Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">Startups</keyword> in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> have high expectations from this year's upcoming <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword>. Early-age startups hope for the removal of angel taxes, while <keyword id="20677283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-tech-startups" source="keywords">health tech startups</keyword> expect increased <keyword id="19913964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="funding" source="keywords">funding</keyword> for the sector. Startups function as engines of economic growth, playing a crucial role in generating new jobs, ideas, products, and services. As of December 2023, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recognised 1,17,254 startups. These startups have reportedly created over 12.42 lakh direct jobs, significantly impacting the economy. Eklavya Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Recur Club, stated, "We are confident that India's business credit landscape is on the brink of a major digital overhaul. FinTechs are at the forefront of this change, deploying innovative technologies and utilising in-depth data analytics to streamline and expand <keyword id="20974354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-access" source="keywords">credit access</keyword>." He added, "While the current allocation of Rs 10,000 crore is an excellent initial step, realising the full capabilities of India's SME and startup ecosystem will necessitate greater investment, especially in credit guarantee schemes." Vinod K Singh, Co-Founder and CTO of Concirrus, expressed his expectations from the budget: "As the Union Budget 2024-25 approaches, we hope the government will address the pressing issue of the 'angel tax.' Eliminating this tax will enhance capital formation and attract vital <keyword id="19895633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investments" source="keywords">investments</keyword>. Streamlining the duty structure and reducing high tariffs on electronic inputs are also crucial to bolstering the startup ecosystem and driving innovation. Expanding the Fund of Funds and introducing low-interest loans would be beneficial." Rajiv Lamba, co-founder and CEO of AI-enabled customer feedback platform Surveysensum, added, "Just as the government has prioritised financial inclusion, it should now focus on <keyword id="22405441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technological-inclusion" source="keywords">technological inclusion</keyword> to propel India to the next stage of growth. By training youth in AI, the government can make a strategic investment in the nation's technological future. Given the rapidly evolving job market, a substantial increase of 20 to 25 percent in budget allocation should be considered for AI-based skill development and entrepreneurship." He further emphasised, "Incentivizing investment in <keyword id="20328842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-startups" source="keywords">AI startups</keyword> and R&amp;D initiatives can boost local innovation in the AI space. The last budget introduced a deep tech fund of Rs 1 lakh crore with a 50-year interest-free loan period; the government should now establish a clear and transparent mechanism for access to this fund." Raja S, founder and MD of Hearzap, highlighted the expectations of health tech startups: "Health tech startups are eagerly anticipating increased funding that could usher in transformative advancements. This crucial investment holds the promise of extending cutting-edge healthcare solutions to rural and underserved areas, effectively bridging existing gaps in care. The upcoming budget ensures that every individual in our diverse population, from the youngest to the oldest, can access essential health services, including specialised care." Discussing taxation for startups in India, Vvihan Gulati, Director of Mediagraphics PR, commented, "Removing the angel tax is a highly anticipated move that would benefit early-stage startups and their investors. It would foster a more favourable environment for innovation and growth, allowing startups to attract much-needed capital without the burden of excessive taxation. This change could significantly enhance the ease of doing business and contribute to the overall growth of the startup ecosystem in India." The Union Budget 2024 will be tabled on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. With this, she will become the first Finance Minister to deliver seven consecutive budgets, surpassing Morarji Desai. She presented the interim budget on February 1 of this year.

