The debate around free Proof of Concepts (PoCs) for Indian AI startups is heating up, with some founders calling them a drain on resources and sparking the “Skip India Movement.” Recent insights from Analytics India Mag highlight frustrations—startups like Lossfunk and ToolJet are ghosted after delivering detailed PoCs, pushing many to focus on markets like the US where clients pay upfront. I get it—endless free work can be exhausting, and founders like Vaibhav Domkundwar and Paras Chopra make a strong case for skipping India.

The debate around free Proof of Concepts (PoCs) for Indian AI startups is heating up, with some founders calling them a drain on resources and sparking the “Skip India Movement.” Recent insights from Analytics India Mag highlight frustrations—startups like Lossfunk and ToolJet are ghosted after delivering detailed PoCs, pushing many to focus on markets like the US where clients pay upfront. I get it—endless free work can be exhausting, and founders like Vaibhav Domkundwar and Paras Chopra make a strong case for skipping India.

But here’s where I disagree: Free PoCs, when managed strategically, can be a game-changer for startups. They’re a chance to validate your product, build credibility, and attract investors—crucial steps in a market where 90% of startups fail globally. The key is smart execution: set clear scopes, limit timelines, be selective with clients, and use successes as case studies to land paid deals. Even charging for advanced features can shift the dynamic.

Indian enterprises may lean on free PoCs, but they also need world-class AI solutions to compete globally. With the right approach, startups can turn these opportunities into long-term partnerships rather than dead ends. Aakrit Vaish of Haptik echoes this—India’s market has a $50-75M ARR potential for B2B AI companies in 5-7 years if founders dive deep into local challenges.

What’s your take? Have you turned free PoCs into wins for your startup? Share your strategies below—I’d love to spark a conversation on making this work for India’s AI ecosystem!
AIStartups IndiaTech VentureCapital StartupStrategy Innovation

This post was originally shared by on Linkedin.