ThoughtSpot, an AI and search-based data analytics company, is showing a new growth model for the software industry by leveraging India’s tech talent to drive innovation.

India – ThoughtSpot’s Innovation Powerhouse
Founded in 2012, ThoughtSpot has quickly become one of the pioneering technology companies in the data analytics space. With the appointment of Ketan Karkhanis as CEO in September 2024, the company is accelerating its global growth strategy with strong support from its India hubs. Karkhanis, the former head of Salesforce’s $7 billion Sales Cloud business, appreciates the role of the India team, even asserting that they are not just an innovation hub but also the “innovation powerhouse” of the company.

Scale and Investment
Two years ago, ThoughtSpot announced plans to invest $150 million to expand its operations in India. At the time, the country accounted for about a third of its global workforce. Today, about 70% of the company’s engineering team is based in India, reflecting the region’s rapid growth.

ThoughtSpot’s India headquarters are in Bengaluru, alongside hubs in Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. The Thiruvananthapuram hub was initially created through an acquisition and has since expanded. Today, the company has over 500 employees in India, playing a key role in product development and engineering.

Senior Leadership in India
In addition to being home to the engineering team, many of ThoughtSpot’s senior leadership is also based in India. Kumar Gaurav, Vice President of Engineering and Country Manager for India, and Bhargav Addala, Senior Vice President of Product Management, are both based in Hyderabad. They maintain close connections with leaders in the company’s largest markets, while continuing to drive innovation from within India.

Global Markets and India’s Role
Although headquartered in the US, ThoughtSpot is seeing strong growth in Europe – the company’s fastest growing region. Japan and Australia are also important markets in its global expansion strategy. However, the company’s engineering and innovation roots remain firmly rooted in India.

ThoughtSpot’s growth is a testament to how modern technology companies are leveraging India’s talent pool to drive innovation, not just for their home market but also for their global footprint.