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Peak XV’s Surge Launches 11th Cohort of 23 Startups, AI Steals the Spotlight

  • September 26, 2025
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Bengaluru, India: Peak XV’s Surge accelerator has unveiled its 11th cohort, featuring 23 promising startups with AI taking center stage. This marks the third cohort since Surge spun

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Peak XV’s Surge Launches 11th Cohort of 23 Startups, AI Steals the Spotlight

Bengaluru, India: Peak XV’s Surge accelerator has unveiled its 11th cohort, featuring 23 promising startups with AI taking center stage. This marks the third cohort since Surge spun out from Sequoia Capital to operate as an independent entity, further cementing its role as a leading early-stage accelerator in the region.


AI Dominates the New Cohort

Artificial intelligence continues to be the driving force in this batch, with 12 startups leveraging AI across a range of sectors, including enterprise solutions, consumer applications, and vertical-specific innovations. Fintech remains another key focus, alongside emerging consumer brands and developer tools.

Notable AI and fintech startups in this cohort include:

  • Finster – AI-driven financial solutions
  • Ignosis – predictive analytics and decision-making tools
  • OnFinance – fintech platform for personal and SME finance
  • Vault Wealth – wealth management with AI insights
  • Cybrilla – cybersecurity solutions powered by AI

Three additional AI startups remain in stealth mode, keeping their innovative solutions under wraps.


Enterprise and Consumer Solutions

Beyond AI, several startups are building enterprise and consumer-focused solutions, spanning diverse sectors and industries:

  • AIR Trading – automated trading and financial tools
  • JustAI – conversational AI for businesses
  • Pre6 – workflow automation platform
  • Palo – enterprise SaaS solutions
  • Qbeast – analytics and data intelligence
  • Round1 – gamified customer engagement tools
  • SixSense – predictive insights for businesses
  • Thanks – employee engagement and recognition platform
  • Supanote – note-taking and productivity app
  • Tonbo.io – developer tools for software automation
  • Nirmata – cloud-native application management

On the consumer brand side, startups are delivering innovative products across fashion, wellness, and lifestyle:

  • Aretto – footwear brand
  • Neude Skin – skincare solutions
  • NEAU – apparel line
  • Ten X You – activewear brand

The Surge Perspective

AI is leading the charge, not just in enterprise applications but by beginning to transform traditional industries from banking and healthcare to semiconductors and manufacturing,” said Rajan Anandan, Managing Director at Peak XV and Surge.

He added: “We are also seeing the next wave of fintech companies and exciting new consumer companies in India and the region. This cohort truly offers a glimpse of the future.”

Anandan emphasized that the accelerator is focused on supporting startups with high potential to scale globally, while fostering innovation that can disrupt traditional industries.


Why This Cohort Matters

The 11th cohort reflects trends shaping India’s startup ecosystem:

  1. AI as a backbone of innovation – transforming enterprise, consumer, and sector-specific solutions.
  2. Fintech growth – catering to both individual consumers and small-to-medium enterprises.
  3. Emerging consumer brands – leveraging technology and design to capture attention in crowded markets.
  4. Developer tools and SaaS – enabling businesses to scale efficiently and optimize operations.

The mix of sectors ensures a diversified yet high-potential portfolio, with startups poised to attract further funding, strategic partnerships, and market traction.


Surge’s Impact and Strategy

Since spinning out from Sequoia Capital, Surge has focused on early-stage startups with strong founder teams and scalable solutions. By providing capital, mentorship, and market access, the accelerator has helped hundreds of startups grow across India and Southeast Asia.

The 11th cohort is particularly notable for its strong AI representation, reflecting a broader trend in the startup ecosystem where technology-driven solutions are disrupting traditional industries.

Startups like Vault Wealth and Cybrilla are prime examples of how AI is reshaping finance and cybersecurity, while consumer brands like Neude Skin and Ten X You show how technology can enhance product discovery, personalization, and engagement.


Looking Ahead

With the current batch, Surge is set to continue its mission of building globally competitive startups from India and the region. By supporting AI-driven innovations, fintech platforms, and emerging consumer brands, the accelerator is positioning its portfolio for long-term growth and market leadership.

For investors, industry leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs, the 11th cohort of Surge offers insights into the next wave of high-impact startups. The combination of technology, founder expertise, and market potential makes these 23 startups companies to watch in 2025 and beyond.



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