Code, Country, and Conviction: Building American Innovation from Chennai to Austin

"Innovation knows no borders, but it flourishes where freedom meets opportunity."

In 2020, as the world shut down, I stepped into America with conviction and dreams of impact. Three years later, after a decade-long pause in my entrepreneurial journey, Texas rekindled what Chennai had sparked. Today, as I build a Layerpath , I find myself compelled to break my silence on politics and policy – triggered by watching Sriram Krishnan , someone who inspired me 22 years ago in our Chennai college, face backlash over his appointment to shape America's AI future.

While I've never publicly shared my views on immigration or policy before, some stories demand to be told, some debates need more voices, and some misconceptions must be addressed – not just for Sriram but for the larger truth about merit, innovation, and the American dream.

The Journey: More Than Just Immigration

When I landed in America in early 2020, as the world was shutting down, I brought more than just dreams—I brought the values, work ethic, and innovative spirit nurtured in India's tech ecosystem. Making America home during global lockdowns, without friends or family, tested resilience and conviction. My wife and I navigated this new world alone, finding strength in each other and the promise of what we could build here.

Ironically, the pandemic gave me time to reflect. After years of building intellectual property that helped create American jobs through an employer, I realized my true calling wasn't just to contribute to someone else's vision but to build something of my own. This wasn't just about starting a company but proving that immigrant founders could create lasting value in America's heartland.

The Texas Choice: Intentional Impact

When I founded my company in 2023, I made a conscious choice that raised eyebrows: I incorporated as a Texas C-corporation rather than following the well-worn path to Delaware. This wasn't about following Elon Musk's Tesla relocation or riding the tech exodus wave—it was about putting down roots where I lived, about believing in Texas's future before it became trendy.

Living without health insurance for a year while bootstrapping my startup taught me more about America than any textbook could. Every month without a paycheck, every sleepless night wondering if I'd made the right choice—these weren't just founder struggles; they were lessons in what it means to truly invest in the American dream.

The Immigration Reality Check

In the heated debate following Sriram's appointment, I see echoes of a larger misunderstanding about merit-based immigration. When David O. Sacks points out that employment visas number just 140,000 compared to millions of illegal entries, he's highlighting a crucial distinction that often gets lost in the rhetoric: merit-based immigration isn't about displacement; it's about enhancement.

Beyond Politics: The Innovation Imperative

In my five years here, I've experienced both sides of America's innovation ecosystem. From helping scale a tech company's US operations to building my startup in Austin's vibrant tech scene, I've seen how immigrant talent and American opportunity create something greater than the sum of its parts.

The irony isn't lost on me that David Sacks and Elon Musk, both South African-born, faced less scrutiny than Sriram's appointment generated. This isn't about comparing struggles—it's about recognizing that American greatness has always been built on embracing talent, regardless of origin. The system isn't perfect, but the solution isn't to close doors and build better frameworks.

Here's someone who helped build the foundation of 微软 's Windows Azure, scaled Meta / Facebook 's mobile advertising (which drove their first billion in revenue), and transformed X / Twitter 's core experience. Yet the conversation focuses not on his two decades of building transformative American technologies but on fears about immigration.

"The American dream isn't a zero-sum game. Each immigrant success story adds new chapters to America's story of innovation."

The Reality of Building in America

My journey from that Chennai IT lab to founding a startup in Texas has taught me this: America's greatest strength isn't just its current capabilities – it's its capacity for renewal. When I chose Austin over Silicon Valley, it wasn't just about cost or taxes. It was about believing in the potential of American tech hubs beyond the coasts, about investing in communities that could become tomorrow's innovation centers.

December 2024 marks my first year building in Texas. Every milestone—from our first investment (all from American investors) to our current growth—reinforces what made America the world's innovation leader: the ability to attract talent, nurture ideas, and create opportunities for everyone willing to work for them.

Cultural Integration: A Two-Way Street

Bringing Indian values—family, food, spirituality, community—to American entrepreneurship isn't about changing America but enriching it. When I work 18-hour days building my company, I draw on the work ethic I learned in Chennai and the innovative spirit I've embraced in America.

This cultural synthesis isn't just personal—it's a microcosm of how America has always grown stronger through diversity.

My permanent residency isn't just a status – it's a commitment to contributing to America's future. The next steps – citizenship, scaling our company, creating more American jobs – aren't just business goals; they're ways of paying forward the opportunities I've received.

Looking Ahead: AI, Innovation, and America's Future

As we enter 2025, the stakes for American innovation couldn't be higher. Appointing leaders like Sriram to shape AI policy isn't just about technical expertise—it's about understanding how innovation ecosystems work at a fundamental level. Having witnessed his journey from Chennai's tech scene to Silicon Valley's heights, I've seen firsthand his commitment to making technology accessible and impactful for all.

The challenges we face – from AI governance to immigration reform – require leaders who understand innovation's technical and human elements. This is where the perspective of immigrants who've built significant American technologies becomes invaluable.

A Call to Action: Building Bridges, Not Walls

Today, as I build my company in Austin, every decision reflects a dual commitment: to honor the values I brought from India while contributing to America's future. This isn't about choosing between identities – it's about creating something new, something uniquely American.

The conversation about immigration and innovation doesn't have to be divisive. Yes, system abuse exists – whether through consulting firm exploitation or visa fraud. However, focusing solely on abuse ignores the countless success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs creating American jobs, driving innovation, and strengthening communities.

To those questioning the role of immigrants in American tech leadership, look at the companies we've built, the jobs we've created, and the innovations we've pioneered. My journey—from H-1B visa holder to startup founder job creator—is one story among many of how merit-based immigration strengthens America.

Conclusion: The Next Chapter

As Sriram Krishnan steps into his role in shaping America's AI future, I'm reminded of those early days in Chennai when I watched him and others dream about building world-changing technologies. Today, as I build my own company in Texas, I see those dreams manifesting in new ways.

The America I believe in—the America I'm building in—is one where innovation knows no borders, merit trumps origin, and today's immigrants become tomorrow's job creators. This isn't just my story; it's America's story, continuously renewed by each generation of dreamers and builders who choose to make this country their home.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, I'm more convinced than ever that America's greatest innovations have always come from its ability to attract, embrace, and empower the world's best minds. By supporting leaders like Sriram, we're not just supporting individuals—we're investing in America's continued leadership in the global innovation economy.

The challenges ahead are significant, but so is our collective potential to address them. As we debate the future of immigration, innovation, and American leadership, let's remember what made this country exceptional: not walls or restrictions but the courage to welcome talent and the wisdom to let it flourish.

Written from Austin, Texas, as we approach 2025 – a testament to the enduring power of the American dream and the continued promise of American innovation.