Business Remedies | Charu Bhatia | June4,2025 | Once upon a time, going global meant opening international offices, navigating complex supply chains, and hiring foreign PR firms. Today, it could mean a weaver in Varanasi running a global brand from a smartphone, no middlemen, no borders, just business.
Welcome to the age of Glocalpreneurs, hyperlocal creators and entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to take their local craft, product, or idea global. These are India’s quiet disruptors, blending heritage with hashtags, tradition with tech.
The Glocal Equation
It starts with a simple formula: Local Knowledge + Digital Tools = Global Reach
From handmade kolhapuris sold via Instagram shops to organic ghee subscription boxes marketed through Shopify and WhatsApp, Indian entrepreneurs are breaking out of geography-defined limits.
The secret sauce?
Platforms like:
8 Instagram and Pinterest for storytelling and visibility.
8 Shopify, Meesho, and Etsy for global storefronts.
8 UPI and Razorpay for frictionless digital payments.
8 AI and automation tools for marketing, analytics, and even customer support.
Case in Clicks: The New-age Localpreneur
8 A pottery artist in Jaipur uses Reels to show behind-the-scenes making of terracotta pieces, and ships them to Berlin.
8 A collective of weavers in Assam now take custom orders via WhatsApp Business, using Google Translate to communicate with French buyers.
8 An indie masala brand from Kerala gets weekly shoutouts from diaspora influencers in the US, purely through Instagram DMs and Canva flyers.
Why It Works Now
8 Digital infrastructure has matured. UPI, logistics networks, and affordable smartphones are bridging the rural-urban gap.
8 Cultural curiosity is peaking globally, international buyers crave authenticity and handmade, not mass-produced.
8 Community-first branding is trending. Consumers care about who made it, not just how it looks.
Challenges Remain – But So Does Resilience
Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing. Language barriers, shipping hassles, and algorithm dependence are real hurdles. But the glocalpreneurs of India are innovating, often without formal MBAs or investor funding. Their degrees? Street smarts and digital hustle.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about a few viral Instagram shops. It’s a larger shift, where technology is not replacing tradition but amplifying it. The “vocal for local” dream is no longer just a policy push, it’s an economic movement led by everyday Indians who are global in ambition, but deeply rooted in identity.
Written & Edited By:
Charu Bhatia
