A growing trend in India’s startup scene involves copying global tech products and localizing them. But is this approach a smart strategy or just imitation in disguise? Discover the reality behind India’s “copycat” startups.
The Rise of Copycat Startups in India
India’s startup world is buzzing with a new trend—“copycat” startups. These companies take popular international products, make slight changes like adding Indian languages or local branding, and market them as Indian innovations. But this raises a big question: Is it true innovation or just clever imitation?
This article explores why this trend is growing, what drives it, and whether it helps or hurts India’s entrepreneurial future.
What Are Copycat Startups?
Copycat startups are businesses that build almost identical versions of successful foreign products. Instead of creating something entirely new, they take an existing model that already works in other countries and adapt it slightly for Indian users.
This strategy is considered low-risk and potentially high-reward, especially for young entrepreneurs who want fast results. Since the original product already has a proven demand, these founders hope to quickly attract users and investors.
Real-Life Examples in India
Several startups in India are following this model. For instance:
- BharatGPT is similar to ChatGPT, but with Indian language support.
- IndoNote mimics the features of Notion, a popular productivity tool.
- Multiple apps in India now look and function like Robinhood, the U.S. stock trading app.
- While these apps may offer regional languages and local content, the core idea remains copied from the original global versions.
Why Do Founders Choose This Route?
There are several reasons behind this trend:
1. Proven Success: Global products have already shown they work, giving founders a sense of confidence.
2. Investor Pressure: Venture capitalists often want fast growth and returns. Copying a working model seems safer than building something entirely new.
3. “Built for Bharat” Branding: Founders use this phrase to market their products as made for Indian users, even if little has changed from the original.
4. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): When a tech trend goes viral, many startups jump in just to stay relevant—even if they don’t have a truly new idea.
Strategy or Scam?
It’s important to draw the line between smart business strategy and deception.
A smart strategy means adapting a global idea in a way that adds real value for Indian users—better technology, more features, or deeper cultural relevance.
A scam is when a startup simply copies a product, slaps on Indian branding, and overhypes it without adding anything new.
Only those who truly localize and improve on the idea can succeed long-term.
What Works in India
Success in India demands more than just copying. The most successful companies in India—like Ola and PhonePe—started with global inspirations (Uber and PayPal), but added original features and solved local problems.
Ola, for example, adapted its model for India’s roads, customer habits, and even introduced auto-rickshaw options. PhonePe integrated with UPI early, making digital payments easy for every Indian.
Final Thoughts: Proceed with Caution
Copying a product isn’t always bad—if it’s done with purpose and adds value. But users and investors should be careful. Don’t fall for fancy branding or bold promises without checking the actual product quality and usefulness.
India’s startup future is bright. But true success lies in innovation, not just imitation.