Enterprise AI: From Promise to Practice- How Indian Startups Are Leading the Charge

The revolution in enterprise AI is no longer theoretical — it’s being built in real time, transforming core industries across the world. While AI adoption globally is accelerating, the patterns are varied. Large corporates are pouring resources into bespoke AI platforms. In contrast, startups, especially in India, are leveraging agility and contextual innovation to drive outcomes. With deep talent, a thriving digital economy, and growing investment, India is fast emerging as a powerhouse in enterprise AI transformation.

The Global Enterprise AI Landscape

Globally, AI has moved to the centre of enterprise strategy. According to the 2025 InvestAI Report, 74% of companies are already using AI, with the fastest adoption seen in customer service, but the impact is now spreading across enterprise functions.

AI investment momentum is massive:

• >$100B was invested in AI startups globally in 2024, with AI accounting for over 30% of all VC investments, more than any other sector.
• AI infrastructure spending crossed $200B, the highest capital investment by hyperscalers to date.
• Enterprise AI spend surged 6x year-on-year to $13.8B in 2024, up from just $2.3B in 2023.

But challenges remain:

• Data readiness continues to be a bottleneck for scalable AI deployment.
• Talent scarcity persists, especially for high-skill AI and ML roles.
• AI trust and explainability are critical concerns in regulated sectors.

Despite these, enterprise AI is no longer in experimentation mode — it’s on the path to maturity and monetisation.

India’s Distinct Advantage

India's AI story stands apart due to structural strengths and contextual bets. Bengaluru alone accounted for over 40% of all Indian AI funding in 2024, followed by NCR. Interestingly, >90% of India’s AI capital went into applications and tooling, compared to the US, where most funding went into foundational infrastructure — a testament to India’s pragmatic, outcomes-first innovation culture.

Other tailwinds:

• IndiaAI Mission and initiatives for local semiconductors are catalyzing infrastructure.
• A surge of AI-first SaaS startups is addressing sector-specific enterprise needs.
• India’s cost-effective talent and SaaS DNA position it to build sustainable, value-driven enterprise AI businesses.

Enterprise AI in Action: Lessons from SenseAI’s Portfolio

At SenseAI Ventures, we back AI-first startups operationalizing innovation across sectors. Our portfolio reflects the breadth of real-world AI transformation in India:

Floworks

Automating GTM functions, Floworks AI agents handle outreach, sales enablement, and support, enabling leaner and faster sales operations.

CureSkin

CureSkin uses computer vision to provide dermatological diagnostics in underserved areas, turning specialist care into a mobile-first, scalable solution.

Contineu

In construction, Contineu 's AI-based OS enables real-time workflow tracking across job sites, bringing much-needed visibility and coordination to a traditionally fragmented industry.

Confido Health

Confido Health automates surgical care journeys — from pre-op planning to post-op recovery — allowing clinical teams to focus on care, not coordination.

Irame

Irame 's AI-driven auditing platform delivers real-time compliance by autonomously parsing structured and unstructured data across financial systems.

These startups highlight how AI is not just automating, but augmenting, personalizing, and even reasoning across verticals.

Why This Matters to Founders and Investors

For founders, the frontier lies in vertical AI solutions that marry domain-specific data with deep learning models. The shift from workflow automation to decision automation requires systems that learn, adapt, and explain.

For investors, the moment is ripe to back companies building agentic architectures — AI systems capable of planning, reasoning, and autonomous execution. With AI-first SaaS expected to grab $ 100 M+ in market share from traditional SaaS in 2025 alone, the enterprise opportunity is only growing.

The Road Ahead: From Adoption to Advantage

The future of enterprise AI is defined by three key shifts:

• Verticalisation of AI: Industry-specific applications will outpace generic models.
• Hybrid Human-AI Collaboration: Especially in functions like marketing and legal.
• AI Trust & Governance: Transparent, ethical AI will win long-term enterprise trust.

As we move forward, AI won’t just be a tool. It will become a strategic advantage. From Edge AI powering smart devices to reasoning models unlocking new decisions, enterprise AI will increasingly operate at the intersection of autonomy and impact.

At SenseAI, we’re proud to partner with founders shaping this transformation, not just for the future, but for today.