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own.</li><li>India's booming market size, internet growth, and post-pandemic spending is driving their decision.</li></ul>Nithin Hassan, 41, has always been fascinated with building something of his own.As a child in India, he would get in trouble for dismantling electronics around the house just so he could peek inside.In college, in true <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/startups-to-bet-your-career-on-in-2024-2024-2">startup</a> fashion, he started working on a small business out of his parent's garage in Bengaluru, assembling computers for friends and family.It was the early 2000s and the internet was not the trove of knowledge it is today — Hassan was relying on books to learn. Finding mentorship and the right guidance was a challenge, too.Everyone around Hassan told him that going to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">US for a master's degree</a> was the next big opportunity. So he did.Over the next 16 years, he put his startup plans on hold and worked at some of the world's biggest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.<div type="image" title="Nithin Hassan" height="2450" width="3266" msid="113831978" hostid="261" sizebytes="215682"></div>But the pandemic felt like a turning point. And its aftermath made India look like a lab-designed business environment: It had just become the world's most populous country, the pandemic had created <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/private-consumption-continues-to-be-supported-by-pent-up-demand-finance-ministry/articleshow/99069973.cms?from=mdr">pent-up demand</a> for consumer products, and growing internet adoption made commerce more scalable, he said.So Hassan left behind about $500,000 in annual pay at Meta to move back to Bengaluru in December 2023 with his wife and two children. He has since launched two startups.Hassan is part of a group of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">expat Indians moving back</a> home to venture out on their own. As such, he's also part of a decades-long trend of reverse migration back to India.The trend began in the 1990s and picked up at the turn of the century, driven by the economic collapse in 2008, said Binod Khadria, the president of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism. Many of those who returned to India for work were largely working for multinational companies.Today, the impetus for the move often looks a bit different: It's driven by factors like unstable visa policies and economic recessions, which lead to uncertainty when it comes to jobs and duration of stay in these destinations.Many returnees find work in tech, but the finance, retail, and climate sectors also absorb a large number of expat Indians, Khadia said. And some of the returnees are heading back to India to start companies of their own.India is undergoing a startup explosion. The country reported over<a target="_blank" href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2043805"> 140,800 recognized startups</a> at the end of June — nearly 50,000 more than last year — and credited them with creating 1.6 million direct jobs.To be sure, not all of these companies will make it big — and some do still stumble, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://inc42.com/features/what-are-the-current-problems-being-faced-by-oyo/">Oyo </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blackrock-hsbc-funds-byjus-startup-valuation-zero-edtech-india-raveendran-2024-6">Byju's</a>. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said.Business Insider spoke to six <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">first-time founders </a>about why they have recently returned to India after spending several years, or even an adult life, abroad.<h2 id="0e4a3c47-ba19-4690-8b52-c6bfece1c81d">Fastest-growing economy</h2>The health of the economy and interest from investors are fueling the entrepreneurship boom.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-billionaire-karan-adani-plans-challenge-china-dominance-seaports-2024-8">India's economic growth</a> in 2023 — 8.2% — was the fastest of all large economies worldwide. That's led to greater purchasing power, which lets companies, including startups, sell more.India's inflation rate of about 3.5% is well below its annual wage growth of 9.6%. This makes inflation less of a challenge than it is for slower-growing peers, where consumer-focused businesses have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-jobs-report-sentiment-consumers-elections-recession-inflation-mortgage-rates-2024-9">hurt by high prices</a>.Investors are getting in on the action.From 2015 to 2021, the number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sequoia-capital-vc-firm-split-china-india-2023-6">unique investors in India</a> nearly quadrupled, though the number is tracking much lower this year, per PitchBook."Other than a slight downturn in 2022 and 2023 due to global macroeconomic factors, VC funding has been consistently growing in India," said Ben Mathias, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia &amp; India.Besides funding, domestic developments have encouraged founders and VCs too, Mathias said.The Indian government's Universal Payment Interface system has spurred consumers and businesses to pay online, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bcg.com/press/2june2022-digital-payments-in-india-projected-to-reach-10-trillion-by-2026">40% of all digital payments</a> globally happen in India today, the partner said.Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother.Devyani Parameshwar worked in the microfinance and fintech space in India in the 2010s before heading to the UK and Africa. She returned to India in 2022 to launch a financial management venture."It's changed dramatically. I remember standing in line at various ministries in Delhi trying to get meetings and then trying to get answers and it wasn't easy in the past," she said of her memories of India.Now, she can use an online platform to ask the country's central bank and banking regulator questions.It's easier than ever for foreign companies to invest in India, which means startups have a clearer exit path through acquisition — something VCs think hard about before entering new markets or writing checks.<h2 id="e5dd7b6f-a09f-4ff2-84c1-5907de96dc5e">Market ripe for the taking</h2>For Rohan Bhide, who spent most of his college and professional life <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">preparing to launch something of his own</a>, a trip home in 2017 while he was studying in the US was a turning point.Indian telecom giant Reliance had recently launched a cheap unlimited data plan, which spiked Indian internet adoption. India was charting among the countries with the highest online transactions."That really, really drew my attention," said Bhide, who worked at Meta after graduation. "It was my dream come true — a huge market, a huge user base, and at the same time, the ability to adopt technology was incredible."Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. He and a cofounder are working on launching a consumer tech product later this year.<div type="image" title="Rohan Bhide" height="2304" width="3072" msid="113831979" hostid="261" sizebytes="218468"></div>Most Indians grew up wanting to work at a multinational company — but that's changing, Bhide said.Freelancing, running your own business, or working for a startup is much more socially acceptable now, because people see the success of other Indian startups. The country has the third-largest number of "unicorns" — companies worth $1 billion or more — with 64, per PitchBook.<h2 id="7f423804-745b-4e04-a250-839e01663f09">Boom in entrepreneurship culture</h2>A lot has changed since Hassan first wanted to launch his hardware startup in the early 2000s.Tech hot spots like Bengaluru and Gurugram have seen a boom in entrepreneurship culture in the last few years, with meet-ups, networking mixers, and even morning walks with like-minded builders.<div type="image" title="man standing in front of mountains in USA" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113831980" hostid="261" sizebytes="141132"></div>Dhruv Anand, who left Google in the US to move back to India in 2021 to launch an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-most-promising-2024-9">AI startup</a>, said that there were lots of other founders and mentors to help guide him."If you want to figure out who's the right chartered accountant to talk to, who's the right lawyer to help you draft agreements, all of that stuff is very easy," Anand said."It's been a really, really supportive community," Bhide said. There are people "telling you about their entire lives just because they want to help you and they're hoping that you pass the favor onto the next person who moves to India and wants to start their own company."<h2 id="3c8bff36-e855-4530-9b44-bcc7f36b0825">Not everything is perfect</h2>Although these founders made the decision to return to India, that doesn't mean they no longer see the benefits of operating in the US.Ruchit Garg founded an agriculture startup in Silicon Valley in 2016, with a focus on supporting farmers around the globe. In 2019, he returned to India, where his late grandfather worked as a farmer.Garg has been building in India ever since, but he says its startup ecosystem cannot yet compete with the Valley's decades of experience."The overall ecosystem was more mature back in Silicon Valley. It's still one of the best places for entrepreneurs. India isn't there yet, although it's growing pretty drastically," he said.Despite efforts to digitalize key processes, many bureaucratic challenges persist.For most founders, after living in US cities where populations are a fraction of those in Mumbai and Bangalore, congested roads and poorer air quality are also everyday annoyances.But India provides some big perks, including affordable domestic help and the appeal of building solutions for problems they witness firsthand."It's a different joy to be able to build for problems that you feel for very personally," Parameshwar, the fintech founder, said. When she worked in Africa, she needed translators. Now, she can speak with her users herself.Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."For some founders, being surrounded by family and the culture they grew up in was another selling point.Niranjan Vemulkar moved back to India in 2015 and later founded a digital legacy planning platform.He said that he never fully felt at home in the US, where he lived for over a decade."For us, it was the fact that we wanted to raise a family in an environment where the children would have access to the grandparents and Indian culture," Vemulkar said. "The fact that you could come back to India, start something of your own and figure things out in an ecosystem which was potentially booming for startups, was just a cherry on the cake."Are you in India and have a story to share about the tech and entrepreneurship landscape? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> urged CEOs of US majors to take advantage of India's growth story as the country is making all efforts to become the third largest economy of the world in his third term. India is currently the fifth largest economy of the world after the US, China, Germany and Japan with a GDP of around USD 3.9 trillion. India has been the fastest growing large economies of the world with GDP growth rate of over 7 per cent for the last three consecutive years. Addressing CEOs of the large US tech firms on Sunday, Modi said India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world in his third term (2024-29). Companies should take advantage of India's growth story for collaboration and innovation by co-developing, co-designing, and co-producing in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from the country's economic and technological growth, he said. Assuring the business leaders of India's deep commitment to the protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech innovation, Modi highlighted the economic transformation happening in the country, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing and semiconductors. Modi asserted that his government was committed to making India a "global hub of <keyword id="20073013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="semiconductor-manufacturing" source="keywords">semiconductor manufacturing</keyword>". The meeting took place at the Lotte <keyword id="19904497" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-York" source="keywords">New York</keyword> Palace Hotel on Sunday during the second leg of Modi's three-day US visit. It saw the participation of CEOs of 15 major US-based firms working on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors. "Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India," Modi said in a post on X. During the conference, Modi said technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, according to a Ministry of External Affairs press release. Organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the CEOs of top US tech firms, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayena, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang attended the meeting. Others who participated in the roundtable included AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg. Modi also talked about India's BIO E3 (biotechnology for environment, economy and employment) policy to develop the country into a biotech powerhouse and on the topic of AI, noted that India's policy is to promote AI for all, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use. The CEOs appreciated India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities. They also expressed strong interest in investing and collaborating with India, agreeing that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in the country. Others who attended the conference included Biogen Inc CEO Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, Chris Boerner, Eli Lilly and Company CEO David A. Ricks, LAM Research CEO Tim Archer, GlobalFoundries CEO Thomas Caulfield, and the CEO of Kyndryl, Martin Schroeter. "Further cementing technology and business connect. PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Engineering, in New York today. PM emphasised India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors," the official account of the MEA said in a post on X. The prime minister had a separate meeting with Krishna P Singh, CEO of Holtec International, which is into nuclear and solar power generation. They discussed Holtec's plan for expanding manufacturing in India and advancing energy cooperation, PMO India said in a post on X. Earlier on Sunday, Modi addressed the <keyword id="20115166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-diaspora" source="keywords">Indian diaspora</keyword> at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York. He also held bilateral meetings with world leaders at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session here. Modi reached New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113516805" title="Why is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the US this weekend?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

