In today’s economy, experts agree that collaboration – between individuals, companies, and regions – is essential if entrepreneurs and businesses are to sustain any kind of growth. This is something that a long-running organisation started in the U.S. in 1990 by businesspersons and entrepreneurs primarily of Indian descent takes pride in doing. The Indian American International Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Washington, D.C. aims to empower its members by amplifying their voices and positioning them as key contributors to the global marketplace.

The IAICC’s latest convention took place last month at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. The massive, concrete and limestone structure with long winding corridors brought to mind the scale and vastness of India with its 1.3 billion people.

First-time IAICC convention attendee and panelist Nitin Baviskar, president and CEO of Maryland-based Pn Automation, an IT services and custom software development firm said he was impressed with the convention.

“I think it was great. We were really impressed with the overall organization and experience,” said Baviskar. “Yes, turnout could have been better, but I think there is a lot of information there for businesses. As far as the content of the conference, it was really good, very informative especially the people on panels.”

The overall tone of the convention was optimistic. Experts conveyed a message to industry stakeholders that despite changes in the economic ecosystem, opportunities still exist. They emphasized global collaboration and finding strategic partnerships in a changing business landscape. Speakers discussed ways to bring people together to provide resources and information about changing job markets, technology, and economic trends.

There was a sharing of ideas on how to create a space for entrepreneurs and professionals to learn about emerging areas like AI, economic changes, and career development. Panelists underscored the importance of leadership, learning and inclusion and reminded attendees that mentorship and support were key drivers in helping businesses grow.

The core of their work, Dr. Shankar Rachakonda, IAICC Chairman of the U.S. and Mid-Atlantic region said, is guided by their “ACE” philosophy – Access, Collaboration, and Entrepreneurship/Education.

Philosophy and collaboration

Dr. Rachakonda emphasized that this philosophy, a core foundation of the IAICC, guides the chamber’s approach to supporting businesses, particularly small and minority-owned enterprises, by providing networking, resources, and advocacy opportunities. He called it “a process of networking and connections” to get in front of the political leaders and advocate for policies that support small and minority-owned businesses.

Regarding collaboration, Dr. Rachakonda says IAICC builds relationships with other chambers of commerce, partnering with various organizations and providing the business community platforms for networking.

“As much as this is an Indian American community, we are also an American Chamber of Commerce,” added Dr. Rachakonda, who is also CEO for Radiant Digital, a D.C. metro-based provider of digital transformation delivery services. “We have very strong relationships, for example, with the Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and a lot of others. Because you know, at the end of the day, it’s about helping businesses.”

To expand their reach, serve their communities more effectively, and strengthen economic and business development across regions, the IAICC has set up 18 regional and state chapters throughout the U.S. including Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, and South Carolina. Internationally, the IAICC may inaugurate a Singapore chapter soon. In 2022, it launched its South India Regional Chapter and the Karnataka State Chapter.

Dr. Rachakonda says the IAICC is also focused on supporting entrepreneurs and providing educational opportunities by offering mentoring and entrepreneurship programs.

“We have a technology council that regularly conducts events where we bring top notch government people, industry recognized subject matter experts to come and speak right, to educate the community,”

Community impact, bridging the gap

Throughout the convention, several business leaders shared how they used their success in business ventures to give back to the community.

“Many people who came here came from very humble backgrounds in India... you have to fight for everything... When there are limited resources, you must compete for them,” Dr. Rachakonda told Sapan News.

This is one of the reasons why the IAICC emphasizes giving back to the community. Understanding the lack of resources, Jayanth Challa, an entrepreneur, investor, and President of the American Telugu Association, started Rural Empowerment, a non-profit organization in Danville, Virginia. The organization partners with the local community college to provide 16-week training programs in cybersecurity, to help them get certified and find jobs in technology.

Challa said he started the organization because he saw a significant economic gap in rural America.

“There are few high-paying technology jobs and the education requirements to get technology jobs were not readily available. Meanwhile, metropolitan areas have high demand for tech workers but limited supply,” Challa told convention attendees.

He said his goal was to bridge that gap by training people in rural areas for 21st-century jobs, explicitly focusing on cybersecurity training. He also wanted to give back to the country, which had provided him and other immigrants with opportunities.

Murali Vullaganti, Founder and Executive Chairman of PeopleShores, started the public benefit corporation in 2017 to help young adults in underserved communities. There are currently eight locations across the USA. Its sibling, RuralShores, was established in India in 2009 with the same mission. It now has 15 centers across eight states in India. The organization trains people in high-tech skills and helps connect them with job opportunities, particularly focusing on single mothers and underprivileged individuals.

Throughout the two-day event business leaders shed light on the core values and strategic priorities of IAICC, with a strong focus on engaging the community.

“Their approach was not just social, but heavily focused on providing valuable insights and resources to its members, particularly around technological and economic shifts,” said Sarita Bartaula, a participant and lead for strategy and development at Sapan News.

Chairman Rachakonda underscores the deeply rooted cultural emphasis on hard work, resilience in the face of limited resources, and the drive to compete, which he sees as hallmarks of South Asian heritage passed down through generations. 

It is these principles, as he noted, that form a solid foundation for entrepreneurship and economic contribution in the U.S. – and indeed, anywhere.

(The writer is the Sapan News coordinating editor. By special arrangement with Sapan)