Atal Innovation Mission launches ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ at India AI Impact Summit 2026, showcasing India’s purpose driven AI Ecosystem
Atal Innovation Mission launches ‘AI-Preneurs of India’ at India AI Impact Summit 2026, showcasing India’s purpose driven AI Ecosystem
Reaffirming India’s emergence as a global leader in responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence, Atal Innovation Mission, under NITI Aayog, today launched AI-Preneurs of India, a flagship coffee table book chronicling the journeys of 45 pioneering AI startups shaping solutions for real-world challenges.
The book was unveiled at the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking the 7th edition of AIM’s Innovations For You coffee table series and reinforcing AIM’s leadership in building India’s deep-tech and AI startup ecosystem.
AI-Preneurs of India features startups working across 30+ sector domains, including healthcare, education, sustainability, mobility, sports analytics, deep tech, and social impact. Drawing from a nationwide network of Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), the book reflects the geographic and thematic diversity of India’s AI innovation landscape, extending far beyond traditional technology hubs.
Speaking at the launch, Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, said:
“The Hon’ble Prime Minister has consistently articulated a clear vision for Artificial Intelligence, one that is rooted in inclusive growth, ethical deployment, and AI for social good. AI-Preneurs of India is a reflection of that vision in action. The founders featured in this book are not merely building cutting-edge technologies; they are developing AI solutions that are grounded in India’s realities and aligned with national priorities. This book showcases India’s path toward leading the global AI discourse through purpose-led innovation and today through this book on this great occasion, AIM celebrates these unsung heroes of Innovation,”
The launch panel brought together senior policymakers and ecosystem leaders, including Ms Amneet P Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Future, Government of Haryana; Shri Rajshekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman, SETU Aayog, Government of Uttarakhand; Shri Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC; Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI; and Shri Raghav Chandra, IAS, Former Secretary to the Government of India.
What distinguishes this edition is its founder-first storytelling approach, capturing not just technological breakthroughs but also the motivations, challenges, and perseverance of entrepreneurs navigating the deep-tech landscape. By foregrounding the human stories behind AI innovation, the book underscores a shift from profit-centric narratives to purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Released at a moment when artificial intelligence dominates global policy and economic conversations, AI-Preneurs of India positions India not merely as a consumer of frontier technologies, but as a global contributor shaping responsible AI pathways. The book showcases how public innovation infrastructure, sustained incubation support, and mission-led governance are enabling Indian startups to deliver scalable impact with global relevance. Access the book here: https://aim.gov.in/resources.php
