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Actively AI, which applies AI reasoning for revenue teams, has raised $17.5 million in Series A funding led by Bain Capital Ventures. First Round Capital, wh...

₹2,000+ crore AI startup pushes autonomous sales agents to compete with Salesforce. Last updated: April 30, 2026 8:50 am A fast-growing artificial intelligence startup, Actively AI, is positioning itself as a challenger to enterprise software giant Salesforce by deploying AI-powered sales agents designed to automate core sales workflows. The company has raised $45 million (approximately ₹375 crore) in fresh funding, bringing its valuation to approximately $250 million (around ₹2,080 crore), as it seeks to scale its technology and expand enterprise adoption. Actively AI is developing autonomous AI agents that can perform tasks traditionally handled by human sales representatives. These include prospecting, outreach, and workflow management - functions that typically require continuous manual intervention. The startup's approach is rooted in addressing inefficiencies in modern sales stacks, where teams rely on multiple tools such as customer relationship management systems, sequencing platforms, and analytics dashboards. Despite these tools, progress often depends on human effort to move deals forward. AI agents, in contrast, are designed to operate continuously, executing tasks without requiring constant human input, reflecting a broader industry shift toward autonomous enterprise software. Funding boost to accelerate growth. The company recently secured $45 million in funding to scale its AI sales agents and expand its product capabilities. This investment supports hiring, product development, and go-to-market expansion as the startup seeks to compete in a crowded enterprise software market. The funding round underscores growing investor interest in AI-driven automation platforms, particularly those targeting high-value enterprise functions such as sales and customer management. Competitive pressure on legacy CRM platforms. Actively AI's model directly challenges traditional customer relationship management platforms such as Salesforce, which have long dominated enterprise sales operations. Legacy systems typically function as systems of record, requiring users to input and manage data manually. In contrast, AI agent-based platforms aim to act as systems of action - actively executing workflows rather than simply tracking them. This shift could redefine how enterprises manage sales processes, reducing reliance on large sales teams while increasing automation and efficiency. Rising adoption of autonomous enterprise AI. The emergence of startups like Actively AI reflects a broader trend toward "agentic" AI - systems capable of independently planning and executing multi-step tasks. These systems go beyond chat-based interfaces, enabling real-time decision-making and operational execution within enterprise environments. As businesses increasingly adopt such technologies, competition in the enterprise AI space is intensifying, with both startups and established players investing heavily in automation-driven solutions. About the author - Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.