Peak XV Partners, one of the leading venture capital firms in the startup ecosystem, has announced the launch of its 10th cohort for the accelerator programme, Surge. The programme, which has a strong track record of nurturing early-stage startups, focuses on high-growth sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, consumer, and healthcare. The latest cohort reflects a diverse array of startups from across the globe, signaling the programme’s expanded geographical reach.
This article takes a deep dive into the Surge 10 programme, the startups involved, and the significance of Peak XV’s ongoing investment in global innovation.
Surge’s Growing Influence
Since its inception in 2019, Surge has quickly established itself as one of the premier startup accelerators in the world. The programme has built a robust community, comprising more than 350 founders and over 150 startups across 17 distinct sectors. Notably, startups that have graduated from Surge have collectively raised over $2 billion in follow-on funding, showcasing the accelerator’s ability to foster high-potential companies.
Peak XV has played an instrumental role in shaping the trajectory of some of the most successful startups to emerge from Surge. Atlan, Scaler, Skillmatics, InVideo, Khatabook, Multiplier, The Minimalist, and Lambda Test are just a few standout alumni from previous cohorts. These companies have not only demonstrated exceptional growth but have also contributed to their respective industries in meaningful ways.
Surge 10: The Latest Cohort
The announcement of Surge 10 introduces 14 new startups that will participate in this rigorous accelerator programme, which runs from October 2024 to February 2025. The programme is designed to provide an all-encompassing experience for the founders, ranging from product and sales refinement to branding and market strategies. Notably, Surge 10 has a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, a theme that resonates with global trends in technology and business innovation.
Global Representation
One of the standout features of Surge 10 is its geographical diversity. This year’s cohort includes startups from eight different countries, including India, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, China, the UAE, the UK, and the US. This global representation highlights Peak XV’s commitment to supporting innovation beyond traditional boundaries and reflects the growing importance of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as emerging hubs for technological innovation.
For the first time, a startup from the Middle East, Amaani, has been admitted into Surge, marking a significant milestone for the programme’s regional expansion. This is a notable achievement for Peak XV, as the Middle East has increasingly become a critical player in the global startup ecosystem, driven by advancements in AI, fintech, and digital infrastructure.
Spotlight on Startups
Each of the 14 startups in Surge 10 brings something unique to the table, ranging from groundbreaking AI technologies to innovative healthcare solutions. Here’s a closer look at some of the companies that have made it to this cohort.
Amaani (Middle East)
Amaani is an innovative startup from the Middle East, focusing on leveraging AI for consumer applications. Its inclusion in Surge 10 signals the programme’s first foray into the region, marking a significant expansion into new geographical territories. Amaani’s technology is expected to have a transformative impact on consumer-facing industries, offering AI-driven solutions that could reshape the way businesses interact with customers.
Ambak (Australia)
Ambak is a startup from Australia that focuses on sustainability and environmental technology. The company aims to introduce cutting-edge innovations that help businesses achieve their sustainability goals through AI-powered analytics and automation. In a world where sustainability is increasingly important, Ambak’s solutions are likely to gain traction, particularly in industries looking to reduce their carbon footprint and improve resource efficiency.
Auquan (India)
Auquan, hailing from India, operates in the fintech space with a strong focus on AI-driven financial analytics. The company’s platform leverages machine learning to provide predictive insights for the stock market and other financial assets. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into fintech, companies like Auquan are well-positioned to revolutionize how financial institutions make data-driven decisions.
Brainfish (Singapore)
Brainfish, based in Singapore, is a healthcare startup that leverages AI for early diagnosis of neurological disorders. The company’s AI-powered platform analyzes brain scans to detect early signs of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By focusing on early detection, Brainfish is addressing a critical gap in the healthcare industry, particularly in the area of preventive care.
Clout Kitchen (Philippines)
Clout Kitchen is an innovative startup from the Philippines, focused on transforming the food delivery landscape. The company uses AI to optimize delivery routes and predict customer preferences, reducing operational costs for restaurants while enhancing the customer experience. Clout Kitchen’s solutions could significantly impact the rapidly growing food delivery industry in Southeast Asia.
