'Who said Indian brands don't work globally?': Nikhil Kamath flaunts home-grown brands in Dubai and New York

Nikhil Kamath flaunts the presence of Subko, SuperYou and 11.11 in Dubai and Newyork

Zerodha co-founder and billionaire investor Nikhil Kamath has said that Indian consumer brands are increasingly making their mark overseas, citing examples from his own investment portfolio that have expanded into markets such as Dubai and the United States. Kamath said he hopes to see Indian brands establish a stronger and more frequent global presence in the years ahead.

In a post on X, Kamath pushed back against the long-held belief that Indian companies cannot build premium brands that succeed internationally. Pointing to recent milestones, he highlighted that Subko has opened a flagship store in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, SuperYou is now selling in Dubai, 11.11 has entered New York, and even found a mention in popular culture, with actor Brad Pitt wearing the brand in a film without any paid promotion. He also flagged the international presence of Nappa Dori, which operates close to Subko’s Dubai location, adding that while he has no association with the brand, he takes pride in its success.

People said Indians can’t build premium brands that work abroad, well here’s Rahul at Subkos flagship store at Dubai Alserkal, Superyou now sells in Dubai, 11.11 sells in New York and Brad Pitt wears it in a movie (unpaid), Nappa Dori is on the parallel street to Subko in… pic.twitter.com/Xfueq42RhN

— Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) January 19, 2026

Calling these developments evidence of a broader shift, Kamath said Indian brands are beginning to compete globally on their own terms, rather than by imitating Western labels. He described the trend as a quiet but meaningful change in how “Made in India” is perceived internationally.

Kamath added that his startup venture platform, ‘Join the Foundry’, aims to contribute to this momentum. He said the initiative hopes to create more Indian brands that are premium, artisan-led, culturally rooted and globally relevant, capable of appealing to international consumers while retaining their Indian identity.

The post drew supportive reactions from social media users, many of whom echoed Kamath’s optimism. Several users said Indian brands are no longer seeking validation by copying global counterparts but are instead exporting confidence, craftsmanship and culture to markets such as Dubai and New York.

Kamath has previously encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to look outward when building brands, arguing that the opportunity lies not in importing global franchises into India, but in scaling Indian-origin brands abroad. He believes global consumers are increasingly drawn to authentic narratives anchored in heritage, craftsmanship and cultural depth.