Caleb Friesen, a Canadian tech influencer, has sparked conversation online after sharing his reflections on India’s startup and technology ecosystem in a detailed Instagram post, drawing attention to what he describes as the country’s underestimated innovation momentum.
Friesen, who has been living in India since 2017, said his perspective on the country evolved significantly over the years, particularly after witnessing the pace at which India’s technology landscape has grown beyond its traditional global image.
“I’ve been living in India for 8 years now, and moving here was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
He further wrote, “When I first came to India in 2017, I knew nothing about the country’s startup scene. I knew that India was famous for its food, its rich culture, its ancient history, but nobody told me how rapidly India had developed since the turn of the millennium. Nobody told me about all of the exciting things that were happening in Indian tech. I had to figure that out for myself.”
Friesen added, “Even today, in 2025, I feel that many Indians are unaware of their own country’s potential, and the most of the rest of the world is OBLIVIOUS to the unprecedented levels of innovation that are coming out of India, to the insane amount of passion with which Gen Z and Gen Alpha founders are building their startups. India has never witnessed this level of building before.”
India’s Startup Ecosystem Draws Global Attention
Friesen’s comments echo a broader sentiment among international founders and investors who believe India’s innovation capabilities are still not fully recognised on the global stage, despite consistent growth in both scale and ambition.
Looking Ahead to the Next Growth Phase
In his post, Friesen also expressed optimism about the future trajectory of Indian technology, suggesting that the momentum seen so far could accelerate further in the coming year.
“With all of that said, while 2025 has been an incredible year for Indian tech, I’m confident 2026 is going to blow everything we’ve seen so far out of the water.
“Here’s to India’s bright future, and to proving the rest of the world wrong”
As India’s startup ecosystem matures, voices like Friesen’s highlight a growing confidence that the country is entering a defining phase — one that could reshape global perceptions of where the next wave of technological innovation will emerge.