PM Modi invites US CEOs to take a 'byte' out of India's growing technology sector

PRNewswire—Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 19: <keyword id="1606194" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aereo" source="Orion">Aereo</keyword>, India's leading <keyword id="22468617" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-based-business-intelligence" source="Orion">drone-based business intelligence</keyword> provider, has successfully closed a <keyword id="22468616" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USD-15-million" source="Orion">USD 15 million</keyword> <keyword id="1095983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Series-B-funding" source="Orion">Series B funding</keyword> round led by 360 ONE Asset. The round saw participation from long-standing investors StartupXseed Ventures and Navam Capital. Aereo delivers <keyword id="20829411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-intelligence" source="keywords">business intelligence</keyword> solutions to help manage large capital assets using proprietary drones and an AI-powered data analytics platform. Their sector-specific solutions cater to mining, infrastructure, urban and rural development, land records, and other industries translating into a 400% revenue growth in the last two years and market dominance. Vipul Singh, co-founder and CEO of Aereo, stated, "This funding milestone enables us to expand our <keyword id="22468614" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aerial-intelligence" source="keywords">aerial intelligence</keyword> solutions for capital asset management. With our proprietary drone tech and 360 ONE Asset's partnership, we aim to revolutionise this $10 billion industry and create a global footprint." <keyword id="22468618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Suhas-Banshiwala" source="Orion">Suhas Banshiwala</keyword>, co-founder and CTO of Aereo, stated, "Our vision is to continuously innovate drone manufacturing and data analytics for the greater good. We are excited about the confidence our customers and shareholders have shown and are gearing up for an orbital shift." Aereo has been recognised by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as one of the top three infra-tech organisations. As a technology partner for Coal India Limited's Digicoal initiative, Aereo provides critical business intelligence for some of the world's largest coal mines for improving productivity, efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance. It has also been empanelled with Tata Steel since 2019, aiding the digitalisation of over 27 critical mines and stockyards. Over the past three years, Aereo has achieved significant milestones, including mapping over 45,000 villages under the SVAMITVA scheme and covering more than 50,000 sq. km of land area for the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Program (DILRMP). The Series B investment serves as a powerful catalyst for Aereo's growth, with a key focus on automation. Their AI-powered drone data analytics platform is set to revolutionise automation and digitisation. With strategic partnerships, R&amp;D, and new product development, Aereo is ready to lead the global <keyword id="22468613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drone-solutions" source="keywords">drone solutions</keyword> sector. Karan Ahuja, Fund Manager at 360 ONE, remarked, "We're thrilled with the momentum in the <keyword id="22468615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="commercial-drone" source="keywords">commercial drone</keyword> tech sector in India. Our partnership with Aereo reflects our belief in their cutting-edge innovations, and we're excited for their solutions to go global." Ravi Thakur, Co-Founding Partner at StartupXseed, added, "Aereo has been a trailblazer from the start, delivering exceptional solutions and building the drone ecosystem. We're excited to support them in their next major growth phase."

Aereo, India's leading commercial drone solutions startup, secures USD 15 million in Series B funding round

<div type="image" title="Companies are embracing the unbossing trend" msid="113256383" hostid="261" sizebytes="1440779"></div> If there’s one thing both a productive team member and an underperformer hates in the corporate world, it’s being micromanaged. Now, imagine a workplace where the boss isn’t calling all the shots. Instead, everyone has a voice, and innovation flows freely. The recent corporate trend of "Unbossing" promises to do just that, empowering employees by eliminating the heavy hands of hierarchy. Sounds too good to be true? Well, globally, not just the new-age start-ups, but dozens of major corporations have embraced this trend and trimmed their middle management. <h2>Managers managing managers — no more!</h2>In January last year, <keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="META" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> CEO Mark Zuckerberg made headlines for declaring 2023 as the “year of efficiency” and saying that he doesn’t want a management structure that's just “managers managing managers”. <div type="image" title="Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg" agency="ANI" msid="113256403" hostid="261"></div> The same month, it was also reported by Command Line that Meta's chief product officer Chris Cox, had shared a post on the company's communication platform, Workplace, highlighting the necessity to "flatten" the organisation's structure. What followed was reports of Meta slashing middle management roles. Gradually, other companies like Shopify, Bayer, and Cisco began making headlines for showing the exit door to some of their middle managers. Loosely, unbossing is essentially cutting down the middle management roles. It cuts significant costs for the company and the new-age workforce also endorses the trend as efficient in enabling faster decision-making and innovation. However, critics argue this trend also limits the extent of mentorship that the younger generation receives while entering the workforce, which often remains an intangible value if your boss turns out to be a good mentor. Therefore, for some, it’s not about firing the middle management, but just another leadership philosophy on how leaders (and ‘bosses’) should conduct themselves. This approach advocates bosses working along with the team as a part rather than shouting instructions from the top. Whatever one’s understanding, this trend of “Unbossing” appears to be taking corporate America by storm in 2023, as evidenced by hundreds of media reports highlighting the same. Overall, most agree that the trend is restructuring organisational hierarchy to enable direct communication between employees and leaders. Cut to 2024, this trend is still prevalent and making headlines. A Bloomberg report recently said that Georges Elhedery, the incoming CEO of HSBC Holdings, might also consider plans to streamline the company's operations by reducing layers of middle management. But what’s the scenario in India? Are Indian companies ready to ditch the old-school approach and adopt this new way of working? Let’s dive in and see what the experts have to say! <h2>Layoffs to impact senior professionals: Naukri.com survey</h2>A survey by job portal Naukri.com early last year had suggested that recruiters in India expect a decline in layoffs during the first half of 2023. The survey, which included responses from 1,400 recruiters and consultants across ten industries, revealed that only 4 percent of participants anticipated layoffs to be the main focus of hiring activities within their organisations. However, the survey also highlighted that information technology roles and senior professionals were likely to be the most affected by hiring adjustments. About 20 percent of recruiters predicted that layoffs would predominantly impact senior professionals, while freshers are expected to face the least disruption from these hiring corrections. Interestingly the survey came around the same time when the Unbossing trend had begun picking up pace abroad. <h2>Layoffs at Wipro, <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> and Collegedunia</h2>In January this year, Wipro India was in the limelight for laying off hundreds of its mid-level executives. The company reportedly culled many jobs as part of its strategy to improve margins. An ET report citing two sources familiar with the situation had said that the leading Indian IT firm reduced mid-level roles at its onsite locations. "Notices began being issued earlier this month, and hundreds of mid-level executives onsite are being let go," one source revealed. Another source added, "They have costly resources onsite in Capco, and although growth is returning, it's not sufficient. Aparna Iyer, Wipro's chief financial officer, has been tasked with delivering better margins this quarter." <div type="image" title="Amazon decided to lay-off middle managers in May" msid="113256170" hostid="261"></div>Then in May, Amazon also decided to reduce layers of middle management within its customer service divisions as part of an organisational restructuring, a Fortune report had said. The cuts impacted over 100 customer service managers in Level 5 and Level 6 middle management roles, both in call centres and virtual positions, primarily based in the U.S. and India. Not just large tech companies, startups too seem to be adapting the <keyword id="23125775" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="unbossing-trend-in-India" source="Orion">unbossing trend in India</keyword>. Last month, educational portal Collegedunia confirmed that around 100 employees from its Study Abroad department had been given the pink slip. A report in CNBC-TV18 had said that additional job cuts were happening across other departments as part of a broader reorganisation. The restructuring, as per the report, was aimed at automating many tasks to reduce costs. Interestingly, despite the layoffs, Collegedunia had posted 13 job openings on LinkedIn for various roles in different locations, primarily entry-level positions requiring up to two years of experience. "While Collegedunia is laying off several employees, it is also hiring fresh talent, allowing them to keep staffing levels up but at a lower cost," one employee told CNBC-TV18 at the time. Another source confirmed that while Collegedunia had been actively recruiting for some months, it has also been letting go of employees, including senior staff members with 7-8 years of experience at the company. <h2>What do experts say?</h2> <div type="image" title="Experts&amp;#39; opinion on unbossing trend" msid="113256250" hostid="261"></div>Mr. Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, told Business Insider India, “From the perspective of HR leaders and CEOs, the strategic culling of middle management is viewed as a means to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and foster a culture of autonomy and innovation.” He also noted that even though employees can “exercise greater ownership and agility in decision-making” through this approach, there are also significant downsides. “The erosion of middle management creates a vacuum in leadership development, mentorship, and the retention of institutional knowledge, potentially leading to disengagement, a weakened talent pipeline, and misalignment with organisational objectives,” Kumar noted. Talking specifically about the Indian scenario, he said, “Implementing this trend in India would be a strategic move, positioning organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. However, to fully capitalise on this approach, developing a more robust talent pipeline that integrates the ability to multitask at all levels is imperative. In today's landscape, leadership demands thinkers, strategic visionaries, and individuals who can execute with precision. We need to cultivate a new breed of leaders who are both thinkers and doers, capable of navigating complex challenges while driving innovation and growth. By building versatile, agile leaders through targeted talent development programs, Indian organisations can ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in a decentralised, high-performance environment.” RP Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius Consultants Limited, told ET recently that the Unbossing approach simplifies hierarchies and encourages open communication between frontline employees and senior management. He had added that the concept of “the oldest in the room is always the wisest of all” is no longer applicable. Meanwhile, Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD and CEO of CIEL HR Services told ET that the unbossing trend is predominantly seen in tech companies, creative roles, and startups, where swift decision-making and the unrestricted exchange of ideas are crucial. For example, the tech sector often thrives with flattened hierarchies that support rapid innovation and agility, while creative industries such as advertising and media use unbossing to cultivate a more collaborative and idea-focused environment. Thus, the unbossing trend is gaining traction beyond global companies and is finding its way into Indian organisations as well. While this approach can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance agility, experts caution that it also brings challenges, such as gaps in leadership development and the loss of institutional knowledge. To fully harness the benefits of unbossing, Indian companies must focus on cultivating agile leaders who can navigate complex challenges and drive growth. By building a strong talent pipeline and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Indian organisations can position themselves to thrive in a more decentralised and dynamic business environment. Do you have insights or personal experience to s hare on layoffs, <keyword id="34447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-trends" source="Orion">workplace trends</keyword>, or career changes? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

