Operant AI, a Silicon Valley-based deep-tech AI cybersecurity startup, has launched its operations in India to provide real-time security solutions for the country’s rapidly growing AI sector.
The company’s expansion is driven by the increasing demand for robust security measures in industries like fintech, healthcare, and enterprise software. Having secured $13.5 million in Series A funding from venture capital firms Felicis and Sinewave, the startup has made a strategic entry into India.
Operant AI founders Ashley Roof, Vrajesh Bhavsar and Priyanka Tembey aim to address the urgent need for AI security in India.
“As Indian businesses scale their AI capabilities, security becomes a critical concern. We see a strong demand for real-time security solutions that protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with evolving regulations,” Bhavsar, co-founder and CEO, told AIM.
The startup is expanding on key technology and financial hubs in India, including Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR.
Bhavsar said that “these cities are strategic markets due to their strong ecosystems for fintech, BFSI, SaaS, and government-backed AI initiatives.”
The co-founder also expressed the company’s plans to invest heavily in local partnerships with banks, financial institutions, and AI-driven enterprises. Given the country’s focus on regulatory compliance, the startup aims to work closely with organisations to help them navigate AI security frameworks and ensure data protection.
Operant AI’s 3D Runtime Defense Platform offers critical cybersecurity capabilities to protect modern Indian software innovation and AI from attacks such as prompt injection, rogue agents, data poisoning, and data exfiltration.
The platform’s in-line auto-redaction capabilities ensure that sensitive data is automatically redacted before leaving a company’s environment, addressing privacy concerns in industries like BFSI and FinTech.
Operant AI is actively tapping into India’s talent pool by hiring experts in AI security, cloud infrastructure, and real-time defence solutions. “For go-to-market roles, we are expanding our sales, partnerships, and customer success teams to drive enterprise adoption in India,” added Bhavsar.
The startup also aims to align with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by providing AI-native security solutions that allow Indian enterprises to scale AI applications securely.
As India accelerates AI adoption across industries, security must be built into the foundation. The startup aims to contribute to India’s leadership in secure AI development and ensure that Indian enterprises remain globally competitive.
