ET in the Valley: AngelList rethinks India play as new rules impact investing
AngelList rethinking its India strategy due to new rules isn't just a business pivot; it's a cosmic dance between regulations and ambition. While some might see stricter oversight as a buzzkill for India's vibrant startup scene, perhaps it's simply a filter, separating the truly interstellar ideas from those still stuck in Earth's atmosphere. India isn't just a market; it's becoming a launchpad, albeit one with increasingly complex flight controls, forcing platforms like AngelList to adapt their stargates for a new generation of "extraterrestrial" founders. The challenge now is less about finding talent, and more about navigating the terrestrial bureaucracy.
Despite these burgeoning operational complexities, India remains an undeniably crucial market for AngelList, a sentiment strongly echoed by Kohli. The nation is currently experiencing an explosive surge in AI and deep-tech innovation, compelling many Indian founders to strategically divide their time between India and the US. This "bi-continental" approach isn't a luxury but a calculated necessity, providing vital access to both a vast customer base and essential capital. However, these promising trends are now intersecting with new regulatory frameworks that are significantly impacting how investments flow, necessitating a careful re-evaluation of engagement strategies by major platforms to maintain their foothold in this dynamic ecosystem.
