American Entrepreneur Moves from the US to India to Launch a Startup
Synopsis
The First Steps Away from the US The idea of leaving the US first crossed the mind of a New Yorker in 2020. Discontented with how the pandemic was managed and looking for change,…
The First Steps Away from the US
The idea of leaving the US first crossed the mind of a New Yorker in 2020. Discontented with how the pandemic was managed and looking for change, the entrepreneur, born and raised on the East Coast, found himself searching for a reason to leave.
Having grown up in New York and attended college in North Carolina, he had always been drawn to exploring new environments. Though he left college in his third year in 2017, his interest in Silicon Valley was growing. The promise of its meritocratic environment, where unconventional paths were embraced, captivated him. After college, he worked as a baseball analyst, travelling between Seattle and San Francisco, which further solidified his interest in entrepreneurship.
The pandemic triggered a shift. San Francisco, once seen as a potential destination, appeared to be in decline. Seattle seemed like a better fit, but the larger shift came when the startup he worked for with two Indian cofounders hit a roadblock. When his cofounders faced visa challenges, they returned to India to continue pursuing their business. The decision for him to visit India in 2021, initially to accompany the cofounders, changed everything.
Finding Business Opportunities in India
On his first visit to India, which included stops in Mumbai and Bengaluru, life took an unexpected turn. He not only met his future wife, an American teacher based in India but also discovered the spark for an idea that would become his startup, Commenda.
While interacting with local founders in Mumbai, he noticed how businesses faced difficulties registering or expanding into other countries. With countless multilateral trade agreements and thousands of bilateral trade agreements in place, there were no proper tools to help businesses manage them. From these conversations emerged the concept of a one-stop compliance platform to simplify international expansion for businesses.
Returning to the US a month later, he pitched the idea to an early-stage venture-capital firm. Despite the lack of a concrete product at the time, the idea received a warm reception and an investment of $100,000. The catch? He was advised to return to India to test and refine the concept further.
That’s when the entrepreneur convinced his cofounder, who was working at Google at the time, to leave the corporate world. Together, they moved to Bengaluru in 2021 with no explicit plan but plenty of ambition.
Establishing a Startup in Bengaluru
By early 2022, the team began building their enterprise software in Bengaluru. Their platform aimed to serve both Indian and global businesses, offering users insights into local tax regulations and compliance needs for expanding into new markets. The city itself, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley” of India, proved to be the perfect ecosystem for their ambitions.
Driving through south Bengaluru during his first visit had reminded him of Palo Alto. The vibrant startup culture and ecosystem of collaborative founders and advisors made Bengaluru a clear choice. From skilled tech workers to angel investors, the city provided fertile ground for nurturing a business.
However, the entrepreneur soon realised that working within India’s startup ecosystem came with its own challenges. For instance, Indian investors were often more cautious, sometimes continuing diligence even after committing to an investment. Yet, the maturity of newer fund managers brought promising changes to the scene.
Balancing Life Between Two Continents
While operating in Bengaluru provided unique opportunities, splitting time between India and the US became the new standard. Since the launch of their company in 2022, they managed an international team with a third of the employees in Silicon Valley and the majority based in Bengaluru.
Navigating bureaucracy was one of the more difficult hurdles. For example, obtaining a business visa in India involved coordination between different government offices, which led to delays. He also encountered unique cultural challenges, such as landlords rejecting tenancy applications due to his status as a college dropout.
Despite these frustrations, the positives far outweighed the negatives. Bengaluru offered a moderate climate and affordable living costs, which allowed him and his wife to explore nearby places within India and Southeast Asia. The energetic festivals, hospitable nature of locals and vibrant lifestyle led the entrepreneur to call India one of the most fun countries he had lived in.
Insights from Starting Up in India
Today, the startup, Commenda, boasts 250 customers across approximately 30 countries. By streamlining compliance processes, it became a critical tool for companies navigating the complexities of international trade.
The entrepreneur looks back on his decision to move to India as a pivotal moment not only for his professional life but also for his personal growth. The entrepreneur continues to observe that India, with its strong talent pool and unique worldview, will likely become an even more popular destination for foreign entrepreneurs.
From challenges with bureaucracy to the enriching experience of building life and business in a new country, moving to India offered a level of dynamism and creativity that the entrepreneur wouldn’t exchange for anything.
A Growing Trend?
For Americans rethinking traditional career paths, relocating abroad for professional or entrepreneurial pursuits is a compelling option. India, with its thriving startup ecosystem and welcoming culture, is establishing itself as a top choice for those who dare to explore beyond borders.
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At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.
