Manish Shrivastava (subtl.ai)
Overview
Manish Shrivastava is a prominent figure in the field of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI), recognized as a co-founder of Subtl.ai, an AI-powered document search platform. Subtl.ai, established in 2020 alongside co-founders Vishnu Ramesh and Sarath Chandra, was envisioned as a "Private Google" for enterprises, designed to optimize information discovery with its GenAI-powered knowledge agents. The startup aimed to facilitate knowledge management by automating mundane tasks such as form filling and ticket resolution, thereby enhancing operational productivity for client enterprises. Shrivastava, a professor at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H), brought substantial academic and research expertise to the venture.
Recent Developments
- July 2025: Subtl.ai officially ceased operations due to the inability to raise fresh capital, despite having initially secured $200K from angel investors. The company’s closure was announced by Vishnu Ramesh, co-founder and CEO, attributing the shutdown to market focus issues and failure to secure commitments from prospective investors.
- April 2024: Subtl.ai was in discussions to raise a $1 million seed funding round with projections to achieve $500K in FY25 revenues. However, these plans did not materialize. The startup generated total revenues of INR 55 lakh since its inception, far below expectations, as reported by Inc42.
- 2023-2024: Subtl.ai significantly contributed to the usage of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technologies before its closure. Despite the promising technology, the company struggled with market penetration and scalability in a competitive environment.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manish Shrivastava |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Co-founder of Subtl.ai, Professor at IIIT-Hyderabad |
| Known For | Co-founder of Subtl.ai, Expertise in AI and Document Retrieval |
| Education | PhD in Computer Science, IIT Bombay |
Early Life and Education
Manish Shrivastava pursued his initial education at Christ Church Boys' Senior Secondary School before enrolling in Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, where he completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science in 2003. He furthered his academic journey at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay), where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science in 2009. His academic career, marked by a strong foundation in artificial intelligence, data structures, and computer science, played a crucial role in his professional pursuits.
Career and Notable Achievements
Manish Shrivastava began his academic career post-PhD as a professor at the Language Technologies Research Centre (LTRC) at IIIT Hyderabad. His research focused on machine translation and natural language processing, particularly for Indian languages.
- 2019: Collaborated with Vishnu Ramesh to leverage GenAI in creating Subtl.ai.
- 2020: Officially launched Subtl.ai, achieving early success by integrating RAG technologies to enhance information retrieval for enterprises.
- Led the development of document comprehension models which contributed to securing high-profile clients, including the State Bank of India.
Current Work and Impact
Despite the discontinuation of Subtl.ai, Manish Shrivastava continues to influence the field of artificial intelligence through his academic role. As a professor, he is involved in cutting-edge research at IIIT-H, primarily focusing on improving the efficiency of large language models and their applicability in various domains. His impact is also evident in the academic and entrepreneurial communities, where his insights and innovations in AI technologies continue to inspire future developments.
Conclusion
Manish Shrivastava's contributions to artificial intelligence, particularly through his work with Subtl.ai, underscore his commitment to enhancing knowledge discovery and information management. Despite the setbacks faced by Subtl.ai, his academic endeavors and research continue to push the boundaries of AI capabilities, leaving a lasting legacy in both educational and practical applications. His future endeavors, likely focused on vertical AI solutions, promise to leverage his experiences and insights to foster innovation in technology and information retrieval.