SIMPLY PUT: What’s with all “Unbossing” talks? Are Indian companies also embracing this global trend?

New Delhi: <keyword id="21530712" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ola-Founder-Bhavish-Aggarwal" source="keywords">Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal</keyword> is placing bold bets on new-age technologies with a view for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> to be at the forefront of the current global <keyword id="22912054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tech-transition" source="keywords">tech transition</keyword> led by AI, and build <keyword id="22912488" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jobs-of-the-future" source="keywords">jobs of the future</keyword> in the country. In an interaction with PTI editors at the agency's headquarters here, he said the private sector has to do the bulk of job creation, step up and do more, while creating an enabling environment and correcting imbalances, such as that of trade, are the responsibility of the government. Aggarwal also supported the government's move to offer fiscal incentives to global EV makers, including Tesla, through the new EV policy saying it is important for India to attract all kinds of investment, and globally established players will help in the development of the EV ecosystem in the country. The group's newly-listed entity <keyword id="19945904" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ola" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Ola">Ola</keyword> Electric aims to make India a global electric vehicle (EV) hub but the country has to invent an EV and energy transition paradigm for itself based on its needs as the world cannot achieve a sustainable future without India, he added. "There is a global technology transition happening and AI is a very important technology of the future, and we in India need to lead this journey. If you look at the current state, I think we are still adopters of somebody else's technology paradigms, especially in the digital world," Aggarwal said, explaining why the Ola group had set up AI start-up Krutrim last year. One of the things in Krutrim is to build AI models on Indian data, which is more attuned to Indian use cases, Indian paradigms, he said, adding, "We are making our own AI, on our own cloud, on our own chip." Despite India producing 20 per cent of the world's digital data at present, he lamented that the country does not fully own the data, as 80 per cent are stored outside, which are then processed into AI and "brought back into India and sold to us in dollars". When asked about concerns over AI leading to job losses, he allayed the apprehension saying that the IT boom created jobs in India when people feared that computers would take away jobs, and AI is a similar tool. "AI is not going to replace anyone. Maybe that future is a few decades away... We don't need to get anxious about that future right now. We need to, as a country, see that AI is going to amplify productivity. If we don't get onto the bandwagon, we will be left behind...," he asserted. In his view, Aggarwal said the way forward is for India to become experts in future technology. "Future technologies bring with it jobs of the future, supply chain of the future. And if we are global leaders, we are the fastest adoptive market of future technologies (then) jobs of the future will be built in India, supply chains of the future will be built in India. This is the only way... If we focus on protecting the past, you remain uncompetitive," he added. Sharing his take on employment generation in India, Aggarwal said, "I actually believe the private sector has to do the bulk of the job creation. The government's job is to create the enabling environment, create the fundamentals, help correct imbalances wherever they are, be it trade imbalances, etc and incentivise wherever it needs to be incentivised, like the PLI schemes." The government's steps such as the employment-linked incentives will also encourage private industry, he said, adding "But fundamentally the private sector has to step up and do more". Asked if the government is doing enough to create that ecosystem for the private sector, Aggarwal said, "I'm not in the government, so I want to put the limelight on ourselves. Is the private sector doing enough? I think we all can do more, and I'm on the same page. We all need to do more." In response to a query on his views over the government in extending the fiscal concession that companies like Tesla have been demanding from India, he said, "It is very important for India to attract all kinds of investment, especially (from) world leading companies. "Tesla is a best in class company. The more companies like these invest into India, the better it is for India, in a broad sense as well for the industry." He further said, "The (EV) ecosystem, including my company, will benefit from it, because it will raise the bar on expertise, on excellence, on talent, everything..." About the newly-listed entity Ola Electric, he said, "Our mission at Ola electric is to really make India a global EV hub." The company will build products such as electric two and three-wheelers that Indians need for the country to be able to invent an EV and energy transition paradigm for itself, different from the current global solution for sustainability that is focussed on electric luxury cars, Aggarwal added. On Ola Consumer, he said the ride-hailing mobility vertical is fairly profitable, while it is investing into the new e-commerce for which it has partnered with ONDC.

