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Paytm’s Sharma Offers Personal Funding to Indian AI Builders
Vijay Shekhar Sharma leads Paytm, a technology company in India.
At an AI conference in Bengaluru, he spoke to people who want to build AI models in India.
He offered to invest his own money in their ideas.
He said the amount could be between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2 crore.
He also invited founders to join Paytm or start their own companies.
Sharma cannot use Paytm’s money for this because it is a listed company.
But he said builders could use Paytm’s network to reach customers.
He hopes India will become ambitious in AI, as it has been in payments.
Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma offered personal funding to Indian entrepreneurs building their own AI models.
Speaking at Cypher 2026 in Bengaluru, he said he would write cheques of Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.
Sharma told founders they could join Paytm or build independently with his financial backing.
He said Paytm’s listed-company status prevents him from committing company funds to these ventures.
Sharma also offered access to Paytm’s distribution network and said he wants India to show similar ambition in AI as it has in payments.
- Who
- Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Indian entrepreneurs building AI models.
- What
- Sharma offered personal cheques of Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore and access to Paytm’s distribution network.
- Where
- Cypher 2026 in Bengaluru, India.
- When
- This week, at Cypher 2026; no date is specified.
- Why
- Sharma wants to encourage Indian entrepreneurs to build their own AI models and pursue greater ambition in AI.
Build homegrown AI models
Build on existing models
Strategic direction for Indian AI startups
Build homegrown AI models
Sharma’s offer backs entrepreneurs willing to build their own AI models.
Build on existing models
The article says the startup ecosystem has debated whether to build original models or build on top of others’ models; it does not identify a specific advocate or detailed argument for this approach.
Key facts
- Investor
- Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm founder and CEO
- Proposed investment
- Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore per cheque
- Funding source
- Sharma’s personal money, not Paytm funds
- Company constraint
- Sharma said Paytm’s listed status means he cannot commit its funds to these bets.
- Additional offer
- Access to Paytm’s distribution network
- Event
- Cypher 2026, an AI conference
- Location
- Bengaluru
Quotes
Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Paytm founder and CEO
“Either come over, join us, or build your own and take money from me.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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