The growth of startups in the Indian hinterland is being propelled by a hunger for opportunity, a digitally skilled workforce, resilient talent pools, and entrepreneurial grit. India’s smaller cities delivered a 53 per cent surge in IT hiring this year, nearly double the national average. Graduates in these towns account for 60 per cent of India’s annual output, and unlike in years past, many are now choosing to remain local. Operational and talent costs in Tier-2/3 cities are 20-40 per cent lower than metro markets, but what truly sets them apart is talent retention — attrition rates here hover around 15-20 per cent, compared to 35-40 per cent in big cities. That translates to founders building more resilient teams who are committed for the long haul.

If one needs further proof of India’s shifting mindset, look no further than the country’s TV screens and WhatsApp groups. “Shark Tank India" and its viral pitch clips have made ‘entrepreneurship’ a national buzzword, not only for IIT graduates but for college youth in cities like Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and Rajkot. The rise of local investor networks and digital access to capital means an ambitious founder is no longer held hostage by location anymore.

Yet, even amid hope, a serious adversary looms: AI-driven disruption. India’s youth unemployment rate stands at a bruising 14.6 per cent, which is triple the national average. As is the case across........

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