India needs to lead global tech transition, build jobs of the future: Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nithin Hassan moved from California to Bengaluru in 2023 to launch his startup.</li><li>Hassan left a high-paying job at Meta to address urban greenery issues in India.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nithin Hassan, who moved from California to Bengaluru, India, in 2023 to launch his startup. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.I grew up in and around Bengaluru, India, in the late 1990s and 2000s.I moved to the US in 2006 for a master's in computer science. After graduating, I worked at AT&amp;T, Cisco, Amazon, and Microsoft for the next 13 years. In 2021, I switched to Meta, where I helped build data centers for the company.I got married in 2013, and my wife also worked in Big Tech in the US. We really enjoyed life in the Bay Area — we had bought our own house and had a strong friend circle I saw as my family outside India. We also had two daughters, who are now six and two.My wife and I were growing in our careers and making about $1 million in compensation together. I didn't feel like my career or learning had stagnated, and I managed to find time for personal projects like writing books about business.But around the pandemic, something felt missing. I felt like I had not yet found my purpose.<h2 id="f9732e74-d386-406d-8231-01e19d270367">Golden handcuffs</h2>I knew I wanted to give back to my hometown in some way, and I had spotted a problem I could build solutions for. I was also tired of missing out on things back home — I wanted to be close to my family while my parents were still healthy.I realized that a well-paying job in the US was my golden handcuff — it kept me from moving back home and filling both those gaps.Giving up our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">life in the US and my job</a> was a tough decision for my family, but I wanted to follow a minimum-regret mindset.When I told my colleagues at Meta about my plan, they thought I was crazy. We had just gone through a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/layoff-angst-meta-employees-face-tough-reviews-reorgs-2024-3">big 30% layoff</a>, and I was among those that got to stay. The company even offered to move me closer to India, but I went ahead with my resignation.I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">decided to return to India</a> in December last year after nearly two decades in the US.<h2 id="02520e95-090c-46ff-a038-c1e4035f6155">A startup to marry two passions</h2>I took a monthlong break to sort my ideas and came up with a plan.I had been noticing how temperatures in my hometown, Bengaluru, had risen drastically in the last 10 years. Even the monsoon months, which are supposed to be pleasant, started feeling like summer because of all the urban development.It worried me that there weren't any major government or private initiatives looking to improve things — even the tech giants I worked at were looking at climate solutions indirectly. I came up with the idea of building an e-commerce platform that aims to improve urban greenery. It gave me an opportunity to combine two things I love, technology and gardening, which was always my escape when things got busy.I launched my startup in January and have been working on scaling it up since. I have also built a mentorship and job readiness platform to help those looking for career guidance.Both my ventures are bootstrapped and I only plan to bring on any partners if they are a strategic fit. I don't want the pressure of an investor pushing me to make decisions that only have a financial benefit, because I don't want to lose sight of my original purpose.<h2 id="70f8cf9f-715a-43fd-b16e-96db0ba61193">Bureaucracy and big commutes</h2>I love being back home, but there are challenges. India is still not among the highest-ranked countries for the ease of doing business, and I have faced bureaucracy when setting up my startups.We've had to make sacrifices as a family too. My wife is still working at a Big Tech company and spends much more time commuting than she did back in the US. I have two daughters, and inequality in Indian workplaces and concerns for their safety also weigh on me.But there is a different joy in building solutions for India and the problems that I grew up around, like improving local greenery and better access to mentorship.Another big advantage is that the Indian market is chaotic. Even long-established players are still trying to figure it out, which makes it easier for new entrants. The market size has also been encouraging. One of our first orders came from the opposite end of the country, which was surprising because we had not even begun marketing or search engine optimization campaigns.But most importantly, I feel like I have found what was missing.Growing up, I heard my parents talking about their regrets and things they wanted to do. I didn't want any regrets when telling my kids about my life.I tell myself: I'll explore my own venture for five to 10 years and go back to a corporate job if things don't work out. I'll have a bigger experience and a better story to tell.Did you leave Big Tech to pursue a career in a completely different field? Please reach out to this reporter: shubhangigoel@insider.com

My wife and I gave up $1 million in Big Tech pay to move from California back to India. I couldn't find purpose in the US.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rohan Bhide always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur.</li><li>He worked at Meta right after his 2018 graduation.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rohan Bhide, who moved from New York to Pune, India in 2024 to launch his startup. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.I always knew I wanted to build something of my own.I came up with my first idea in my second year of college, when I was studying overseas at the University of Pennsylvania. During a trip back home to India, I built a version of a learning management system and reached out to schools to try to get them to adopt it.It didn't work out, but I learned an important lesson about myself. I realized that I loved how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-everyone-in-tech-talking-founder-mode-paul-graham-chesky-2024-9">founders end up wearing so many hats</a>. You're not just an engineer or a product designer, but you're also a content creator, lawyer, and accountant.That drove every single other career decision I made in my professional career.<h2 id="4f8c8e65-9eb7-42ad-afb1-519b1bff5078">Step 1: Take a job with Meta</h2>I'm a risk-averse person, and launching a business straight out of college didn't feel like an option. So I started preparing to be a founder and collecting experiences that would help down the line.Even early on, I was sure I wanted to work on building consumer products. When it was time to look for jobs, I only <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">applied to Meta and Google</a>, companies well known for developing products for the masses.I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-big-tech-resume-google-meta-product-manager-2024-6">interned with Meta</a> and landed a full time role at the company after graduating in 2018. The offer was a huge deal for me, and I remember calling my parents back home to share the news right away.My family knew my long-term goal was to work for myself, and they worried that the years would pass and I would never leave Big Tech and its comforts.At Meta, I was careful to select projects that would enable me to become a jack of all trades. I was taking on projects where I could work across several different domains instead of specializing in computer vision or machine learning, for example. I earned a reputation for being an engineer that could get things out the door — whether it was by learning the technology myself or by putting together other engineers for the project.<h2 id="5a48931f-43ad-49e7-9b5a-c1c1087c0cbc">Step 2: Quit Meta to see how startups work</h2>After four years at Meta, I understood that big companies have a way of pigeonholing employees into one role, and I felt like my learning had stagnated.I quit Meta in 2022 and moved to the ticketing platform StubHub, a smaller company. I had an engineering role there, too, but I was also tasked with cross-functional roles like product management and data analysis. I learned how startups had to iterate quickly and work with limited resources. It gave me my first experience leading a team, which I really enjoyed.Besides gaining technical skills, I was also saving so that I could eventually bootstrap my own company. After work, I took online courses to learn accounting and finance and spent time with my brothers, who have experience in management and venture capital.<h2 id="4fb93422-62bd-4fb5-8c57-a5dc6210ae62">Step 3: Moving to India</h2>Living in the US, launching a startup in Silicon Valley felt like an obvious choice, but I was more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">excited about business prospects back home in India</a>. Internet adoption had skyrocketed since I left in 2014; the population size made it a hotbed for a consumer tech product; and government initiatives like an instant payments system and acceptance toward greater tech adoption made doing business a lot easier. I knew that if I were to set up my own business, it would be for the Indian market.I finally made the call to move home last year after my fiancée proposed to me. We knew we wanted to settle down in India, and our wedding next year became a deadline to get the ball rolling. We decided I would return first, and I quit my job at StubHub and moved back in January this year.My friends had bets on whether I would ever leave the US or a salaried job, and I managed to shock them and collect some money when I announced my decision to quit.I left behind $580,000 in total compensation at the company.<div type="image" title="Two startup founders standing in front of a background with a world map." height="1869" width="2491" msid="113444544" hostid="261" sizebytes="307874"></div>Since then, I have brought on a cofounder, a high school friend who also moved back from the US a couple of years ago. We are working on launching a consumer tech product in the next few months.I love being back, especially because it means being close to my family and my culture again. There are challenges, too — I've had to get used to driving on India's busy roads.Even though I'm glad to be back in India, I definitely think the US is my second home now. I was visiting my fiancée in New York this summer and felt a bit sad when I got on a plane back to India. It's a strange situation, because I always felt upset every time I got on a plane to the US over the years.Are you a startup founder and have a story to share about your unique career journey? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

