Walmart-owned ecommerce giant Flipkart has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Bengaluru-based generative AI startup Minivet AI. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The move highlights Flipkart’s growing focus on AI-led discovery and immersive shopping experiences. It also reflects a broader shift in ecommerce toward visual-first and video-driven commerce.
Ecommerce Is Rapidly Going Visual
Over the last few years, how users shop online has changed sharply. Customers now prefer videos, voice search, and conversational tools over static images and long text descriptions.
As a result, ecommerce platforms are rethinking how products are presented. Video-led discovery has become central to improving engagement and driving conversions.
Therefore, Flipkart’s acquisition of Minivet AI comes at a strategic time.
Why Flipkart Chose Minivet AI
Minivet AI focuses on generative video solutions built for ecommerce platforms. The startup helps convert static product catalogues into rich, engaging video content at scale.
Unlike traditional video production, Minivet’s platform uses advanced AI models and performance optimization. This allows high-quality output at a much lower cost.
As a result, large marketplaces can deploy videos across millions of listings without heavy manual effort.
What Minivet AI’s Technology Enables
Minivet AI’s platform allows ecommerce players to:
- Turn images and product data into short product videos
- Create consistent video quality across listings
- Reduce time and cost of video creation
- Improve product discovery and understanding
In addition, the startup offers semantic search and conversational AI tools. These features help users find products using natural language and intent-based queries.
Together, these capabilities fit directly into Flipkart’s long-term product roadmap.
Founder Sees Opportunity to Scale Faster
Aditya Rachakonda, Founder of Minivet AI, said the partnership would help the startup deploy its GenAI tools at scale.
“This partnership with Flipkart is a pivotal moment for Minivet AI,” he said. “It allows us to accelerate deployment of our proprietary GenAI solutions directly on India’s leading ecommerce platform.”
He added that the integration would make shopping more intuitive and immersive for millions of users.
For a GenAI startup, access to Flipkart’s scale offers rare real-world learning. It also provides long-term product validation.
Flipkart’s Strategic View on the Deal
From Flipkart’s perspective, the acquisition is about building core AI capabilities in-house.
Ravi Iyer, Senior Vice President – Corporate at Flipkart, said the integration would strengthen key functions.
He noted that Minivet AI’s talent and technology would improve catalog videofication and semantic search. These areas are becoming critical as commerce turns visual-first.
Moreover, he added that the move would drive higher engagement, better conversions, and long-term innovation.
Video-First Commerce Is Gaining Momentum in India
India is one of the fastest-growing markets for video consumption on mobile. Short videos, influencer content, and live commerce formats are shaping buying behavior.
Because of this, static listings are losing attention.
Instead, users want:
- Quick product demos
- Visual explanations
- Voice and chat-based discovery
- Personalized recommendations
Therefore, ecommerce platforms are investing heavily in video and AI-led tools.
Flipkart’s Minivet acquisition helps it stay competitive in this changing landscape.
Impact on Sellers and Brands
The move could also benefit small and medium sellers on Flipkart.
Many sellers lack the resources to create professional videos. AI-generated videos can solve this gap.
With Minivet’s tools, Flipkart can:
- Standardize video quality
- Reduce seller onboarding friction
- Improve visibility for long-tail products
- Speed up catalog expansion
As a result, sellers may see better engagement without extra effort.
Competitive Landscape Is Heating Up
Globally, platforms like Amazon and Alibaba are investing in AI-driven discovery and content. Meanwhile, social commerce players are blending content and shopping seamlessly.
In India, the competition is even sharper.
Therefore, Flipkart’s focus on conversational and video commerce is both defensive and forward-looking.
By owning the technology stack, Flipkart reduces reliance on third-party tools. It also gains more control over user experience innovation.
A Boost for India’s GenAI Startup Ecosystem
The acquisition highlights growing confidence in Indian generative AI startups.
Over the past two years, GenAI startups in India have moved from pilots to real revenue use cases. Ecommerce has emerged as a strong application area.
Flipkart’s move sends a clear message:
- Applied GenAI has strong demand
- Enterprise adoption is accelerating
- Strategic exits are becoming realistic
This could encourage more founders to build AI-first ecommerce tools.
What Comes Next for Flipkart and Minivet
In the short term, Minivet AI is expected to work closely with Flipkart’s product and engineering teams.
Users may soon see:
- More video-rich listings
- Faster product discovery
- Improved search relevance
- More interactive shopping journeys
In the long run, Flipkart could move toward experience-led ecommerce, rather than search-led browsing.
Final Takeaway
Flipkart’s acquisition of Minivet AI marks an important step in its AI journey. It also reflects a larger shift in ecommerce toward visual, conversational, and immersive experiences.
As GenAI becomes core to digital commerce, deals like this show how platforms are preparing for the next phase of online shopping in India.
