Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath and WTFund are betting on startups with a mission: From stopping scams to diagnosing autism and preventing bike crashes

India’s startup ecosystem is undergoing a remarkable transformation, evolving into a hub of meaningful innovation that directly impacts millions. No longer confined to abstract solutions, today’s entrepreneurs are harnessing technology to tackle real-world challenges in areas such as financial fraud, paediatric healthcare, and road safety. This shift was evident in a recent episode of Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s WTFund podcast, where he spotlighted some of the most inspiring ventures driving this change.

One such startup making waves is Modus AI, which is addressing the persistent threat of financial fraud in India’s rapidly expanding fintech landscape. Leveraging advanced generative AI, Modus AI has developed a sophisticated fraud detection system that automates the identification of red flags for banks and payment aggregators. In an era where scams involving mule accounts, fraudulent merchant setups, and fake transactions have become increasingly rampant, the company’s innovative approach is redefining financial security. With pilots already in place with financial institutions and discussions underway with major e-commerce players to curb return scams, Modus AI is pioneering a real-time, lifetime monitoring system that builds graph infrastructure to track and identify fraudulent linkages—an entirely novel concept in the Indian market.

In the domain of paediatric healthcare, AI.gnosis is revolutionising early childhood development diagnostics through artificial intelligence. Conditions such as autism and other neurodivergent tendencies often go unnoticed in their early stages, leading to missed opportunities for timely intervention. AI.gnosis is changing that narrative with a groundbreaking five-minute AI-powered tool that analyses biomarkers like eye movements and facial expressions to generate a developmental harmony score. Deployed in preschools and paediatric clinics, this tool enables early detection of neurodivergent behaviour, offering a scalable and accessible solution for parents and healthcare providers. With autism rates climbing post-COVID, AI.gnosis is positioning itself as a leader in paediatric healthcare innovation, seeking institutional partners to expand its impact and set new benchmarks in developmental assessments.

Road safety is another critical issue in India, where two-wheelers account for over 60% of traffic accidents. BYTES is stepping up to address this crisis by making Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology accessible to motorbike users. Traditionally limited to high-end cars, these safety features—such as collision alerts and skid control—are now being tailored for two-wheelers at an affordable price point. The company has already initiated pilot projects with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Hero and Honda, working to integrate its technology into mainstream vehicle manufacturing. To accelerate its mission, BYTES is raising $500,000 in pre-seed funding, with half already committed, as it prepares to expand its pilots and explore markets like Indonesia, where similar road safety challenges persist.

Kamath’s WTFund podcast continues to serve as a platform for purpose-driven innovation, shedding light on startups like Modus AI, AI.gnosis, and BYTES—ventures that exemplify how technology can be leveraged to tackle pressing societal issues. From combating financial fraud to enhancing paediatric healthcare and improving road safety, these startups are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape.

India’s startup ecosystem is not just growing—it is thriving with impact. As the world’s third-largest startup hub, boasting over 100 unicorns and a rapidly expanding investor base, the country is fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs who are creating innovative solutions for both global and local challenges.

As Kamath aptly put it, “Our job as innovators is not just to put money into ventures but to see the future with them.” With visionary startups leading the charge, India’s entrepreneurial landscape is shaping a future defined by ingenuity, social impact, and technological progress. And Kamath's WTFund is ensuring it remains a critical part of that journey.