--- title: "Why I Left Canada to Build My AI Startup in Odisha" description: "I once believed AI startups could only be built in big cities, until I proved myself wrong. Here's my journey." author: Ayushman Dash date: 2024-03-17 canonical: https://aiwithayushman.com/blog/why-i-left-canada-to-build-my-ai-startup-in-odisha --- # Why I Left Canada to Build My AI Startup in Odisha ## **I Am No Ritesh Agarwal, but I Am a Proud Odia Tech Entrepreneur** I am no Ritesh Agarwal, but I am a proud Odia tech entrepreneur, and I left Canada to build my AI startup in Old Town Bhubaneswar, Odisha. For the longest time, I believed that great startups could only be built in major cities like Bengaluru, San Francisco, or Toronto. Four years into entrepreneurship, I’ve realized how wrong I was. Today, I want to share why I made the decision to build my AI startup in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. ## **From Canada to Odisha** In 2020, I was in Canada working as an **Applied Research Scientist at** [**Element AI**](https://www.servicenow.com/research/), a [ServiceNow](https://www.servicenow.com/) company. While collaborating with some of the brightest minds in AI, I felt a deep urge to create something of my own. That led me to launch **NeuralSpace**, an AI company dedicated to **developing AI tools for underrepresented languages** across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Then, COVID-19 hit. Without external funding, I made a bold decision, I left Canada and returned to Bhubaneswar, my hometown, to build NeuralSpace. ## **A Team Rooted in Passion, Not Location** We started remotely, assembling a team from across India through referrals and mutual connections. Over the next two years, our team expanded, with more than **60% being Odia** and others hailing from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Yamunanagar (Haryana). Despite being remote, Bhubaneswar became our unofficial headquarters. ![Illustration from: Why I Left Canada to Build My AI Startup in Odisha](https://images.aiwithayushman.com/content/3a7a398def577bae.jpeg) We held multiple team retreats and **workations in Bhubaneswar and Konark**, booking [OYO rooms](https://www.oyorooms.com/) for weeks at a time. These makeshift startup hubs fostered a strong team culture. Today, even our non-Odia team members understand Odia and have embraced the local culture, from **Pakhalo and Dahibara Aludum** to the city’s intense summers and cozy winters. ![Illustration from: Why I Left Canada to Build My AI Startup in Odisha](https://images.aiwithayushman.com/content/17890f2c94de8d21.jpeg) ## **Lessons** Before moving to Canada, I worked at [**Insiders Technologies GmbH**](https://insiders-technologies.com/en/) **in Germany**, a company with just 100 employees but a 25-year legacy of serving thousands of customers. They operated out of Kaiserslautern, a small German town, yet built an impactful AI business. This experience deeply influenced how I shaped NeuralSpace. I realized that **startup success isn’t about location, it’s about culture, resilience, and the right people.** ## **Why Bhubaneswar, Odisha?** Odisha has always shown resilience, whether during [**Cyclone Fani**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Fani) **or the COVID-19 pandemic**. That same resilience is ingrained in my team. And Bhubaneswar, despite being overlooked as a tech hub, offers undeniable advantages: - [**Supportive government policies**](https://web.archive.org/web/20251226204031/https://startupodisha.gov.in/) – Odisha actively promotes startups and tech initiatives. - **Lower cost of living** – We could focus on innovation without the financial strain of metro cities. - **High-quality talent** – Many bright minds prefer to stay close to home if given the opportunity. - **Balanced lifestyle** – The city offers a great work-life balance, with beaches and nature just a short drive away. In fact, Odisha’s **GSDP is projected to grow by 11% in 2024-25**, while **per capita income has surged by nearly 17%**. I personally know **at least five friends running startups here.** ### **Looking Forward: AI Leadership and Mentorship** Although NeuralSpace has now shut down, its **IP was successfully sold to existing customers**, and the journey taught me invaluable lessons in **AI strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship**. For professionals, entrepreneurs, and **business leaders looking to integrate AI into their strategies**, I offer [**mentorship sessions**](/contact) focused on AI fundamentals, leadership, and strategic AI decision-making. Whether you're an **aspiring leader, a non-tech professional, or a company executive**, my **one-on-one AI mentoring sessions** can help you make informed decisions and build a strong AI-driven future. For non-tech professionals understanding AI and its applications is extremely crucial. My [live three-hour masterclass](../masterclass) covers all the fundamentals of AI that you need to make key decisions for successfully integrating Ai in your organizations.