Bengaluru-based AI startup Sarvam AI becomes India’s latest “unicorn” after raising $234 million in the first close of its Series B round, which is reported to be targeting $300 million. Multiple outlets say the round values the company at about $1.5 billion on a post-money basis. HCLTech is the lead investor, with reports that it plans to buy roughly a 10.46% stake in Sarvam AI for ₹1,427 crore (about Rs 1,427.25 crore cited in filings). Tech and finance outlets also report that HCLTech invests $150 million in the round. Other investors mentioned include Bessemer Venture Partners, along with continued support from existing backers such as Khosla Ventures and Peak XV Partners (Sequoia). Coverage also links the new funding to Sarvam’s continued research and development, including next-generation frontier models and agentic AI use cases, as well as expanded compute and deployment across industry sectors. One report says the stake acquisition agreement is expected to close within about two weeks and that the transaction does not require regulatory approval, according to a regulatory filing.