Opinion: India Has Aced The Software Game. Can It Now Focus On Hardware?
Summary
At the time, Indias IT industry, then a robust but unglamorous sector worth $5 billion, was just beginning to emerge as the worlds back office. Freshworks, a Chennai-born SaaS company, celebrated its NASDAQ debut in 2021, marking Indias firm place on the global software map. Over a decade ago, Sharad Sharma of iSPIRT, Avinash Raghava of SaaSBoomi, and Girish Mathrubootham of Freshworks discussed a broader vision - not just software but transforming India into a Product Nation. Venture capital that floods e-commerce and fintech bypasses electronics and semiconductors, sectors that desperately need patient, enduring investment. This success highlights the potential of Indias hardware sector and shows that with the right leadership and determination, Indian companies can achieve remarkable heights and compete globally.