Aakrit Vaish built Haptik — India’s leading conversational AI platform — and sold it to Reliance Jio for $100 million in 2019. On September 16 2026, he emerged with a new chapter. Activate, his maiden AI venture capital fund, closed at $105 million to back AI startups in India. Follow every India VC story at BestStartup India.
Why Aakrit Vaish and Why Now
Vaish founded Haptik in 2013 and scaled it to India’s most important conversational AI company before the $100 million Reliance Jio exit. Post-acquisition he spent years inside Jio’s ecosystem understanding how India’s largest technology platform deploys AI at the scale of hundreds of millions of users. That combination — successful AI founder, post-exit operator at scale — is exactly what LPs back when they want a fund that will help AI founders rather than just write cheques. The $105 million close confirms their conviction.
Reliance Jio Partners With Canva — Free Pro for Millions of Indians
On the same day, Reliance Jio announced free Canva Pro access to subscribers on select recharge plans. Canva Pro normally costs Rs 3,999 per year in India. The partnership gives tens of millions of Indian creators, designers, and small business owners professional design tools at no additional cost. For Canva it is the most cost-effective distribution play imaginable. For Jio it adds a premium tool that increases recharge plan value and reduces churn. Follow India startup news at BestStartup India.
India AI VC in 2026 — $16.3 Billion and Rising
Indian startups raised $16.3 billion across 1,450 equity rounds in 2026 through September — a 6.89 percent increase over 2025. India has 94 unicorns as of September 2026. Also read: Lam Research commits Rs 10,000 crore to India silicon manufacturing. Follow every India VC and startup story at BestStartup India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Activate and who is Aakrit Vaish?
Activate is a $105 million maiden AI venture fund by Aakrit Vaish — founder of Haptik, sold to Reliance Jio in 2019 for $100 million. The fund backs AI startups in India.
What is the Jio Canva partnership?
Reliance Jio offers free Canva Pro on select recharge plans from September 16 2026 — giving millions of Indian users professional design tools worth Rs 3,999 per year at no extra cost.
Where can I follow India AI news?
Follow every India startup funding and VC story at BestStartup India.
