it, insure it or invest it using software, usually on top of rails built by the government and the banks. It is the most crowded and most regulated part of the startup world.
Healthcare & Life Sciences Healthcare startups in India sell care, medicines, tests, devices and software to a country where most health spending still comes from people's own pockets. This guide explains how the sector works and where startups fit.