Let me ask you something… If you’re building software for global markets from India, especially for US clients—are you even thinking about the US-China tech war? Because here’s the truth… This isn’t just a geopolitical headline anymore. It’s creeping into your source code, your infra, your sales pipeline—and yes, even your contracts. Hey there, I’m Tabish Bibikar, and I coach and mentor software company founders to scale their business without losing focus or getting blindsided by global shocks like this one. And this is one of those moments where what’s happening on the global stage can quietly rewrite your business playbook. Here’s what’s going on. In late 2024, the US Commerce Department expanded export controls on Chinese tech firms—beyond hardware into software, cloud, and even connected devices. You know what that means? Your software, even if made in India, is getting watched more closely—especially if it uses Chinese tools, libraries, APIs, or infra. I’ve already seen Indian SaaS companies get rejected by US enterprise clients for having code dependencies from Chinese-origin GitHub projects. No red flags before. Just a silent “No” from procurement. So what do you do? Here’s the playbook I’ve been sharing with my clients:

Step 1: Audit your tech stack. Seriously. Pull up every line item—cloud infra, dev tools, open-source libraries. If anything has a link to China, flag it. Better now than at RFP time.

Step 2: De-risk your infra. If you’re hosting anything on Alibaba Cloud or using Tencent-backed tools—move. Today. The scrutiny is only going to grow.

Step 3: Build a compliance-ready version of your product. For your US enterprise sales pipeline, maintain a secure, auditable build that’s free of geo-sensitive components. Think of it like GDPR—only this time, it’s about geopolitics.

Step 4: Train your sales team. They need to be ready when that question comes: “Do you use any Chinese-origin components in your product?” The best founders I coach—they’re turning compliance into a competitive edge. They’re using it as a trust builder.

They’re showing US clients that they’re not just smart developers—they’re serious business partners. So if you’re ignoring this, thinking, “We’re just a small Indian software company, who’s going to notice?”— Well, your next big client might.

If you want my detailed checklist on how to make your tech stack “geopolitics-ready,” drop a comment. I’ll send it your way. Thanks for watching. Stay sharp, stay secure—I’ll see you in the next one.

Tabish Bibikar

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Tabish Bibikar

Tabish Bibikar is a seasoned Coach specializing in guiding high-performing software company founders. With nearly three decades of experience in the IT industry, ranging from small firms to multinational giants, Tabish has a comprehensive understanding at both micro and macro levels.

Since 2014, she has coached numerous software companies, including SAAS providers and product development firms, helping them achieve significant milestones such as reaching their first Million and scaling up further. Tabish's expertise in IT business coaching has enabled her clients to consistently generate more leads, increase profits, build and retain exceptional talent, and attract crucial investments.

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