Dezy (India)
Dezy, another entrant from India, operates in the healthcare sector, focusing on dental care. The company’s platform uses AI to provide virtual consultations and personalized treatment plans, making dental care more accessible to a broader population. Dezy’s approach aligns with the growing trend of telemedicine, which has gained significant traction in the post-pandemic world.
Dubbing AI (China)
Dubbing AI, a Chinese startup, offers AI-powered solutions for content localization, particularly for video content. With the rise of global media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, there is a growing demand for multilingual content. Dubbing AI’s platform automates the dubbing process, making it faster and more cost-effective for content creators to reach international audiences.
OrbitShift (UAE)
OrbitShift, based in the UAE, is another key player in the AI space. The company offers enterprise solutions that help businesses automate their operations and improve efficiency. OrbitShift’s platform is particularly geared towards industries like manufacturing and logistics, where automation can lead to significant cost savings and productivity gains.
Parseable (Australia)
Parseable, a startup from Australia, focuses on AI-powered data parsing solutions for businesses. The company’s platform helps organizations sift through large datasets to extract actionable insights, which can improve decision-making processes. Parseable’s technology is likely to be particularly useful in industries such as finance, healthcare, and marketing, where data plays a crucial role in shaping business strategies.
SalarySe (India)
SalarySe is an Indian fintech startup that aims to revolutionize how employees receive their salaries. The company’s platform allows workers to access their earned wages in real-time, providing financial flexibility and reducing the reliance on payday loans. This innovative approach to salary disbursement could have a transformative impact on the financial wellness of employees, particularly in developing economies.
Tailcall (UK)
Tailcall, based in the UK, operates in the AI and automation space. The company’s platform automates customer service processes, helping businesses reduce response times and improve customer satisfaction. By leveraging AI for customer interactions, Tailcall is addressing a critical need for businesses to streamline operations in an increasingly digital world.
The Health Factory (India)
The Health Factory, an Indian startup, focuses on providing personalized nutrition through AI-powered recommendations. The company’s platform analyzes individual health data to offer customized meal plans, helping users achieve their wellness goals. As personalized healthcare continues to gain popularity, The Health Factory is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing trend.
Wobot (India)
Wobot is an AI-driven platform from India that specializes in video analytics for security and operational efficiency. The platform uses AI to analyze video footage in real-time, identifying potential threats and operational inefficiencies. Wobot’s technology is particularly useful for industries such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, where security and efficiency are critical concerns.
Stealth Healthcare Startup
A stealth startup operating in the specialty healthcare space has also joined Surge 10. While details about this company remain undisclosed, its inclusion in the cohort indicates that it is likely working on cutting-edge solutions that could address critical challenges in the healthcare industry.
Surge 10 Programme Structure
The Surge 10 programme runs for five months, from October 2024 to February 2025. It includes a blend of in-person and online sessions designed to help founders refine their products, improve their go-to-market strategies, and enhance their branding efforts. The programme places a strong emphasis on founder development, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to scale their businesses successfully.
A key highlight of the programme is the immersion experience in the U.S., where founders will get a first-hand look at the Silicon Valley ecosystem. This includes visits to the campuses of OpenAI and Notion in February 2025, providing valuable exposure to some of the most innovative companies in the tech industry.
The previous cohort, Surge 09, visited the NVIDIA campus earlier this year and had the opportunity to meet the company’s founder and CEO, Jensen Huang. This kind of exposure is invaluable for founders, offering them insights into the operations and strategies of global tech giants.
Impact of the Surge Programme
Surge has become a critical platform for startups looking to scale quickly and efficiently. Over the past five years, the programme has helped startups across various sectors raise more than $2 billion in follow-on funding. This includes standout companies like Atlan, Scaler, Skillmatics, and Khatabook, which have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields.
The success of Surge alumni underscores the programme’s ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups. By providing founders with access to world-class mentors, resources, and networks, Surge sets them up for long-term success.
Conclusion
The 10th cohort of Surge is a testament to the programme’s growing influence and commitment to fostering global innovation. With a strong focus on AI, fintech, consumer, and healthcare startups, Surge 10 is poised to produce the next wave of high-growth companies that will shape the future of these industries.