When 15 of India’s top startup founders landed in New York earlier this September for the Startup Policy Forum’s (SPF) first-ever “Startup Safari,” it wasn’t a sightseeing trip—it was a deep dive into the heart of global innovation. Over three and a half packed days across New York and San Francisco, they met top venture capitalists, global institutions, and AI pioneers, exploring how Indian startups could grow beyond borders.

For Shweta Rajpal Kohli, president and CEO of Startup Policy Forum, the idea was simple but timely: “We are in an unprecedented moment in history; technology and geopolitics are shifting fast. If our founders don’t step out of their echo chambers to see what’s happening globally, it’ll be hard to keep pace,” she said.

SPF, launched just 10 months ago, has already gathered more than 60 members representing close to $90 billion in valuation—from Pine Labs and CRED to Razorpay, Physics Wallah, Swiggy, Zerodha, Acko, Ather Energy, and Groww. The forum works on three fronts—policy advocacy, community building, and global engagement—and Startup Safari fits squarely in the last two.

Immersion and connection

Kohli calls it an “immersion into the AI, VC, and global finance ecosystem.” Across 16 meetings in just three and a half days, the delegation met institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, World Economic Forum, and the UN Office of Emerging and Digital Technologies. Indian founders presented case studies demonstrating how AI adoption in India is unfolding at scale. “It was valuable both ways, for our members to present at an institution like the UN, and for global policymakers to see the depth of AI work happening in India,” Kohli said.

“Presenting Scaler’s AI learning use case at the UN Headquarters was a defining moment. Startup Safari gave us direct exposure to global tech and VC leaders and helped us understand how they view the India opportunity,” said Anshuman Singh, Founder, Scaler.

San Francisco was the other half of the journey, a whirlwind of demos, dialogues, and high-energy exchanges with top tech firms. Founders got a first-hand look at AI applications being built at companies like Groq and Repl.it. “Technology is changing so fast that to sit across from global leaders and see the latest tools in action gave our founders an invaluable edge,” Kohli said.

The founders spent time at some of the world’s most influential AI labs—OpenAI, NVIDIA, Groq, and Replit—getting an inside look at how the next wave of AI is being built. 

For Dhruvil Sanghvi, founder & CEO of LogiNext, the trip was more than a learning experience. “Even as a founder based in the U.S., this programme was invaluable. The access to top AI innovators, policymakers and fellow Indian founders provided fresh perspectives and partnership opportunities. SPF has built a phenomenal bridge between India’s startup ecosystem and the world.”

A two-way street

SPF’s Startup Safari wasn’t only about taking India to the world; it was also about bringing the world closer to India. “We’re already seeing global institutions approach us, wanting to tap into the Indian market,” Kohli said. “It’s a two-way street, opening doors both ways.”

The delegation met investors from Khosla Ventures, Lightspeed, Bain Capital Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures—all of whom, Kohli said, remain deeply bullish on India’s startup potential. “Each of them was India-focussed and excited about what’s being built here. Yes, there’s a sense that India needs to accelerate on AI innovation, but the broader India story continues to energize global VCs.”

Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures and one of the most influential investors from the Valley, was candid in his discussion with the forum about AI’s disruptive impact on India, warning that as much as 80% of jobs in sectors like BPOs could be transformed by automation. But he also noted that India’s scale and adaptability position it well to take advantage of the shift.

For many founders, the trip served as both a classroom and a launchpad.

“The AI Immersion Tour at Startup Safari was eye-opening—it offered a front-row view of how AI is reshaping global healthcare,” said Shashank ND, founder & CEO of Practo. “The SPF team also connected us with industry leaders and the Indian Consulate, which has been instrumental in Practo’s U.S. expansion. This wasn’t just a visit; it was a launchpad for our next phase of growth.”

For others, it was about perspective and connection. “For an early-stage founder, SPF’s Startup Safari was transformative,” said Mira Jhala, founder of Frogo. “From VC interactions to AI-focused immersions, every conversation sparked new ideas and connections I continue to build on. It gave me such great insights into the future of online commerce.”

Kohli said that kind of feedback captures the larger purpose of the programme which was immersive learning for some, and expansion-ready networking for others. “There were founders who joined purely for exposure and global awareness, and others who returned with tangible partnerships. We wanted it to serve both purposes,” she said.

Beyond Borders

The Startup Safari model, according to Kohli, is already seeing strong demand for expansion. “Many of our members who missed the first trip have been asking when the next one is. We’re planning more delegations in other countries,” she said.

SPF also facilitated sessions with Covington, a leading law firm, to help founders understand U.S. regulatory frameworks and compliance processes - part of what Kohli calls “the missing link” in India’s global startup journey. “Sometimes the challenge isn’t capability, it’s access to networks and local know-how,” she explained.

The tour also underscored the growing role of India’s consulates in supporting entrepreneurship abroad. “Both in New York and San Francisco, the Indian missions hosted us and helped open critical doors. That kind of institutional support is a game-changer,” Kohli said.

In less than a year, SPF has moved from an advocacy platform to a global bridge-builder for Indian startups. What began as an experiment in connecting ecosystems has quickly evolved into a structured, high-impact initiative.

“The key takeaway,” Kohli summed up, “is that the world is changing faster than we can keep pace. If Indian startups want to stay ahead, they must engage with global ecosystems. Learning, adapting, and expanding globally isn’t optional anymore, it’s essential.”