I always knew I wanted to launch a startup in India — so I made 2 key career moves in the US first to minimize the risks     

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Avi Singh and Rishi Rajpal left their stable jobs to open a New York City cocktail bar in 2019.</li><li>They hired David Muhs as their head bartender.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Avi Singh, 30, and Rishi Rajpal, 34, the co-owners of Sama Street, and David Muhs, 40, the head bartender at Sama Street. All three also own and operate another New York City cocktail bar, Monkey Thief.This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.Avi: Rishi and I go way back. We grew up together in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/visit-india-2016-3">New Delhi, India</a>. Our parents were friends.Fast forward to 2016, Rishi was living with my brother in New York City, and we reconnected.Rishi: After I graduated college, I worked in event management. Two years later, I pivoted and started working for a tech startup where I was leading <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-double-dip-work-two-jobs-2023-9">quality assurance.</a>I liked the creative aspect of getting to work with different companies. But my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-worker-left-job-opened-natural-wine-bar-brooklyn-2024-11">work was very monotonous</a>. It got boring. And I didn't like being behind a desk for 10 to 13 hours a day.Avi: I went to college at Emory in Atlanta. My peers were entering one of three fields: finance, marketing, or consulting. The thing that intrigued me most was consulting because of its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-hired-top-consulting-firms-bcg-mckinsey-pwc-2024-7">problem-solving nature. </a>I took a job at a consulting firm that would allow me to move to New York City. Reality hit pretty quickly with regard to what you actually do as a business analyst at a consulting firm. It was 80 hours a week sitting on Excel and PowerPoint, building models, and putting together decks. I didn't feel like I got to see any of my work being implemented. I had a hunger to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/six-figure-consulting-job-not-fulfilling-quit-start-business-2024-11">make more of an impact.</a>Rishi: When I reconnected with Avi, we were both in a position where we didn't know what we wanted to do with our lives. We didn't like where we were at. We didn't want to go through life like that, so we started talking about what would happen if we followed our dreams.<h2 id="891d925d-e92d-4743-9282-ab8459339509">We wanted to go into food and beverage</h2>Avi: Growing up in India, food was a big part of our social and familial interactions. That's where the love started.We knew how <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurants-america-eating-out-crisis-your-fault-labor-shortage-tipping-2024-2">difficult the industry</a> was, but we were still fairly young, so we just said let's give it a shot. In the worst-case scenario, we can always come back to our desk jobs.Rishi: I started working as a dishwasher, busser, server, and then manager at an Indian restaurant to gain experience while we came up with our concept.Avi: It was definitely a risky move. Coming from Asian households, we were guided toward a more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/modern-career-path-2018-7">traditional career path</a>. I had to present my dad with a full business plan and pitch the bar to him. But we had done our market research and knew we had a good idea.We wanted Sama Street to be based on our upbringing and experiences. We wanted a cocktail bar where we utilized ingredients in ways people might not be used to.<div type="image" title="A photo of the interior of Monkey Thief" height="5268" width="7898" msid="115385467" hostid="261" sizebytes="4338152"></div>There are some bars in New York where you don't necessarily feel welcome. Maybe you need to be dressed a certain way, or you're afraid to be loud with your friends. We wanted to create a space where, whether you're wearing sweatpants or coming in on a date night, you are welcome and treated equally.That's where the name comes from. Sama is from the Sanskrit word meaning true equality to all beings.We were looking for a head bartender and posted an ad on Craiglist. That's how we met David. He helped us realize our vision.David: I was working as a general manager at the time, but wanted to get back behind the bar. I saw the ad and skipped over it a few times because they seemed pretty green. But my wife convinced me to call them. We talked for an hour and a half and just clicked right away. We had all the same sort of ideas about hospitality.<h2 id="88091082-fd0e-4bc0-9939-3fbe42de37fc">We opened Sama Street in 2019</h2>David: We learned so much during that process. We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/changes-restaurants-pandemic-qr-codes-self-service-kiosks-2024-10">survived the pandemic.</a>Avi: It was rough. We celebrated our one-year anniversary over FaceTime. But Sama Street is in Greenpoint, a very close-knit neighborhood, so our regulars showed up for us. The other bars and restaurants did, too. There was a lot of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-eat-restaurant-outdoor-dining-nyc-pandemic-2020-6">local industry support.</a>We basically did everything that we were <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-restaurants-are-struggling-2020-12">legally able to do</a> to get as many people drinks and food during the lockdown.We're definitely still feeling the ripples of COVID, but it was a great learning experience and taught us that anything can change overnight, and you have to be able to pivot.<div type="image" title="four craft cocktails" height="5464" width="8192" msid="115385469" hostid="261" sizebytes="2130388"></div>I still get worried about financial security some days. As an entrepreneur, you can't pay yourselves unless the business is doing well.<h2 id="e8d53f13-0f83-4bae-9d07-d009ad306ed7">We knew we wanted to expand</h2>David: We searched and searched and searched and came across a spot in Hell's Kitchen and fell in love immediately.Avi: We opened Monkey Thief in October.David: It was very fast. We didn't have to do a lot with the space, mostly cosmetic changes and getting staff trained. The fast opening was good for our pocketbooks but also very high stress. We've all been doing 18-hour days for the last two months.Rishi: We couldn't have asked for a better opening. We've had so much support from the neighborhood, and our regulars from Sama Street have come in to see the new concept.David: It's been a learning curve because it's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurant-owners-how-to-run-a-successful-profitable-small-business-2023-10">bigger than Sama Street. </a>But it's a good problem to have. We've got people waiting outside to come in.Rishi: Hopefully, we will open a couple more spaces in the future.Avi: One of the things I love about this industry is that every day is different, though not necessarily in a good way. You might walk in and see the AC has stopped working or the gas is turned off. It's never boring.David: This is not an industry for everyone. The reason we've been successful is that we love coming to work every day. We love the chaos. We love the community.

