SoftBank and Prosus quietly shift India playbook to smaller AI bets

From huge late rounds to joint ventures and operators

India’s biggest startup investors, including SoftBank and Prosus, are recalibrating their India strategy. Instead of relying mainly on large late-stage funding, they’re moving toward tech infrastructure and commerce joint ventures. In today’s AI-led market, deals are getting smaller and less frequent, while investors are more willing to step in as active collaborators and operators.