Hey Risers
Thank you for subscribing to India Rising. I’m really glad to have all of you on this Indo-European journey. Keep spreading the word to support the Indo-European partnership!
From the potential of India’s consumer market for French businesses to Tech start-up landscape in 2024 and short news, we’ll cover a broad range of topics.
Special content is on the horizon. So stay tuned for more and don’t forget to share India Rising with your network.
Got feedback? Just hit reply, I’d love to hear from you!
Rise of the Week: India Emerges as Strategic Investment Hub for French Companies
India isn’t only about to become the 3rd largest economy by 2027 (IMF), but the 2nd largest consumer market globally by 2030. An opportunity for French businesses.
Source: ChatGPT
According to Forbes India’s article “India's rise as a strategic investment hub for France” published on 07 April 2025, French companies are strategically positioning themselves across four key sectors:
Technology
Luxury
Infrastructure
Defence
Industry leaders such as Airbus, Dassault, Chanel or Ladurée (amongst many others) are already capitalizing on this potential. Airbus for example announced a new Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru last year while India just agreed to acquire fighter jets from Dassault (see Quick Risers below). Clear signs of the growing opportunities in India.
Consumer spending is expected to surge from $2.4 trillion in 2024 to $4.3 trillion by the decade's end.
Opportunities stem from two critical factors: India’s demographic advantage of a young and growing workforce that is expected to reach 1 Billion by 2030 and the ongoing shift towards more investment friendly policies. As reported in the last issue, talks of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement are being accelerated and targeted for completion in 2025.
While the article compares India’s current position with China in the early 2000s and therefore indicates its market potential, it also addresses existing challenges (bureaucracy, income gaps etc.). But amid geopolitical challenges, all things point towards a deepening Indo-French partnership. And therefore vast opportunities for French and European businesses alike.
Sources: Forbes India
What Else is Rising?
Tech Start-Up Landscape 2024: India’s Ecosystem Regains Momentum
In the recently published report “Road to Recovery: Indian Tech Start-up Landscape 2024”, nasscom and Zinnov provide a comprehensive overview of India’s Tech start-up ecosystem in 2024 and indicate new momentum after a period of consolidation.
The third largest start-up ecosystem globally, funding started to recover with an increase of 23% year-over-year to reach a total of USD 7.4 Billion. Particularly the following numbers stood out to me:
DeepTech saw funding surge by 78% year-over-year, with AI-focused startups capturing the largest share.
93% of funding deals were concentrated in Seed and Early-stage companies, indicating long-term confidence.
Over 2,000 Tech start-ups were founded, 2.1X the 2023 figure, and reached a total of 32,000 - 35,000 active ventures.
Zinnov’s CEO Pari Natarajan describes the situation as follows:
India’s tech ecosystem stands firm of three pillars – Technology services industry, Tech startups and GCCs. The last two years is been tough on the tech startups and was compensated with the growth in GCCs. It is great to see the momentum coming back in India’s startups ecosystem.
This snapshot merely scratches the surface of the comprehensive insights available in the full report. I encourage Risers interested in India's innovation ecosystem to explore the complete analysis for deeper sector-specific trends and future projections.
Quick Risers
Google Pixel’s assembler Dixon Technologies is expected to double its revenue in its current fiscal year thanks to rapid growth in local electronics manufacturing. (Source: Reuters)
Alcatel, a French technology brand, will restart sales of smartphones in India. India is the second largest smartphone market globally. (Source: The Economic Times)
India approved to acquire 26 Rafaele jets from the French company Dassault Aviation worth USD 7 Billion. (Source: Reuters)
German automaker Mercedes-Benz sold 18,928 units in fiscal year 2024-2025, the highest number ever. Demand for the leading luxury carmaker in India however fell by 11.8% year-over-year in Q1 2025. (Source: Times of India)
US technology company Meta will expand operations in India and open a new office in Bengaluru. Focus is to hire engineering and AI talent. (Source: The Economic Times)
Global investment firm Vanguard will open its first Indian GCC in Hyderabad this year. Vanguard intends to grow to 2,000 employees within 4 years. (Source: The Hindu)
Spotlight: Why Chipmakers Double Down on India
In a short 5 minute video, AIM TV shares why global chipmakers incl. the European leaders Infineon and NXP Semiconductors increase their investments in India, for India.
Curiosity Corner
Your random facts and stories about India and the Indo-European friendship.
This week: India’s Unique Numbering System
When doing business in India, you'll encounter a unique way of expressing large numbers that differs from the Western system.
The Basics
1 lakh = 100,000 (one hundred thousand)
1 crore = 10,000,000 (ten million)
Comma Placement
The Indian system groups digits differently:
- International: 1,000,000 (one million)
- Indian: 10,00,000 (ten lakh)
The Indian system places commas after the first three digits, then after every two digits:
1,00,000 (one lakh)
1,00,00,000 (one crore)
Why It Matters
Financial discussions in India use these terms exclusively. A "₹5 crore project" means 50 million rupees, not 5 million. Understanding this system is essential for effective business communication with Indian partners.
Enjoyed this issue? Share the newsletter with your network.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
1. Real Estate Services
From Corporate Real Estate and Workplace services to holistic real estate consulting and development support, I’ll help you focus on your core business.
2. Market Entry India & Emerging Markets
As Advisor to Zinnov, a leading consultancy for globalisation in Tech, we help you set up your organisation in India and Emerging Markets.
3. Collaborations & Promotions
I’m a proponent of ecosystems and partnership networks. Whether it’s collaborating on a project, participating in your event or promoting ideas, please reach out.
You can’t get enough or want to catch up on past editions? Follow the link!
