From Kingston to Hyderabad: Lessons for Caribbean Entrepreneurs from India’s Startup Capital

Zahra Henry, Director and Founder of ZLH Careers, at the ITEC Training Program on Entrepreneurships in India

Introduction: A Journey Bridging Two Worlds

In August 2025, I had the honour of representing Jamaica as one of only two delegates selected from the country—and one of just 27 participants from 21 nations across the Global South—for the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. Sponsored by the Government of India through the Ministry of External Affairs and hosted at the MCR Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana, the course was themed “Entrepreneurship: Creating Successful Startups.”

For two weeks in Hyderabad, India’s buzzing startup capital, I was immersed in a learning journey that blended academic rigour, cultural exploration, and practical exposure to the world’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystem.

Why India, Why Now?

India has recently surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation, and its dynamism is reflected in its business and innovation culture. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana—India’s newest state—is globally recognized as one of the country’s leading startup hubs. From biotech to fintech, and from IT to creative industries, Hyderabad showcases how an integrated ecosystem can nurture and scale ideas into global enterprises.

For the Caribbean and other regions of the world, which continue to seek ways to diversify economies and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the timing could not be more relevant.

The Global South at the Table

Our cohort represented a vibrant mix of countries, including Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho, Jordan, Lesotho, Panama, Ecuador, and Jamaica.

Learning alongside peers from across Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and the Caribbean provided a unique vantage point. Together, we exchanged stories about the challenges and opportunities faced in our home countries—whether in accessing funding, scaling startups, or navigating government policies.

As one of only two full-time entrepreneurs in the programme, I found myself representing the voice of the business community, advocating for the perspective of self-employed individuals who often face systemic barriers. Importantly, I carried the Caribbean’s story into these conversations, a region that is politically and culturally significant, yet too often underrepresented in global economic discourse.

Inside India’s Startup Ecosystem

The training combined lectures with site visits that opened our eyes to the breadth of India’s entrepreneurial landscape. Sessions covered themes such as:

• Entrepreneurial Skills Building

• Global Trade Flows and Foreign Policy

• India’s Startup Landscape and Investment Opportunities

• Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies

• Innovative Schemes for Welfare and Development

  
  

What stood out most were the practical site visits:

• T-Hub: The world’s largest incubator, housing a thriving community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors under one roof.

• Indian School of Business (ISB): A leading hub for management education and incubation of tribal entrepreneurs.

• ALEAP and SAFA Society: Women’s self-help and entrepreneurship groups that not only sustain families but also power India’s global reputation for handcrafted textiles and artisanal goods.

• Warangal: A UNESCO World Heritage site, blending history and innovation.

• Ramoji Film City: The largest film studio complex in the world—a testament to India’s dominance in the global creative economy.

These visits highlighted how cross-sectoral support—from government, academia, investors, and communities—can synergize to nurture entrepreneurs.

What the world Can Learn

Several lessons from India’s ecosystem are directly relevant for Caribbean and the rest of the world:

1. Collaboration across levels: From senior corporate executives to grassroots entrepreneurs, Indians were approachable and ready to collaborate. This humility and openness is something our societies could emulate.

2. Support for women entrepreneurs: The infrastructure, training, and visibility afforded to women in groups like ALEAP and SAFA offer a powerful model for the Caribbean, where women-led MSMEs form a backbone of local economies.

3. Holistic startup support: By combining financial investment, incubation spaces, technical training, and community networks, India creates value chains that Caribbean nations could adapt to strengthen MSME ecosystems.

4. Integration of culture and entrepreneurship: India demonstrates that cultural industries—film, craft, textiles, dance—can be significant economic drivers. This resonates with the Caribbean region’s strengths in sport, tourism and the creative industries.

A Personal Reflection

This journey to India was more than professional; it was deeply personal. Ten years ago, as Head of Choreography of an Indian fusion dance team Tashan Performing Arts during my undergraduate years, I immersed myself in Indian fusion dance at McGill University. To now walk the streets of Hyderabad, study entrepreneurship in the heart of India, and exchange culture with my peers felt like a full-circle moment—a pilgrimage of sorts.

It was humbling to see how warmly Jamaica’s cultural icons—Usain Bolt, Chris Gayle, Bob Marley—are embraced across the Global South. Our shared histories and cultural bonds create fertile ground for deeper business and cultural exchange.

Building Bridges: India, Jamaica, and the Global South

At ZLH Careers, we support talent development, employee management, business coaching, and partnerships for MSMEs. This experience reaffirmed my belief that knowledge transfer, capacity building, and cross-regional collaboration can unlock opportunities for growth. I see immense value in building bridges; leveraging both hard and soft skills to create avenues for collaboration across the Global South. India’s philosophy of self-help, openness, and hospitality is one that can inspire how we structure business and community life across the world.

Shared Futures Across Oceans

As I returned to Jamaica, I carried with me the friendships, networks, and insights gained from Hyderabad. I have been inspired by the humility and openness of the Indian people—willing to collaborate, share knowledge, and build together.

I look forward to translating these lessons into action, strengthening Jamaica’s MSME sector, and deepening the ties between the Caribbean and partners across the Global South.

At ZLH Careers, our mission is to build capacity for individual and business growth: connecting people, ideas, and opportunities across oceans.We are ready to continue building bridges both in the Caribbean and internationally. If you, like me, believe in the power of global collaboration — connect with us at ZLH. Together, we can open new doors and expand what’s possible.