In a watershed moment for Bihar’s technological landscape, a prominent Artificial Intelligence company hailing from Silicon Valley has set up shop in the state. Tiger Analytics, with its headquarters nestled in Santa Clara, has chosen Patna as the locale for its maiden office, marking the first foray of a U.S.-based IT enterprise into Bihar.
Mahesh Kumar, the visionary founder and CEO of Tiger Analytics, shared his enthusiasm about this pioneering step, conveying, “We aspire for this initial stride to pave the path for substantial progress in the future.” Kumar, himself with roots in Bihar, elaborated on the circumstances that catalyzed this strategic move.
Presently, the company boasts an employee base of approximately 4,000 in India, with their primary presence concentrated in Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Kumar recounted how, during the COVID-19 crisis, a considerable number of their employees returned to Bihar and initiated remote work arrangements. “We now have nearly a hundred individuals stationed across Bihar and Jharkhand, actively contributing while preferring to remain close to their roots,” Kumar stated. He pointed out that these individuals found comfort and fulfillment in their home state and were reluctant to return to their previous work locations.
Kumar emphasized the untapped potential of Bihar’s local talent pool, filled with young, skilled individuals eager to contribute but constrained by the scarcity of employment opportunities in the state. The establishment of Tiger Analytics’ office in Patna garnered significant attention on social media platforms, with many expressing their eagerness to witness the company’s growth in Bihar, foreseeing newfound work prospects.
Kumar’s interactions with successful entrepreneurs of Bihari origin in Silicon Valley have nurtured a collaborative ambition. Their aim is to catalyze a movement that unites like-minded individuals, providing the initial impetus for a burgeoning technological ecosystem in Bihar. Tiger Analytics specializes primarily in consulting within the domains of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Sandeep Poundrik, Additional Chief Secretary in the Department of Industries in Bihar, expressed optimism, stating, “We anticipate that this pioneering step will incentivize more enterprises to explore opportunities in Bihar, propelling technological expansion within the state.” Poundrik underscored the critical need for Bihar to attract IT companies to its landscape.
The perception of Bihar on a global scale, Poundrik acknowledged, poses a challenge to attracting investments in the IT sector. He noted that many beyond India’s borders have minimal knowledge of Patna and Bihar. Thus, when contemplating IT endeavors, the immediate destinations that spring to mind are Chennai, Bangalore, or Hyderabad. However, Poundrik emphasized the government’s endeavors to bolster infrastructure and create conducive environments for startups and IT enterprises.
Buoyed by Tiger Analytics’ pioneering move, the Bihar government now plans to host a Global Investors Summit in Patna on December 13 and 14, where IT will take center stage. The objective is to invite Indian and international IT companies to explore Bihar’s burgeoning opportunities and strengths, potentially reshaping Bihar’s technological landscape.
