Indian AI startups are considering the financial implications of relocating to the U.S. to access capital and customers, facing challenges such as high hiring costs and visa hurdles.
Indian artificial intelligence startups are currently evaluating the costs associated with establishing a presence in the United States. This move is primarily motivated by the desire to gain access to American investors and enterprise customers. However, high hiring expenses, visa challenges, and difficulties in securing initial clients complicate their expansion efforts.
Venture capital firms, including Antler India and All In Capital, have initiated programs aimed at assisting Indian startups in entering the U.S. market. These initiatives provide support in areas such as customer introductions, local networking, and operational requirements, according to Business Standard.
While some startups have successfully relocated their headquarters to the U.S., secured customers, and raised follow-on funding, others are opting to retain their engineering and product teams in India while establishing sales and business operations in America.
Ashish Bhatia, founder and CEO of India Accelerator, highlighted that one of the most significant challenges for Indian startups entering the U.S. market is securing their first few customers. “First, U.S. buyers want references, so the first two or three logos are the hardest to win. Second, security, compliance, and architecture expectations are much higher. Third, hiring U.S. sales and business development personnel is expensive, and visas for founders who travel back and forth add friction,” Bhatia explained.
Startups also face hurdles in finding product-market fit in a new environment and building relationships with local customers, investors, and potential employees. Without an established network, founders may struggle to obtain essential advice on hiring, pricing, legal structures, and investor introductions.
To address these challenges, Antler India launched its Embark program in May 2025, designed to help startups establish a foothold in the American market. More than 50 startups have participated across four editions, with over 15 from India. Raghav Goyal, director of investments at Antler India, noted that 75% of participants had secured paying customers or active pilots in the U.S., while more than half had successfully raised their next funding round.
Almost 50% of participants have relocated to the U.S., established their holding companies as U.S. entities, and obtained O-1 visas for their founders. Most participants reported securing their first American customer within three to four weeks of joining the program.
Startups that have successfully shifted their headquarters to the U.S. include Dodge, KuboCare, Nudge, and Aina. In addition, All In Capital launched its Golden Ticket program in January 2026 to support Indian startups seeking to expand into the U.S. This program received over 750 applications within its first ten days and aims to select 20 to 30 startups for participation.
Among its portfolio are companies like Vasuki AI, which develops artificial intelligence solutions for commodity hedging desks; Tross, which is building data and application programming interface infrastructure for healthcare AI agents; and Mowito AI. Mowito has established an office in Detroit, launched pilot projects with U.S. customers, and raised follow-on funding from a Canadian investor.
These programs reflect a broader trend among venture capital firms to provide operational assistance alongside financing, helping founders navigate market entry and establish relationships with prospective customers.
However, relocating a company’s headquarters does not guarantee success. Kushal Bhagia, co-founder and partner at All In Capital, emphasized that startups should evaluate their progress based on the quality of customer engagements and pilot projects rather than merely counting users. “They should also consider their ability to demonstrate value in specific business workflows,” he added.
Antler India’s Embark program facilitates introductions to American customers and offers hands-on support for early sales. It collaborates with service providers, including Deel, Rho, Alma, and Inkle, to assist startups with visas and the establishment of U.S. entities.
Importantly, relocating does not necessarily require moving an entire workforce overseas. “Some startups keep their engineering and product teams in India while building out their U.S. teams, so the move is about being close to customers and capital rather than leaving India behind,” said Jasnoor Gill, director of investments at Antler India.
Interestingly, some startups that participated in expansion programs have reversed their relocation decisions, finding that their core customers or teams are better served from India. Nevertheless, Gill noted that it is common for founders to develop greater ambitions for the U.S. market after spending time with American customers and investors.
For Indian AI startups, the decision to relocate hinges on various factors beyond just access to venture capital. Customer acquisition, operating expenses, immigration requirements, and the need to maintain product development capabilities in India all play crucial roles in shaping how these companies structure their international operations.
The insights shared in this article reflect the ongoing challenges and considerations faced by Indian AI startups as they navigate the complexities of expanding into the U.S. market.
According to Business Standard, these dynamics highlight the evolving landscape for startups seeking to thrive in a competitive environment.