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L&T Finance launches second Pitch Point edition to scout AI startups for RAISE ’26
Two winners could explore proof-of-concept projects and potential equity funding with L&T Innovation Fund
MUMBAI: AI startups have another chance to pitch for a bigger break. L&T Finance (LTF) has launched the second edition of Pitch Point, its competition for early- and growth-stage artificial intelligence ventures, ahead of RAISE ’26, its AI-focused event for the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.
The competition will invite startups developing solutions for financial services and other industries to present their products to a panel of venture capitalists, LTF senior management and industry experts. Two winners will be eligible for rewards, while also gaining an opportunity to explore proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with LTF or selected L&T Group companies.
The winners will also be able to discuss potential equity funding with L&T Innovation Fund, the venture capital arm of Larsen & Toubro. The funding discussions will not guarantee investment, with any potential deal subject to further evaluation.
Commenting on the initiative, L&T Finance managing director and chief executive officer Sudipta Roy said, “Given L&T Finance is doubling down on next-gen AI to reshape the lending landscape, making this competition a vital launchpad for identifying, supporting, and investing in visionary startups. The second edition of Pitch Point reinforces our commitment to fueling innovation and unlocking AI capabilities that bring tangible impact to financial services and beyond.”
The competition is open to startups whose products align with LTF’s or other L&T Group companies’ existing or future business offerings. The eligible areas span 13 domains, including cybersecurity and fraud prevention, rural and agricultural fintech, generative AI applications, embedded finance, blockchain and smart contracts, and alternative-data-based lending.
Other focus areas include AI-driven credit scoring and risk assessment, regulatory technology and compliance, digital financial services and robo-advisers, AI-powered collections and recovery, agentic AI for enterprises, image processing and recognition, and geospatial AI and remote sensing.
The broad scope gives startups working on everything from credit underwriting and fraud detection to enterprise automation an opportunity to demonstrate how their solutions could address business challenges across the group.
Eligible startups must apply online through the Pitch Point portal, submitting a registration form and pitch deck. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interaction round, after which five finalists will be selected to present their solutions live at RAISE ’26.
Applications are open until 31 October 2026. The final shortlist is scheduled to be announced on 1 December, with the competition culminating in a live event on 16 December at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
Startups can apply through the official Pitch Point portal or contact the organising team at raise.pitchpoint@ltfs.com for queries about the application process.
With Pitch Point, LTF is looking beyond AI demonstrations to solutions that could be tested in real business settings and potentially attract investment. For participating startups, the opportunity is to turn a pitch into a proof of concept, a commercial relationship or a conversation about funding.
