Veteran consumer internet founders roll up sleeves to launch deeptech, AI startups

AI Hardware Deep‑Tech in India 2026: The New Frontier for Enterprise Innovation AI Hardware Deep‑Tech in India 2026: The New Frontier for Enterprise Innovation The first half of 2026 marks a pivotal moment for India’s technology ecosystem. Veteran founders who once dominated the consumer‑internet arena are channeling their scale expertise and capital into hardware‑centric AI ventures. With deep‑tech VC fundraising rebounding to over $3.5 billion , these entrepreneurs are redefining investment priorities, accelerating product timelines, and embedding generative models at the firmware level of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles. Capital Influx & Founder Momentum Deep‑tech funding surge: VC rounds hit $3.5 billion in 2026; new funds such as Peak XV ($1.4–1.6 bn) and Z47 ($350–450 m) signal a strategic pivot toward hardware. Founder portfolio breadth: Ex‑Zomato COO Surobhi Das leads aerospace AI, Ola Electric execs launch robotics start‑up Manav, ShareChat co‑founders target general autonomy, and InShorts founder Fenado builds AI tools for embedded systems. Operational ROI promise: Vertical AI solutions deliver 10–25 % cost savings for MSMEs—an attractive metric for enterprise buyers. Security imperative: With AI‑driven phishing and deepfakes projected to dominate cybercrime in 2027, early integration of adversarial robustness is non‑negotiable. Strategic Business Implications: From SaaS to Hardware‑Integrated AI The convergence of consumer‑scale operational know‑how with hardware‑first AI creates a new value chain that traditional SaaS‑centric firms have largely ignored. Venture capitalists now evaluate startups on dual milestones—hardware delivery and AI software maturity. Founders bring brand equity, distribution networks, and proven growth engines that translate into faster go‑to‑market cycles for physical products. For corporate strategists, the key takeaway is clear: enterprise AI procurement must evolve from “buy SaaS” to “integrate hardware + software.” The