Rikant Pittie, cofounder of EaseMyTrip, is rewriting the rulebook on startup support. With the launch of his AI-focused venture studio, he isn’t looking to just invest he’s stepping in to co-build.
The model is simple, but ambitious: 10 startups solving real-world problems, driven by clarity, conviction, and global ambition. No pitch decks. No traditional applications. Just a founder and their story.
A Studio That Skips the Noise
Over the years, Pittie says he’s been approached by dozens of passionate founders with powerful ideas yet most lacked the right support system. The venture studio model, popular in global innovation hubs, offers a new path: combining capital, shared resources, and operational expertise under one roof.
His move marks a shift in how startup backing is structured in India. No VC theatrics. Just focused co-building.
“What if I didn’t just invest, but built alongside them?” Pittie writes in his announcement. “This isn’t about pitch decks. It’s about reimagining what support for Indian founders should look like.”
AI at the Core, Impact as the Outcome
The studio will back ventures across sectors like mobility, defence, entertainment, fintech, agri-tech, edtech, and healthcare with artificial intelligence as the core enabler. The goal? Help these startups scale not just across India, but globally.
Each selected startup will get more than just money: access to deep domain guidance, hands-on leadership, and real infrastructure.
Pittie’s own journey from bootstrapping EaseMyTrip to public listing lends weight. The company, now one of India’s top travel platforms, has consistently scaled without chasing valuation hype.
Building Outside the VC Mold
This isn’t a venture capital fund. It’s a commitment to the execution layer where most early-stage founders struggle. Pittie is betting on founder grit over presentations, impact over impressions.
Founders can reach out directly via social platforms no warm intros, no gated processes.
Why This Matters
India’s startup ecosystem is vast but fragmented. While capital has increased, real hands-on support remains rare. Pittie’s approach signals a new phase: where seasoned operators don’t just cheer from the sidelines they get back on the field.
And in doing so, they may just help build the next wave of globally relevant Indian brands.
