By Ritu Jha-
A delegation of 16 Indian tech startups recently visited Silicon Valley, aiming to expand their footprint in the U.S. and explore new opportunities for collaboration. The delegation, led by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), participated in a workshop organized by TiE Silicon Valley in partnership with the Consul General of India.
The event offered these Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a chance to engage with prominent U.S. tech leaders, including Anurag Wadehra and Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia, to learn about the U.S. market’s dynamics and key business practices.
Mayank Gautam, Director of Global Trade at NASSCOM, spoke about the delegation’s mission on the sidelines of the December 6 event. Gautam oversees NASSCOM’s operations in the Americas, Canada, the Middle East, Japan, and Taiwan. He explained that the tech companies represented at the event had been in business for 4 to 20 years, with employee sizes ranging from 25 to over 2,000 and annual revenues between $5 million and $50 million. Gautam highlighted the evolution of Indian tech firms, noting a shift from a focus on providing services to offering innovative product engineering solutions.
“Indian tech companies are increasingly aiming not just to secure business from the U.S., but to establish a physical presence through local offices and resources on the ground,” Gautam said, adding that the demand for such on-the-ground presence grew post-pandemic.
Gautam also discussed the importance of the U.S. as a crucial market for India. The U.S. accounts for 62% of India’s tech exports, contributing significantly to India’s $254 billion tech industry. Together with the U.K. and Europe, these markets represent about 94% of the revenue for Indian tech companies.
When asked about industry challenges, Gautam acknowledged past concerns around immigration but emphasized the sector’s positive impact on the U.S. economy.
“Indian heritage companies employ over 207,000 people in the U.S. and create an additional half a million jobs. We contribute roughly $80 billion annually to the U.S. economy,” he said. “The growth trajectory will continue, irrespective of any political changes.”
Gautam also pointed to technology as a key driver of U.S.-India relations. Both governments, he noted, recognize the strategic importance of their tech partnership. The U.S. and India signed a joint statement last year emphasizing technology as the cornerstone of their relationship.
Anita Manwani, President of TiE Silicon Valley, stressed the importance of such exchanges for entrepreneurs. TiE’s immersion programs, aimed at international entrepreneurs, allow them to experience Silicon Valley’s ecosystem firsthand by connecting with venture capitalists, corporate executives, and successful entrepreneurs.
“Having a base in the Valley is crucial,” she said, adding that the organization has supported 77 engagements in 2024 alone.
Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India in San Francisco, also highlighted the potential for deeper U.S.-India trade and investment ties.
“India has become the world capital for global capability centers, hosting over 55% of them globally,” Reddy said. He noted that while U.S.-India trade is growing, there is still a significant room to increase trade, particularly in the services sector. He urged more delegations like this one to visit the U.S. to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
“Indian companies have invested $40 billion in the U.S., creating over 425,000 jobs,” Reddy said, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations.
