Binny Bansal Ventures Into AI: Aiming to Challenge TCS and Infosys Dominance
Binny Bansal, co-founder of the e-commerce giant Flipkart, is gearing up to launch a new AI startup that aims to compete with established players like TCS and Infosys. After successfully co-founding Flipkart and selling it to Walmart, Bansal has reportedly assembled a team of 15 experts, predominantly comprised of AI scientists, for his upcoming venture. The plan is to rapidly expand this team, focusing on providing AI expertise, products, and services to corporate clients—a model reminiscent of outsourcing giants TCS and Infosys.
The startup’s main operational center will be based in Bengaluru, with its headquarters situated in
Singapore. There are also intentions to extend its reach to the United States. Binny Bansal, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, initially entered the e-commerce arena in 2007 alongside childhood friend Sachin Bansal. From a modest beginning selling books online from a two-bedroom apartment in Bangalore, Flipkart grew under Binny’s leadership, diversifying into electronics, fashion, and mobiles. The acquisition of Myntra in 2014 was a pivotal moment for Flipkart, solidifying its position in the fashion e-commerce sector. Despite facing challenges such as tough competition and regulatory hurdles, Flipkart achieved a significant milestone in 2018 when Walmart acquired a majority stake.
Since his departure from Flipkart in 2018, Binny Bansal has been actively investing in startups, contributing significantly to ventures like PhonePe and Curefoods. Recently, he invested $25-30 million in Curefoods, a cloud kitchens and dining establishments venture led by his former associate Ankit Nagori. Now, Binny Bansal is set to make his mark in the AI sector with his new startup, focusing on AI-as-a-service for a global clientele.
