Adalat AI Joins Y Combinator’s Prestigious Accelerator Program
Adalat AI, a trailblazing Indian legal-tech nonprofit, has been selected for the esteemed Y Combinator Fall 2026 cohort (YC F26). This selection marks a significant milestone as Adalat AI becomes the first nonprofit in nearly five years to receive backing from Y Combinator, and it is among the initial Indian-founded nonprofits to be chosen by this renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator.
The organization, which is committed to revolutionizing court systems through artificial intelligence, was established by Utkarsh Saxena, a lawyer, and Arghya Bhattacharya, an AI researcher. Saxena, serving as the Chief Executive Officer, and Bhattacharya, the Chief Technology Officer, will relocate to San Francisco from September to December to engage in the Y Combinator program.
In a statement, Adalat AI expressed its gratitude for this unique opportunity, emphasizing, “We’re honored they’ve made this rare exception for us — and we intend to make it count. Our mission remains consistent: delivering timely justice for all.” The organization focuses on enhancing court administration and mitigating delays within the justice system through innovative technology solutions.
Technological Innovations for Judiciary Efficiency
Adalat AI has developed cutting-edge tools such as speech recognition and transcription services, case management systems, and paperless workflows to modernize courtroom procedures. These technologies are currently operational in over 6,000 courtrooms across 11 Indian states. The organization aims to leverage its collaboration with Y Combinator to broaden its impact both within India and across other regions in the Global South.
In addition to their existing tools, Adalat AI has collaborated with courts to create solutions that can transcribe court hearings, assist with dictation in various Indian languages, and optimize routine courtroom operations. This demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to streamlining judicial processes.
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Founders’ Backgrounds and Contributions
Utkarsh Saxena, prior to founding Adalat AI, practiced law in India and served as a law clerk at the Supreme Court. Notably, he was one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court case for same-sex marriage, showcasing his dedication to progressive legal reform. Arghya Bhattacharya, with a background in artificial intelligence, complements Saxena’s legal expertise with technological innovation.
Y Combinator, which began including nonprofits in its accelerator program in 2013, has supported over 30 nonprofit organizations. Adalat AI’s inclusion in the program underscores its potential to transform judicial processes through AI-driven solutions, aligning with Y Combinator’s vision of fostering impactful startups.
