In the high-energy world of startups, pitch decks are sacred—condensed stories that can unlock funding, partnerships, and growth. Until recently, these decks were almost universally created in English, even by founders whose day-to-day business operations ran in Tamil, Hindi, or Bengali.
But times are changing.
With the Indian startup ecosystem moving beyond metros into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—and with over 900 million Indians more comfortable in regional languages—a silent revolution is underway. Regional language pitch decks are becoming not just acceptable, but strategic.
Welcome to the era of vernacular-first fundraising.
Why Are Startups Switching to Regional Language Pitch Decks?
1. Tier 2 & 3 Cities Are Now the Epicentre of Startup Growth
Thanks to government initiatives like Startup India, and the proliferation of state-level incubators (T-Hub in Telangana, KSUM in Kerala, Startup Odisha), entrepreneurship is booming in smaller cities. Founders from Nagpur, Indore, Madurai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar are entering the fray—but not everyone is fluent in English.
To pitch effectively, they’re crafting decks in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and other regional languages. And it’s working.
2. Investors Are Becoming Regionally Rooted
With the rise of angel networks in Tier 2/3 cities and family offices diversifying portfolios, investors are no longer concentrated in Bengaluru or Mumbai. Many newer investors prefer content in their own language for better comprehension and connection.
A deck in Kannada or Gujarati doesn’t just convey facts—it builds trust.
3. The Rise of Bharat: Language as Strategy
The most successful startups—think Meesho, Kuku FM, ShareChat—target “Bharat,” not just urban India. To show investors they truly understand the mass market, these founders present in the languages their customers speak.
A pitch deck in Hindi or Marathi signals, “We know our customer, we speak their language.”
Case Studies: Vernacular Pitch Decks in Action
Kuku FM
This audio content platform, which delivers shows and courses in over seven Indian languages, has raised over $25 million from VCs. Founders have reportedly used Hindi and Marathi decks to connect with vernacular-focused angel networks in early rounds.
Milk Mantra (Odisha)
This dairy startup used Odia in its outreach and pitch decks, showing cultural understanding and local connection. It helped them gain strategic investors aligned with grassroots impact.
AgriTech Startups in Maharashtra
Startups solving farmer issues are increasingly using Marathi decks to pitch to co-operative banks, regional VCs, and CSR arms of large companies. It adds authenticity and relevance.
The Psychological Advantage: Language and Trust
Language isn’t just about words—it’s about trust, intent, and respect.
According to behavioral economists, people process information 30–40% more confidently when it’s in their first language. This is especially important in early-stage pitches, where emotional storytelling matters more than hard metrics.
A deck in a founder’s or investor’s native tongue feels more genuine, passionate, and rooted in real India.
Tools Enabling the Shift
AI & Translation Platforms
-
ChatGPT, Google Translate, DeepL – enable founders to create bilingual decks in hours, not days.
-
Emerging Indian startups like Bhashini (MeitY-backed) and Verloop.io are also building AI voice + translation layers.
Video & Voice Decks
Founders are also sending video pitch decks with voice-overs in local languages—more engaging for investors unfamiliar with English jargon.
Accelerator Programs Encouraging Localisation
-
T-Hub, WE-Hub, and C-CAMP have begun accepting decks and applications in regional languages.
-
Startup Odisha’s O-Hub runs workshops in Odia to help first-time founders pitch effectively.
English vs Regional: What’s the Ideal Format?
Many successful startups are adopting a hybrid strategy:
-
Deck in English for institutional VCs
-
Deck in Hindi/Tamil for local angels, mentors, or state programs
-
Video + Voice-over decks to maximize impact
Pro tip: Make your executive summary multilingual. It shows respect and cultural intelligence.
Is This Just a Trend or the Future?
This is more than a passing wave. As AI lowers the cost of translation, and startup activity deepens into India’s heartland, we’re looking at a future where language-agnostic pitch decks become the norm.
In the next 3–5 years, we could see:
-
State-mandated multilingual decks for government grants
-
Regional-language investor demo days
-
Voice-first pitch platforms
Final Thoughts: Language Is the New Moat
For a long time, English was the unspoken gatekeeper in India’s startup scene. But now, language is becoming a competitive advantage—not a barrier.
In a country with 22 official languages and hundreds of dialects, embracing vernacular storytelling isn’t just progressive—it’s strategic.
If you’re a founder from Bharat—or you’re building for Bharat—it might be time to ask:
Is your pitch speaking the right language?
