US CEO attending Delhi's AI summit surprised to see Bata store: 'All my school shoes were...'

Sara Hooker stated that she had not realised the extent of the company’s international presence.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026, currently underway at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, has attracted prominent international policymakers, founders and technology leaders. Among those attending is Sara Hooker, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Adaption, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company.

During her visit to Delhi for the summit, Hooker shared on social media that she was surprised to encounter a Bata retail outlet in the city. Posting a photograph of the store on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote: “I grew up with Bata shoes in Eswatini and in Mozambique. Had no idea it was such a universal brand.”

Hooker stated that she had not realised the extent of the company’s international presence. Bata, established in 1894 in Zlín, then Czechoslovakia, by Thomas Bata, is known globally for footwear and related products. The company currently operates more than 6,000 stores worldwide and works with approximately 100,000 independent dealers and franchise partners. Its retail network includes formats such as City Stores, Family Stores, Angela Stores and AW Lab Stores.

Hooker’s post prompted a number of responses from users who reflected on their own associations with the brand. One user wrote: “We grew up with Bata shoes — all my school shoes were Bata.”

I grew up with bata shoes in eswatini and in Mozambique. Had no idea it was such a universal brand. pic.twitter.com/ri4cqLBa9K

— Sara Hooker (@sarahookr) February 18, 2026

Another commented: “Sara, 99.99% of people in India would not know Bata is NOT an Indian brand.”

A third stated: “Bata is such an integral part of our lives here in India that most people think it is an Indian company.”

“They are one of India's most loved brands,” another user added.

In addition to the Bata store image, Hooker posted other observations from her time in the capital. Sharing a photograph taken while caught in traffic, with India Gate visible in the background, she wrote: “Time in Delhi traffic gives me a chance to spot India Gate.”

Time in Delhi traffic gives me a chance to spot India gate pic.twitter.com/QvpSQ4g2h0 — Sara Hooker (@sarahookr) February 18, 2026

She also posted an image of Parle-G biscuits, describing them as: “The most consumed biscuit in the entire world. G stands for genius.”

The most consumed biscuit is the entire world.

G stands for genius. pic.twitter.com/XE3FSYxoYD — Sara Hooker (@sarahookr) February 18, 2026

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and is described by organisers as one of the largest global gatherings focused on artificial intelligence. The event was opened to the public on February 17 after being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening.

The summit is scheduled to continue until February 21, 2026 and has drawn participation from global technology executives, policymakers and researchers.