AI Speeds R&D: Bettrlabs Platform & India AI Talent Surge

Deeptech startup Bettrlabs is digitizing product development for consumer brands, enabling them to accelerate from idea to formulation without significant investment in physical labs. The Bengaluru-based company’s AI-powered R&D operating system streamlines product development in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries.

Founded by JP Mohanty, Ravinkumar S, Prathap Raj, and Beena Rai, Bettrlabs replaces traditional lab processes with AI tools for formulations, ingredient analysis, and regulatory checks. This reduces product development timelines from over seven months to 30–90 days by streamlining experimentation and decision-making. The platform offers features like reverse-engineering products, ingredient analysis, and market insights.

In related news, India’s demand for AI talent is rapidly increasing. A recent report indicates that AI hiring has jumped 59.5% year-on-year. Bengaluru remains the top hub for AI professionals, followed by Hyderabad. Emerging centers like Vijayawada also show strong growth, signaling a broader decentralization of AI opportunities across India.

The LinkedIn report highlights a shift from early-stage experimentation to real-world deployment, with companies investing in AI capabilities. While large enterprises continue to lead AI hiring, small and mid-sized businesses are also playing a crucial role in scaling AI projects. Demand is increasingly focused on practical capabilities such as AI agents, productivity tools, and automated feature engineering.

Industries like manufacturing are prioritizing skills such as AI prompting as AI integrates deeper into real-world operations. This surge in demand and decentralization of AI talent signifies a maturing AI ecosystem in India, poised for practical applications across various sectors.