TLDR: L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) has launched ‘Pitch Point,’ an AI startup competition designed to identify, mentor, and invest in innovative solutions for the BFSI and other sectors. The initiative precedes RAISE’ 25, India’s leading AI event in financial services, and offers two winners ₹25 Lakhs each, along with potential collaboration and funding opportunities. Applications are open until October 20, 2025, with the final event scheduled for November 7, 2025, in Mumbai.
Mumbai, Maharashtra – L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a prominent Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), has announced the launch of ‘Pitch Point,’ a groundbreaking competition aimed at fostering innovation within the artificial intelligence (AI) startup ecosystem. This initiative is strategically positioned ahead of RAISE’ 25, India’s premier AI-themed event focused on the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
The ‘Pitch Point’ competition seeks to engage early to growth-stage AI startups, providing them with a platform to showcase their transformative solutions. These solutions are expected to be applicable across various domains, including both BFSI and non-BFSI sectors. Key areas of interest for submissions include Cyber Security & Fraud Prevention, Rural & Agri Fintech, Generative AI Applications, Embedded Finance Solutions, Smart Contract & Blockchain Solutions, Alternate Data Based Lending Solutions, AI-Driven Credit Scoring & Risk Assessment, and Regulatory Technology & Compliance Tools.
Mr. Sudipta Roy, Managing Director & CEO at LTF, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “Given L&T Finance’s sharp focus on leveraging next-gen AI technologies to transform our lending business, this competition is a significant step towards identifying, mentoring, and investing in the next set of game-changing startups. The launch of ‘Pitch Point’ underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and exploring the broader applications of AI, discovering new solutions that can deliver value not only in the BFSI space but also across multiple industries.”
Two winning startups will each receive a prize of ₹25 Lakhs. Beyond the monetary award, winners will gain invaluable opportunities to engage in discussions with LTF or other L&T Group companies to explore Proof-of-Concept (PoC) implementations. Furthermore, they will have the chance to discuss potential equity funding with L&T Innovation Fund, the venture capital arm of Larsen & Toubro.
The application window for ‘Pitch Point’ is currently open and will close on October 20, 2025. A virtual interaction round will follow for shortlisted applicants, leading to the selection of five finalists. The final shortlist is slated for announcement on November 1, 2025. The culmination of the program will be a live presentation event at RAISE’ 25 on November 7, 2025, held at the prestigious Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
The judging panel for ‘Pitch Point’ comprises distinguished industry leaders: Mr. Rajan Anandan (Managing Director, Peak XV Partners & Surge), Ms. Tanusree Deb Barma (IAS, Deputy Director General, UIDAI Technology Centre, Bengaluru), Mr. Piyush Shah (Co-founder, InMobi and President, Glance), Ms. Sushma Kaushik (Head, L&T Innovation Fund), Mr. Arpit Agarwal (Investment Partner, Blume Ventures), and Dr. Debarag Banerjee (Chief AI & Data Officer, LTF).
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RAISE’ 25 itself is themed “Accelerating Financial Services with AI,” promising a comprehensive exploration of AI through its three-pronged approach: Accelerated, Applied, and Advanced. Companies interested in applying or seeking further information can contact the organizing team at [email protected].