We left stable careers in tech and consulting to open a cocktail bar in New York City. It was professionally risky but worth it.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Uday Padyana moved from India to the US in his 20s, landing a few tech jobs in Silicon Valley. </li><li>Despite better growth opportunities in India, Uday prefers the work culture in the US.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Uday Padyana, a mid-30s manager at a Big Tech company in Silicon Valley. The following has been edited for length and clarity.When I first arrived in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reasons-i-left-silicon-valley-california-after-two-years-2023-12">Silicon Valley</a> in 2013 after relocating from India in my 20s, I wanted to move back.My parents and grandmother thought it was just homesickness, but I'd previously lived and worked outside of my hometown, so knew that this wasn't that feeling. It was because I knew that working in Big Tech in Silicon Valley would change me into a different person and I'd never move back.It's been 11 years since then, and I think I've gotten happier with my life here now that I've worked at a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/landing-job-career-big-tech-interview-amazon-meta-google-apple-2024-5">few different jobs in Big Tech</a>. But I've also missed out on so many things back home — my family, friends, social circle, and sense of belonging.<h2 id="c75e447d-f472-426f-b4b8-19ef15acd002">Working in the US suits me more, although I'd have more opportunities in India</h2>I've interned and worked at a few other tech companies in the Valley, including <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/early-paypal-employee-sold-stock-too-soon-millionaire-2021-6">PayPal</a>, and I'm currently at a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-big-tech-dream-job-pay-perks-not-worth-it-2024-5">Big Tech company</a>. Prior to my current role, I also worked in Atlanta at a midsize tech firm, and outside the industry for over four years as a data analyst in Washington, DC.There are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-working-in-bengaluru-the-silicon-valley-of-india-2023-7">more opportunities</a> in India. The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-why-investors-say-india-tech-startup-ecosystem-booms-2022-12">tech industry's growth rate</a> has been phenomenal there, especially for the top companies. If I worked the same job for the same company in India, my salary would probably be about 60% of what I make here, yet I'd probably be able to save almost twice the amount I save here.That's because the cost of living and taxes in Silicon Valley are higher than those in India. There's no public transportation here, so people either have to have a car or pay for Uber, which is expensive compared to India. High-quality organic food and eating out here is also more expensive, and hiring cleaning services is cheaper in India. I also have higher expenses here because of my annual trips back to see family in India.But despite this, working in the US suits me better than working in India because of my individualistic mindset. There's a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/middle-managers-great-flattening-organization-meta-tech-layoffs-firing-2023-3">flatter hierarchy</a> in general, and I respond well to environments with accountability, ownership, and independence.I also like that there's more scope to explore restaurants with cuisines from across the world, meet people from different countries, and have access to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sf-hot-spots-where-founders-vc-tech-workers-hang-out-2024-7">top networking places</a>, conferences, and classes here in the US.<h2 id="dfe1658c-5024-4333-9878-9867140a9360">I had reverse culture shock when I first went home</h2>The first time I went back to India after three years of living in the US, I had a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reverse-culture-shock-moving-back-to-america-asia-singapore-2023-12">hard time adjusting</a>. It was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-delhi-heat-wave-record-water-crisis-2024-5">too hot for me</a> and everything felt smaller, including my own room, where I'd lived for years. I was more sensitive to noise; it's quieter in the US, while India is bustling with sounds all the time, so I couldn't sleep. The air quality was also worse.Since I was upset, I threw tantrums like a teenager. By the end of the trip, though, I realized I was at fault since I was expecting people to change their ways and norms for me when I was only visiting for a few weeks.I decided to travel once a year to India, a promise I've been able to keep for the most part.Despite these regular visits, I realize I've changed. I expect more silence and personal space. The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-heatwaves-could-soon-not-be-survivable-humans-world-bank-2022-12">summers have gotten even hotter</a> in India, and I've become accustomed to air conditioning and higher-quality wifi since we have them everywhere in the US. I've also forgotten some customs and have done them incorrectly.Because of my newly acquired mannerisms, preferences, habits, and life choices, it's easy for my old social circle to see me as "the guy who's living abroad." If I say a word in an American way out of habit, sometimes they think that I'm doing it deliberately to show off. Or if I say something authoritatively, it's assumed that I got that confidence from living in the US, not because that was always my personality.I also see that I might come across as snobbish now, so I have to consciously think through how I'm coming across before I say something. Some people back home think very competitively — they've hinted that they think I'm just plain lucky, and if they had the opportunity, they'd do it too and much better.<h2 id="72978b4b-ce83-4e5e-a4d6-9a4c6e3aeb5e">I missed out on relationships</h2>My definitions of comfort, friendship, and relationships have also changed.Texts on WhatsApp and calls back home aren't as effective as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-deal-with-homesickness-loneliness-living-abroad-2023-11">being in person with family and friends</a>. WhatsApp calls can work for short chats but aren't as good for emotional conversations. It's difficult to assess their emotional and physical states, and there's also a higher risk of arguments due to misunderstandings.Sometimes, friends or family don't share things with me because they think certain things would be better to be said in person. I also don't share as much about my life with them as I would've naturally if I were around. I've missed many occasions where people meet and reconnect — family members' and friends' weddings, childbirths, and other important events of their lives.I also didn't evolve alongside my friends in India. I haven't followed their timelines and feel less peer pressure. Differences in mindsets between my old friends and I have crept up over time, from food and content preferences to outlook on life.I feel like I could've grown faster both materially and spiritually in the US because of the opportunities I had here, and that may not necessarily be at the same pace as the people I grew up with.<h2 id="8b127f72-db4a-46f9-a249-de4026d82a01">I wonder what my life would've been like if I stayed in India</h2>I'm generally happy with my job and my experience working in Big Tech here.While I have no regrets about my choice to move to the US for a tech job, part of me wonders what my life would be like now had I stayed back in India. Maybe I would've gone after dreams I aspired to as a teenager, like becoming an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-tech-job-launch-startup-now-make-400000-2024-4">entrepreneur in tech</a> or entertainment.But perhaps this is a bit of wishful thinking. As a colleague here put it, "Who knows, maybe you'd have just been a failure there — so many try and fail and only a few succeed." I don't have any way of knowing what could've been.Living somewhere new changes you internally and makes you a different person. I feel too foreign here and too foreign there. Even if I had all the resources to go back to India, it'd be different — I've grown apart from who I was. And as much as I really like the US, I'm not from here. I don't have the same upbringing as many people here, so there are subtle differences in the jokes, music, pop culture references, and even habits.One thing I'd like to do is to actualize all of my gifts and feel fully utilized, whether from a creative standpoint or a tech and business standpoint. I feel I haven't done that much and mostly have been flailing to make ends meet and get myself into a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/financial-plan">"safer" situation</a> by having a job, insurance, and savings.But with the recession, there's nothing safe, and I see that I could've just taken risks in the first place — on my startup idea, trying to break into the movie industry, or even taking a break to write a novel I've wanted to write — and I can do so even now.When I first moved to the US, I explored different frameworks for long-term thinking, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-can-learn-from-jeff-bezos-leadership-style">Jeff Bezos's</a> famous approach of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/896830-i-wanted-to-project-myself-forward-to-age-80-and">looking at your life from the point of view of yourself at 80</a>. I hope I can make more conscious future choices to reach an outcome that I can be happy about when I'm in my 40s, 50s, or 90s.If you moved countries for a job and would like to share your story, email Jane Zhang at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:janezhang@businessinsider.com">janezhang@businessinsider.com</a>.

