What India’s OG VC Sees Next | Accel’s Subrata Mitra on AI, Funding and Deep tech

India’s venture capital market is entering a harder, more disciplined phase—and AI is rewriting the rules. Accel’s Subrata Mitra joins Anirban Chowdhury to explain why startup funding moves in cycles, why bigger funds do not necessarily produce better returns, and where Indian founders can realistically compete in the global AI race. Mitra examines the economics behind today’s enormous AI investments, India’s advantage in human-assisted AI services, and Accel’s growing interest in deeptech, spacetech and technology-led manufacturing. He also reflects on founder resilience, learning from failure and what it takes to identify companies capable of becoming breakout successes.