I co-founded the Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai (TEAM) to spotlight the city’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. Mumbai is the powerhouse across finance, retail, media, entertainment, pharma, sports, gaming, real estate, health care, hospitality and telecom, and now, it’s making bold strides in artificial intelligence (AI). After all, “naam mein hi AI hai". MumbAI is poised to lead AI implementation across these industries. With the potential to drive 15 percent of the city’s GDP growth and attract $450 billion in FDI, Mumbai’s AI startup ecosystem isn’t just aiming high, it’s laying down a blueprint for the future.
TEAM launched Mumbai Tech Week (MTW), held at the Jio World Convention Centre to spotlight the city’s accelerating tech momentum. Its second edition in 2025 drew over 10,000 attendees and was recognised as Asia’s largest AI event. More than just a tech conference, MTW 2025 sparked meaningful dialogue on the responsible scaling of AI, capturing the spirit of Mumbai: Ambitious, inclusive and always ahead of the curve. In doing so, Mumbai isn’t just joining the global conversation on AI, it’s also helping lead it.
Hackathons play a pivotal role in transforming cities into thriving technology hubs. They catalyse innovation, accelerate talent development, and energise startup ecosystems. MumbaiHacks by TEAM is a striking example of this power in action. More than just a hackathon, it’s a bold declaration of Mumbai’s rising ambition to become a global hub for AI and emerging technology.
In a landmark moment, MumbaiHacks has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the ‘Most Participants in a Generative AI Hackathon’, with 1,460 hackers selected from nearly 3,000 applications.
It was not only the first and only hackathon in India—and the world—to set this record, but also a defining milestone and the foundation for a dynamic, solutions-driven tech community in Mumbai. Finally, let’s talk sports.
When we were building Dream11, a lot of people thought we were a gaming app. But we were always building a tech product for sports fans. And where better to do that than Mumbai?
Think sports, think Mumbai. It’s the home of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Indian Super League, the Pro Kabaddi League—and broadcasting giants like Jio, Star and Sony. MS Dhoni’s iconic World Cup-winning six? Mumbai. India’s ODI World Cup victory parade? Marine Drive. From gully cricket to the Women’s Premier League, and now the Rugby Premier League, this city doesn’t just play sports—it lives and breathes it.
Mumbai doesn’t lay out the red carpet, except for our Bollywood superstars. But it gives you a launchpad. The City of Dreams is quietly, steadily and powerfully becoming a tech force to reckon with.
Dream Sports was built not just in Mumbai, but because of Mumbai.
First Published: Jun 25, 2025, 11:34
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