Leaving India and working in tech in the US changed me. I feel too foreign here and too foreign there.

In a move reflecting shifting dynamics in the tech industry, both <keyword id="19895622" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Microsoft" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Microsoft" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Microsoft">Microsoft</keyword> and <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> have decided to relinquish their observer seats on the board of <keyword id="19918823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="OpenAI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="OpenAI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="OpenAI">OpenAI</keyword>, reported UK-based 'The Financial Times'. The move comes amidst reports of increased regulatory scrutiny over the involvement of tech giants in <keyword id="20328842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-startups" source="keywords">AI startups</keyword>. Microsoft, which had invested significantly in OpenAI, including a substantial USD 13 billion investment in its generative AI <keyword id="19901571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technology" source="keywords">technology</keyword>, ChatGPT, has announced its immediate withdrawal from its observer role on OpenAI's board. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111637913" title="Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Ring and more launched" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The decision was communicated via a letter to OpenAI, citing the company's satisfaction with the progress made by the newly formed board. Similarly, Apple, which was expected to take up a similar observer role as part of an agreement to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, has opted not to do so. Although Apple declined to comment on the matter, sources familiar with the situation indicate that the tech giant will not be taking an observer position on OpenAI's board. In response to these developments, OpenAI has announced a revised strategy for engaging with its strategic partners and investors. According to the FT report, the organization plans to hold regular meetings with partners like Microsoft and Apple, along with investors such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures. This shift, as explained by an OpenAI spokesperson, aims to foster a more inclusive and collaborative approach to governance and strategic decision-making. The board of OpenAI recently saw the addition of Phil Schiller, Apple's former marketing chief, as an observer, which was reported just days before these withdrawals. However, Schiller will no longer be observing OpenAI's operations, highlighting the fluidity and perhaps underlying tensions within the organization's boardroom dynamics. Analysts speculate that the decision by Microsoft and Apple to step back from their observer roles could be linked to strategic considerations or internal dynamics within OpenAI. While some suggest possible concerns over antitrust scrutiny or strategic disagreements, the exact motivations behind these decisions remain unclear. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/xiaomi-su7-with-up-to-800-km-range-showcased-in-india-but-you-cant-buy-it/slidelist/111609513.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/xiaomi-su7-with-up-to-800-km-range-showcased-in-india-but-you-cant-buy-it/slidelist/111609513.cms" target="_blank">Xiaomi SU7 with up to 800 km range showcased in India but you can’t buy it</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/redmi-13-5g-with-120hz-display-launched-in-india-starting-at-13999/articleshow/111604488.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/redmi-13-5g-with-120hz-display-launched-in-india-starting-at-13999/articleshow/111604488.cms" target="_blank">Redmi 13 5G with 120Hz display launched in India starting at ₹13,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-unpacked-how-to-watch-expected-launches-and-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/111626712.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-unpacked-how-to-watch-expected-launches-and-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/111626712.cms" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy Unpacked – How to watch, expected launches and everything you need to know</a>

Microsoft and Apple exit observer roles on OpenAI board

Tech giant <keyword id="19910716" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IBM" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IBM" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="IBM">IBM</keyword> on Monday announced the launch of its <keyword id="22332400" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="GenAI-Innovation-Center" source="keywords">GenAI Innovation Center</keyword> in <keyword id="19900813" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kochi" source="keywords">Kochi</keyword> which, it said, will enable enterprises, <keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">startups</keyword>, and partners to explore and build generative <keyword id="20125652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-technology" source="keywords">AI technology</keyword>. The centre will accelerate AI innovation, boost productivity and strengthen GenAI expertise in India, the company said in a release. "As organisations transition from AI experimentation to deployment for adding business value, they often find AI projects too complex or difficult to integrate due to limited skills or expertise," it said. According to the release, the centre would provide organisations with access to IBM experts and technologies geared to help build, scale and accelerate adoption of enterprise-grade AI. The centre is built on InstructLab, a new technology jointly developed by IBM and <keyword id="20245485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Red-Hat" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Red Hat" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Red Hat">Red Hat</keyword> for enhancing Large Language Models (LLMs) with a client's own data, and will also take advantage of IBM '<keyword id="20249092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Watsonx" source="keywords">watsonx</keyword>' AI and data platform and AI assistant technologies. The GenAI Innovation Center will be a part of the IBM India Software Lab in Kochi, and be managed by IBM's technical experts. "With access to the latest in generative AI technology, LLMs, case studies, and IBM experts, the centre will nurture a community focused on harnessing the power of generative AI to address societal and business challenges ranging from sustainability, public infrastructure, healthcare education, and inclusion," IBM said.

You Searched For "tech startups india" and got 12 results

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

ANI

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

Shubhangi Goel,Charissa Cheong

PM Modi invites US CEOs to take a 'byte' out of India's growing technology sector

PTI

Aereo, India's leading commercial drone solutions startup, secures USD 15 million in Series B funding round

ANI

SIMPLY PUT: What’s with all “Unbossing” talks? Are Indian companies also embracing this global trend?

Divyanshi Sharma

India needs to lead global tech transition, build jobs of the future: Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal

PTI

My wife and I gave up $1 million in Big Tech pay to move from California back to India. I couldn't find purpose in the US.

Shubhangi Goel

I always knew I wanted to launch a startup in India — so I made 2 key career moves in the US first to minimize the risks

Shubhangi Goel

We left stable careers in tech and consulting to open a cocktail bar in New York City. It was professionally risky but worth it.

Erin Snodgrass

Leaving India and working in tech in the US changed me. I feel too foreign here and too foreign there.

Robin Madell

Microsoft and Apple exit observer roles on OpenAI board

ANI

IBM to launch GenAI Innovation Center in Kochi

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides