Cloud spending in India grew by nearly 22% in 2022, says Bessemer Venture Partners

• Cloud-based companies operating in the Indian market are pursuing a multi-product approach.
  
• Previously, Indian start-up founders had to move to the United States to sell their products, but the pandemic has enabled Indian companies to sell remotely to both domestic and foreign customers.
  
• Of the 2,364 startups funded in India in 2022, 469 were cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies.

As much as 4.7% of all the VC dollars that went into cloud-based companies in 2022 — flowed into India. Also, 2,364 startups were funded in India during the year, and 469 of them were in the cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies, said a report by Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP).

“Cloud spending in India grew nearly 22% last year, putting it nearly in line with the entire continent of Europe. Importantly, India’s growth in public cloud services spending vastly outpaces its overall growth in IT spending (2%), more so than for other geographic regions,” the report said.

India currently has eleven Cloud and SaaS companies that are considered centaurs (a business that reaches $100 million of annual recurring revenue), which includes three companies that achieved centaur status last year.

Indian startups early adopters of multi-product strategy

According to the report, cloud-based companies operating in the Indian market are pursuing a multi-product approach. Vertical SaaS firms are developing additional products that cover different stages of the customer journey, while horizontal SaaS companies are diversifying into other business segments that are related to their core offerings.

The fact that the Indian cloud market is able to develop multi-product solutions rapidly is a testament to the country's skilled developer workforce and its customer base for SaaS products. Previously, Indian start-up founders had to move to the United States to sell their products, but the pandemic has enabled Indian companies to sell remotely to both domestic and foreign customers.

Indian SaaS companies are using AI to productise services

The report finds that the Indian cloud market is also leveraging the potential of AI. “In particular, Indian SaaS companies are leveraging AI to help productise services,” says Anant Vidur Puri, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.

Notably, leading cloud companies are incorporating Language and Learning Models (LLMs) in conjunction with human resources. For example, Entropik uses facial expressions and tone of voice analysis to generate user research with emotional intelligence, while Leena AI assists HR teams in creating customised virtual assistants for their respective company's needs and culture, the report said.

Indian startups are also leveraging the cloud to offer services and utilise LLMs to enhance accuracy and quality. For example, Pepper Content assists content creators in improving their work and has integrated AI into its quality assurance process, which is later reviewed by employees.

Similarly, Perfios helps underwriters analyse credit profiles by using AI to gather and analyse data from various databases, providing lenders with a more complete view of creditworthiness compared to traditional banking methods. In India, AI is being used to improve job performance rather than replace humans.

Last year, venture capital investors invested $53 billion in cloud companies outside the US and Canada, accounting for 42% of global cloud VC investment. Additionally, cloud and SaaS deals made up almost a quarter of all venture-backed startups worldwide.

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