India is the new kid on the block...are you paying attention?

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“So what’s your plan? You’re going to just fly to India next week, show up to all the biggest cities there, invite all the coolest women in tech, entrepreneurship, and media, and just put on a show?”

“Yup. How else does a Delulu CEO stay on brand?”

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3000+ of you came together in less than 10 days to make Gen She’s first ever 3-city tour a reality! Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected such an insane turnout of women (and men!) traveling from far and wide to meet me and the community for once in a lifetime night of networking, powerhouse speakers, snacks, swag, and most importantly real-time advice and meet and greets with the most accomplished women in India’s startup and media ecosystem.

India’s Moment: Why the World Can’t Afford to Look Away

If I had to describe this trip in one word, it would be life-changing. As an Indian-American returning after 15 years, I reconnected with not just my roots but a profound understanding of India’s rising role in the next decade of business and culture. This trip transformed the way I see the world and, most importantly, the way the world must see India. I left feeling proud, concerned, awe-struck, and most of all, compelled to share why India’s future impacts everyone, not just Indians.

Let’s dive into everything about India that altered my perspective forever—because this isn’t just about India; it’s about the world.

India Will Be the Largest Market in the World

India is poised to become the biggest market in the next decade, and here’s why you can’t ignore it.

With AI advancing at breakneck speed, technology is now easier, cheaper, and faster to build than ever before. Software is on its way to becoming a commodity. When products can no longer be differentiated by features, the ultimate competitive edge becomes distribution. Distribution is powered by media—and media thrives on attention. In today’s economy, attention is the currency, and those who capture the most eyeballs win.

India, as the world’s most populated country with 1.5 billion people, is at the frontier of this attention economy because it has the most eyeballs. The numbers speak for themselves.

What’s even more remarkable? India doesn’t need to compete globally to dominate. By simply serving its own people, its internal market is massive enough to sustain growth on a scale that could rival or surpass dominant global players. With rising education levels and purchasing power soon starting to equalize, India’s companies could disrupt industries across the world by leveraging their country’s sheer size alone.

Here’s another factor: language. If you’re an ambitious person who wants to operate at the frontier, you learn English, and then jump on the internet. This is universally true. English is the second most common language in India and is widely spoken across all classes—something I’ve never seen in any other third-world country. Not only that, more than half the country has access to the Internet. This creates a powerful advantage for India to integrate into the global economy seamlessly. English fluency enables India to outpace competitors rapidly, opening doors to international markets, partnerships, and innovation at a speed no other developing nation can match.

This is not just an opportunity; it’s a seismic shift waiting to happen. The world cannot afford to miss out.

The Double-Edged Sword of India’s Greatest Strength

India’s most defining trait is also its most complex challenge.

As an American, I understand privilege: access to healthcare, urban planning, cleaner air, higher wages—qualities that make life in the U.S. exponentially more comfortable. In India, the contrast is stark. Wealth disparity and classism are ever-present. But this American privilege comes with a cost: extreme individualism. In contrast, India’s family-first, against-all-odds mentality fosters a sense of warmth and belonging that is unimaginable in a self-serving, capitalist society. This cultural foundation creates a sense of belonging that Americans can hardly fathom. Families in India routinely make extraordinary sacrifices, pooling their limited resources to educate their children and ensure upward mobility for the next generation. This selflessness has helped countless families break cycles of poverty and create generational wealth.

But extraordinary strengths often come with great costs.

Will India’s Next Generations Lose Their Edge?

The same family values that drive India’s rise could eventually limit its potential. Generational ambition wanes. The first generation sacrifices everything. The second builds wealth. The third enjoys it. By the fourth, the hunger and drive that once fueled the family’s rise may fade.

But, this is not a problem for the U.S. because of its culture of individualism. Take Warren Buffet, who famously chose not to leave his fortune to his children, ensuring they find their own path and ambition. Indian culture, however, deeply prioritizes providing for the next generation, often at the expense of personal needs or long-term sustainability.

While this dedication is admirable, it poses a risk. If future generations grow complacent, India’s trajectory could plateau before reaching its full potential.

Why This Matters for Everyone

India is at a pivotal moment. Its size, scale, and potential make it one of the most critical players in the global economy. Its success—or failure—will ripple across industries, cultures, and continents. Whether you are in tech, media, or any industry that touches human lives, India’s rise will affect you.

The time to pay attention is now. Because India isn’t just shaping its future—it’s shaping ours.

What do you think? Hit ‘Reply’ and let me know!

some of my fave feedback from the tour 💜 

Huge shoutout to Microsoft and Hungama for being the backbone of our tour and making it possible to bring this for free to the unbelievably talented startup community of India.

So much gratitude to all 11 speakers for taking the time to share their insights, and congratulations on everything they have each achieved. Gen She is truly honored to have hosted them as guests on our tour: Achina Mayya, Harnidh Kaur, Gayatri Agrawal, Shreya Punj, Ria Chopra, Nona Uppal, Nathasha Kumar, Priti Rathi Gupta, Taneesha Mirwani, Vagmita Singh, and Sakshi Baid

And most importantly to the brands that made the little details, big moments for us: Daak Vaak, Gem Therapy, and Doro Packaging

This is just the beginning! Where should we bring the Gen She tour to next? Hit ‘Reply’ and let us know!

— Avni ❤️

P.S. We’re moving this newsletter to monthly, for now, so see you in 2025! ✨