US entrepreneur hails India as ‘underestimated’ startup hub

She praised India’s democratic system, legal framework, intellectual property protections, and entrepreneurial drive as “all ingredients for the next startup innovation hub.”

Codie Sanchez / X

An American entrepreneur praised India's transformation into a global startup hub, stating that it has been "severely underestimated" as a business powerhouse.

“I think people severely underestimate India as a business powerhouse,” founder of Contrarian Thinking, Codie Sanchez wrote on X.

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In the now viral post, Sanchez announced she is planning a tour of India, citing the country’s emergence as a center for innovation and complex engineering talent.

She contrasted outdated perceptions of India’s economy with the current reality, stating that what was once seen as a country of call centres and IT back offices is now home to millions of fluent English speakers and skilled engineers.

I'm planning an Indian tour... I think people severely underestimate India as a business powerhouse.

1) Past = It's only call centers. Now = millions speak fluent English.

2) Past: IT back office for the world. Now = tons of engineers with complex skills.

3. Past: Copycat…
— Codie Sanchez (@Codie_Sanchez) May 13, 2025

“Now = billion-dollar native creative startups,” she noted, acknowledging India’s growing roster of homegrown unicorns. She also praised India’s democratic system, legal framework, intellectual property protections, and entrepreneurial drive as “all ingredients for the next startup innovation hub.”

Her post triggered an outpouring of responses, many from Indians inviting her to visit business and factory hubs in cities like Morbi, Gujarat, and praising the country’s transformation.

Sanchez, who holds a master’s in business administration from Georgetown University and has previously worked with firms like Goldman Sachs and Vanguard, leads Contrarian Thinking, an investment and business media platform.

According to India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India now hosts more than 90,000 registered startups and over 100 unicorns, many of which are attracting major global investments.

India's startup ecosystem has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India is home to over 100 unicorns and more than 90,000 registered startups.

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