‘AI investor’ Lemonbuddy takes position to evaluate startup ideas

Nagpur: What if a potential investor wasn't sitting across the table, but analysing a project pitch in seconds with algorithmic precision? Enter LemonBuddy, a Nagpur-built AI-powered ‘smart investor', which is reshaping how startups get noticed, evaluated, and funded. Developed by entrepreneur Abhishek Mulay, a winner at last year's Viksit Bharat Conclave, the bot aims to replicate the thinking patterns of seasoned investors while operating at a scale no human can match. The platform is set to be actively used by participating startups at this year's conclave.In an exclusive chat with TOI, Mulay said, unlike traditional investment processes where venture capitalists sift through a limited number of pitches, LemonBuddy processes thousands of applications simultaneously. "By filtering, sorting, and ranking startups based on customised criteria, the platform helps investors quickly identify high-potential ventures. From sector preferences to risk appetite, users can tailor the AI's evaluation parameters, making the process both efficient and aligned with strategic goals," he said.LemonBuddy integrates large language models (LLMs) along with a scalable front-end interface. Instead of merely scanning documents, the AI engages with founders through a dynamic questionnaire. This ensures a due diligence process followed by human investors."The system not only evaluates what is presented but also probes further where required. It generates a comprehensive report along with a scoring mechanism," Mulay said. This allows investors to easily identify top-performing startups without manually reviewing every application.LemonBuddy is being put to the test at the conclave with 84 participating startups onboarded onto the platform. Each has received a link via email to upload their pitch materials. Once submitted, the AI avatar interacts with them, guiding them through the evaluation process and generating detailed reports for investors."We want founders from all backgrounds to have equal access to opportunities," Mulay said, adding that scaling across regional languages remains a technical challenge but is actively being worked on.