Overview:
- India is becoming a global hub for AI fintech innovation, attracting major investments from SC Ventures.
- SC Ventures is leveraging India’s talent and startup ecosystem to build next-gen financial technologies.
- AI, blockchain, and quantum computing are central to SC Ventures’ strategy for transforming financial services.
- Strategic partnerships in India include ventures with Kiya.ai and a B2B SME marketplace.
- SC Ventures sees India as the ideal market for scalable fintech use cases and global tech collaboration.
India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for AI and fintech innovation, according to Apurv Suri, Head of Client Engagement and Partnership Lead at Standard Chartered (SC) Ventures. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, Suri highlighted India’s unmatched pace of technological advancement and its strategic importance in shaping the future of financial services.
India’s Innovation Ecosystem Gains Global Attention
SC Ventures is actively investing in India’s fintech and AI ecosystem, citing the country’s vast talent pool and diverse market as key drivers. “India is a gold mine of startups and talent, all with global ambitions,” said Suri. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is not just transforming traditional banking but is also disrupting fintech itself.
“AI will continue to disrupt fintechs and other sectors, but it will also give rise to a new ecosystem of startups,” Suri noted. He pointed to the emergence of agentic AI—autonomous systems capable of decision-making—as a catalyst for a new generation of innovation.
Blockchain and Quantum Computing Expand India’s Tech Frontiers
Beyond AI, SC Ventures is exploring blockchain and quantum computing to enhance financial services. Suri stressed that blockchain’s value lies in its utility rather than its tokens. “India provides scale, opportunity, and a plethora of use cases that only blockchain can solve,” he said.
SC Ventures recently launched a joint venture with Fujitsu in the UK to explore quantum computing’s role in strengthening AI and fintech solutions. Suri confirmed that Indian talent will be central to these global efforts: “India is the best market for us to go after when it comes to use cases.”
Strategic Partnerships and Local Collaborations
SC Ventures has already initiated several ventures in India, including a B2B SME marketplace and a partnership with Kiya.ai to develop immersive digital experiences. The firm is now seeking more strategic partnerships and investments in the region.
Harald Eltvedt, Operating Member at SC Ventures, reinforced this commitment: “India is one of the best places in the world to find tech talent. We’re not just here to showcase, but to partner with fintechs in India for the future of banking.”
Guest’s ideas:
Apurv Suri
Head of Client Engagement and Partnership Lead at Standard Chartered
SC Ventures
Apurv Suri is Head of Client Engagement and Partnerships at SC Ventures, the innovation and venture arm of Standard Chartered Bank. Based in Singapore, he has led SC Ventures since 2018, focusing on strategic partnerships, co-investments, and venture building across emerging technologies including Web3, quantum computing, and the metaverse.
Suri brings over a decade of experience in transaction banking and trade finance, having held roles in liquidity sales, cash management, and product development at Standard Chartered. He also serves on the boards of Akashaverse and Lexarius, and holds a BBA in Management & Finance from Pace University. His career reflects a consistent focus on innovation, global collaboration, and building scalable fintech solutions.
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