TLDR: At an IIM Calcutta Innovation Park event, experts emphasized that India’s future in AI will be shaped by scalable, inclusive, and monetizable applications designed for the “next billion users.” Over 75 startups received hands-on training in Google’s generative AI tools, including Gemini 2.5, Gemma 3.0, Vertex AI, and AI Studio, as part of a national initiative by Google for Startups, aiming to foster innovation for sustainable development and livelihoods.
Kolkata, August 7, 2025 – India is poised to lead the global artificial intelligence landscape by focusing on the development of scalable, inclusive, and monetizable AI applications, particularly those tailored for the “next billion users.” This was the central theme emphasized by experts at a recent panel discussion held as part of an event organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), an incubator supporting over 75 early-stage startups.
The panel featured prominent figures including Prof. Vimal Kumar M of IIM Calcutta, angel investor Deepak Daftari, and SuperProcure Co-founder Manisha Saraf. The discussion was moderated by Gaurav Kapoor, Chief Business Officer of IIMCIP. Speakers highlighted India’s unique advantage in AI innovation, contingent on startups prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and practical applications across vital sectors such as logistics, agriculture, education, and public services.
In a significant move to bolster this vision, IIMCIP announced that participating startups received hands-on training in Google’s cutting-edge generative AI tools. This comprehensive training, part of a national initiative by Google for Startups, covered technologies like Gemini 2.5, Gemma 3.0, Vertex AI, and AI Studio. The program facilitated direct engagement between participants and Google engineers, venture capitalists, and domain experts through product workshops, mentorship sessions, and investor connect opportunities, providing invaluable practical insights for building AI-first ventures from the ground up.
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Enisha Kalita, Program Manager at Google for Startups, underscored the transformative potential of generative AI for India. “Generative AI is not just a tech evolution – it’s a shift in how solutions for India can be imagined. We want startups to build with impact and scalability in mind,” she stated. Echoing this sentiment, Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIMCIP, emphasized the collaborative goal to fuel innovation that supports sustainable development and improves livelihoods. “By bringing these tools and networks to early-stage founders, we’re enabling them to solve real-world problems through purposeful innovation,” Sanyal added.
