Forbes has unveiled its 2026 "30 Under 30" list for Artificial Intelligence, and several founders of Indian origin are prominently featured, demonstrating their significant impact on the tech industry. These young innovators are not only shaping the future of AI but also showcasing the global influence of Indian talent in technology.
Here are some of the Indian-origin leaders who have secured a spot on Forbes' coveted list:
- Adit Abraham and Raunak Chowdhuri (Reducto): Co-founders Adit Abraham and Raunak Chowdhuri, both MIT graduates, are the brains behind Reducto, an AI platform designed to extract and interpret data from unstructured documents. Inspired by a spell from Harry Potter, their company has processed over 250 million pages for clients like Scale AI, Vanta, and Airtable. With over $100 million in funding and a valuation of $600 million as of October, Reducto is making waves in the AI space.
- Advith Chelikani (Pylon): Advith Chelikani co-founded Pylon with Robert Eng and Marty Kausas, to assist B2B teams in managing customer issues across various platforms, including Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, and in-app chat. Pylon has attracted over 750 B2B customers, including ElevenLabs, Together.ai, and Linear.
- Karun Kaushik (Delve): Karun Kaushik launched Delve with co-founder Selin Kocalar from their MIT dorm room. Initially conceived as a medical scribe, Delve pivoted to automating compliance processes, utilizing AI to meet security standards such as SOC 2 and HIPAA. Delve boasts over 500 client companies, including AI coding platform Lovable, and recently closed a $32 million funding round led by Insight Partners, valuing the company at $300 million.
- Samir Dutta and Kunal Tangri (Farsight): Samir Dutta and Kunal Tangri, also MIT computer science graduates, along with co-founder Noah Faro, are developing AI agents at Farsight. These AI agents are designed to generate Excel models, pitch decks, and research memos in formats commonly used by consultants and investment bankers.
These Indian-origin founders are revolutionizing various aspects of the AI landscape, from data interpretation and customer service to compliance automation and content generation. Their inclusion in the Forbes "30 Under 30" list highlights their remarkable achievements and underscores the significant role they play in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Other Indian-origin individuals are making significant strides in AI:
- Surya Madha and Adarsh Shahmat: Founders of Maror, an AI-powered hiring platform that has raised $32 million and is valued at $250 million.
- Nikhil Cheerla: Co-founder of Nooks, an AI sales automation tool with $70 million in funding.
- Nishchal Nadhamuni: Leading Clarity, a company using AI to automate document and data review, with clients like OpenAI and Zoom.
- Sneha Revanur: Founded Encode Justice, advocating for safe and ethical AI.
- Anand Kapania: Making waves with Patronus AI, tackling AI safety challenges.
- Arjun Desai: Co-founder of Cartesia, working on AI that functions without an internet connection.
These innovators are not only creating successful companies but are also contributing to crucial conversations about responsible AI use and its impact on society. Their work spans various domains, reflecting the diverse applications and potential of AI technology.
