Posted by Gopal Unnikrishnav
Why Are Indians So Entrepreneurial In The U.S.?
Indians are defying gravity and starting more companies there. Why are entrepreneurs from the subcontinent such overachievers?
One reason is that Indian entrepreneurs have a very strong support network in the U.S They built organizations and created a U.S. ecosystem of successful Indian entrepreneurs - and, crucially, angel funders - to accelerate newcomers.
Another factor is the societal value placed on entrepreneurial endeavor. Indian kids think it’s cool to start companies
Indians benefit from their heritage, which suits them better than many other immigrants to making it in America. They speak English. They come from a democratic society. More than that, they have a serious independent streak. Just like here, Indians are free to speak out against the government In that respect particlarly, culturally, Americans and Indians are similar and that gives Indians a big advantage when they come to America because they fit right in.
Compare that to the Chinese experience,
In China you’re terrified of authority, you dare not speak out against the government because you’ll be taken away the next day. There is a culture shock from that perspective - people who come from authoritative regimes are afraid of defying authority. But to be an entrepreneur you need to defy authority, you need to break all the rules, you need to take a risk.
Why Are Indians So Entrepreneurial In The U.S.?
Indians are defying gravity and starting more companies there. Why are entrepreneurs from the subcontinent such overachievers?
One reason is that Indian entrepreneurs have a very strong support network in the U.S They built organizations and created a U.S. ecosystem of successful Indian entrepreneurs - and, crucially, angel funders - to accelerate newcomers.
Another factor is the societal value placed on entrepreneurial endeavor. Indian kids think it’s cool to start companies
Indians benefit from their heritage, which suits them better than many other immigrants to making it in America. They speak English. They come from a democratic society. More than that, they have a serious independent streak. Just like here, Indians are free to speak out against the government In that respect particlarly, culturally, Americans and Indians are similar and that gives Indians a big advantage when they come to America because they fit right in.
Compare that to the Chinese experience,
In China you’re terrified of authority, you dare not speak out against the government because you’ll be taken away the next day. There is a culture shock from that perspective - people who come from authoritative regimes are afraid of defying authority. But to be an entrepreneur you need to defy authority, you need to break all the rules, you need to take a risk.
