It Makes Complete Sense To Invest In India: Atlassian CTO
India is a software powerhouse and is poised to strengthen its position even further said Rajeev Rajan, CTO at NYSE-listed software company Atlassian. He emphasised that the company sees compelling reasons to make substantial investments in India, not only to tap into the exceptional talent pool but also to leverage the immense potential of the Indian market.
In a recent conversation with BW Businessworld during his visit to India, Rajan cited India's accomplishments like the Chandrayan-3 mission and its G20 presidency. He used these examples to underscore Atlassian's enthusiasm for the country and its desire to actively participate in this narrative.
"While cost is a contributing factor for companies coming to India, it's important to recognise that it's not the sole driving force. Over time, India's cost advantages may balance out. The primary and most compelling driver remains the exceptional talent pool available here," said the CTO. Rajan was previously the former Vice President and Head of Engineering for Meta.
Atlassian Wants India’s Brightest
Atlassian's venture into India began in 2018, with a modest team of 60 based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Remarkably, in just five years, the company has undergone an impressive expansion, growing its workforce to approximately 1,700.
Back in August, Atlassian's co-CEO, Scott Farquhar, shared with BW Businessworld that the company has expanded its workforce in India significantly, witnessing a nine-fold increase. The majority of this workforce is engaged in research and development (R&D) roles, and Atlassian's commitment to robust hiring in India persists due to the extensive depth of talent available in the market. In fact, India is the fastest-growing region for Atlassian and is expected to maintain this status in the foreseeable future.
When asked about salaries on offer at Atlassian, Rajan said that the company's commitment is to become a prominent player in the global tech industry, known for its exceptional engineering standards. He added that this commitment involved offering competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent, and in every market.
“To accomplish this, we are willing to offer competitive salaries to attract and retain the finest talent from around the world. In every market, we assess the conditions, and in India, we pride ourselves on being a premium brand and plan to maintain that status. We will always ensure that our compensation remains competitive to secure and retain top talent," he said.
The Indian-origin CTO noted that around 20 to 30 years ago, the cost disparity between India and other countries like the US was considerably larger in terms of pay packages. However, in today's landscape, India boasts a pool of top-tier talent, including professionals who have gained international experience and returned to India. This translates to senior-level expertise that stands shoulder to shoulder with global standards. As a result, the imperative is to maintain strong competitiveness in both attracting and retaining such high-calibre talent. “The gap is fast narrowing on that front, especially at the senior levels,” he concluded.
Also Read: Atlassian's Explosive Growth In India: A 'Work From Anywhere' Success Story
