Key Takeaways
- • Indian Startup Times published its DeepTech Analyst Power List 2026, recognising investment analysts and professionals working on early-stage and DeepTech investing in India.
- • Listed analysts span venture capital, growth equity and impact-investing firms, including A91 Partners, GSF, Aavishkaar Capital, Aum Ventures, Theia Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, growX Ventures and Unity Growth Fund.
- • Focus sectors cited include artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, climate technology, SaaS, fintech and hardware-driven B2B solutions.
- • Profiles highlight backgrounds from consulting firms such as Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company and Kearney, and from banks including JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank.
Summary
Indian Startup Times has released its DeepTech Analyst Power List 2026, a ranking of analysts and investment professionals contributing to India's expanding DeepTech ecosystem. According to the publication, the ecosystem is growing rapidly across artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and climate technology, with rising investment and attention as these technologies move toward real-world applications.
The list profiles analysts at a range of venture and growth investors. Aakash Shankar joined A91 Partners in 2024 as an Investment Analyst after roles at Boston Consulting Group and DSG Consumer Partners, with earlier experience at JPMorgan Chase and William O'Neil India. Afreed Faizan is an Investment Analyst at Exfinity Venture Partners, focused on enterprise technology, SaaS and artificial intelligence, and previously worked as a Research Engineer at the Indian Institute of Science. Alankrita Vaid at Theia Ventures, an early-stage firm focused on frontier technologies, previously spent about 2.5 years at McKinsey & Company and has cleared all three CFA levels.
Other profiles cover impact and sustainability-focused investing. Abhinav Priyam is associated with Aavishkaar Capital and contributed to the Aavishkaar Group Impact Report 2025. Avisha Bhandari works at Asha Ventures, an inclusion- and sustainability-focused investor. Archit Bhargava, Senior Investment Analyst at Avaana Capital, which invests in climate, DeepTech and technology-driven businesses, previously worked at Kearney.
The list also features analysts working on hardware and AI. Anshuman Komirishetty at Unity Growth Fund covers AI and hardware, with exposure to AI agents and robotics. Anirav Godhwani at growX Ventures works with seed-stage B2B DeepTech companies building intellectual-property-led and hardware-driven solutions. Ayush Shukla at IIMA Ventures focuses on DeepTech in the seed and acceleration team.
The publication's profiles emphasise academic and professional credentials, including degrees from IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani and Nanyang Technological University, as well as CFA and FRM qualifications where held. The list is presented as recognition of professionals whose research and startup evaluation work shapes the next generation of technology-driven companies in India.
The list profiles analysts at a range of venture and growth investors. Aakash Shankar joined A91 Partners in 2024 as an Investment Analyst after roles at Boston Consulting Group and DSG Consumer Partners, with earlier experience at JPMorgan Chase and William O'Neil India. Afreed Faizan is an Investment Analyst at Exfinity Venture Partners, focused on enterprise technology, SaaS and artificial intelligence, and previously worked as a Research Engineer at the Indian Institute of Science. Alankrita Vaid at Theia Ventures, an early-stage firm focused on frontier technologies, previously spent about 2.5 years at McKinsey & Company and has cleared all three CFA levels.
Other profiles cover impact and sustainability-focused investing. Abhinav Priyam is associated with Aavishkaar Capital and contributed to the Aavishkaar Group Impact Report 2025. Avisha Bhandari works at Asha Ventures, an inclusion- and sustainability-focused investor. Archit Bhargava, Senior Investment Analyst at Avaana Capital, which invests in climate, DeepTech and technology-driven businesses, previously worked at Kearney.
The list also features analysts working on hardware and AI. Anshuman Komirishetty at Unity Growth Fund covers AI and hardware, with exposure to AI agents and robotics. Anirav Godhwani at growX Ventures works with seed-stage B2B DeepTech companies building intellectual-property-led and hardware-driven solutions. Ayush Shukla at IIMA Ventures focuses on DeepTech in the seed and acceleration team.
The publication's profiles emphasise academic and professional credentials, including degrees from IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani and Nanyang Technological University, as well as CFA and FRM qualifications where held. The list is presented as recognition of professionals whose research and startup evaluation work shapes the next generation of technology-driven companies in India.
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