Peak XV’s Surge backs vernacular AI entertainment startup
Consumer AI startup Companion Labs has raised $2.5 million (approximately Rs 21 crore) in a seed funding round led by Peak XV’s Surge, with participation from All In Capital, UntitledVC, DeVC, and several angel investors. The announcement follows the company’s participation at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, where it was featured at the flagship Impact AI PitchFest. The investment reflects growing interest in AI-native consumer platforms tailored for India’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.
Capital to accelerate product development and strengthen AI capabilities
The fresh funds will be used to accelerate product development, enhance core AI capabilities, and refine the company’s platform as it works toward achieving product-market fit. Companion Labs plans to invest in building scalable AI infrastructure and improving user experiences across its entertainment-driven AI ecosystem. The funding will also support expansion of vernacular content and interactive AI-driven storytelling features.
Founders building AI-powered interactive entertainment for vernacular India
Co-founded in early 2025 by Akshay Jhanwar and Ajit Pol, Companion Labs is developing interactive AI experiences designed for India’s vernacular and culturally diverse audiences. The Bengaluru-based startup leverages AI-powered characters and narrative systems to enable users to explore alternate lives, careers, and personal aspirations. By treating artificial intelligence as a creative medium, the company enables immersive storytelling tailored to regional languages and cultural contexts.
Targeting India’s next billion users through culturally contextual AI experiences
Companion Labs is building its platform specifically for Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 users, focusing on vernacular languages including Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, and Bengali. The startup aims to create a new category of AI-native entertainment aligned with India’s rapidly expanding vernacular internet population. With strong investor backing and rising demand for culturally relevant digital experiences, Companion Labs is positioning itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence and entertainment.
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