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Jubin Shah is a long-time advocate for Indo-German collaboration, currently serving as an ambassador for the German Indian Startup Exchange Program (GINSEP). In this conversation, he reflects on his journey from India to Germany, highlighting the vital role startups play in deepening bilateral ties, especially in healthcare and technology. Shah emphasizes the need to remove regulatory hurdles, promote cultural understanding, and create agile frameworks for innovation. He speaks candidly about integration challenges, systemic biases, and the importance of language, mindset, and resilience for newcomers. Personally and professionally inspired by Germany’s values, he has committed himself to building sustainable bridges across sectors – including as a driving force behind the upcoming Indo-German Healthcare Congress with a focus on AI in medicine.
As an GINSEP ambassador, how do you see the role of startups in deepening the economic and technological ties between Germany and India?
In my opinion, startups have emerged as a vital pillar in the broader cooperation between India and Germany, resonating strongly across both nations and various sectors. Over time, these collaborations have matured, and there is now a deeper understanding among startups of the market opportunities available when scaling between India and Germany.
What key challenges and opportunities do you observe in this cross-cultural startup ecosystem?
However, systemic challenges persist – particularly in aligning expectations with actual delivery. Streamlining visa processes for startup founders, enhancing market awareness, and introducing flexible, time-bound sandboxing mechanisms are foundational elements that can significantly influence a startup’s decision to enter a new market.
Going ahead, reducing regulatory hurdles on both sides will be crucial for sustaining and deepening this bilateral cooperation. A more agile and entrepreneur-friendly framework can help unlock the full potential of Indo-German startup synergies.
You have spent over ten years building your career in Germany after completing your studies in India. What have been the most significant challenges and milestones in your professional and personal integration into German society?
In my opinion, the period from 2014 to 2025 can be seen in distinct phases: 2014–2018, 2018–2020, 2020–2022, and 2022–2025 – each marked by significant geopolitical developments that have directly or indirectly impacted Germany. These events have shaped not only international relations but also the lived experiences of individuals navigating professional and personal growth during these times.
On a personal level, these years have encompassed some major milestones: completing my PhD, pursuing postdoctoral research, and transitioning into my first industry role in Germany. Alongside this academic and professional journey, I’ve also taken on leadership roles in various non-profit and personal initiatives – experiences that have helped broaden my perspective and deepen my engagement with the community.
The path has indeed not been without challenges: from the setback of job loss to confronting systemic biases often faced by „Ausländer“ (foreigners). All these challenges and experiences have motivated me to contribute meaningfully to social causes. I believe such efforts not only build stronger connections with the local society but also foster mutual understanding and help bridge cultural and perceptual gaps.
From your experience, what are the biggest cultural or systemic hurdles that Indians face when working or living in Germany?
From my experience, one of the biggest challenges Indians face when moving to Germany is arriving with preset notions or idealized expectations about life abroad. This often leads to disappointment – particularly when there is an assumption that locals will always be open, flexible, or understanding of foreign cultures. While Germany is indeed welcoming in many ways, cultural integration is a two-way process that requires effort, patience, and open-mindedness from both sides.
What about the German language?
The language barrier continues indeed to be one of the most significant hurdles. It affects social integration but also impacts access to opportunities, services, and a deeper connection with the local community. Investing early in learning German – even at a basic conversational level – can make a substantial difference in both professional and personal life.
… and timelines?
Yes, a systemic challenge is the lengthy timelines for appointments, especially in areas like healthcare and childcare. These delays can be frustrating for newcomers used to more agile systems elsewhere. While these inefficiencies affect everyone, not just migrants, they often feel more intense to those unfamiliar with the structure or without local support networks.
… bureaucracy?
Finally, the bureaucratic complexity in Germany remains a persistent issue. Streamlining systems would benefit both locals and immigrants, but in the meantime, newcomers can ease their transition by proactively seeking information, connecting with local diaspora groups, and approaching integration with humility rather than entitlement.
How do you advise newcomers to overcome them effectively?
My advice to newcomers is simple: come with curiosity, not expectations. Focus on building mutual understanding, seek local perspectives, and stay open to learning. Over time, this mindset not only helps overcome initial hurdles but helps in a more fulfilling experience.
Which strategies or initiatives do you personally follow or promote to strengthen the bridge between Germany and India, both in the health sciences and broader business or cultural contexts?
Over the years, I’ve actively pursued a range of strategies and initiatives to strengthen the bridge between Germany and India – particularly in health sciences, business, and cultural exchange.
Promoting Indo-German Dialogue in Health Sciences:
I’m deeply involved in fostering collaboration between Indian and German stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. One example is my contribution to organizing the Indo-German Healthcare Congress, which brings together experts, policymakers, startups, and institutions to explore synergies in areas like AI in healthcare, precision medicine, genomics, and biotech. These platforms not only facilitate knowledge exchange but also spark new joint ventures and research partnerships.
Creating Access and Opportunities for Startups:
I actively support startup ecosystems from both countries in navigating cross-border opportunities—be it through mentoring, advising on market entry strategies, or facilitating B2B and B2C connections. I advocate for enabling frameworks, including smoother visa processes, sandboxing environments, and regulatory clarity, which are critical for startups to thrive internationally.
Building Cultural and Professional Networks:
I consistently engage with diaspora networks, student groups, and non-profit platforms to help Indian professionals integrate better in Germany. This includes hosting workshops, cultural events, and mentoring sessions that bridge expectations and improve intercultural understanding. These grassroots initiatives help reduce biases and build long-term trust at the community level.
Advocating Policy-Level Engagement:
Where possible, I contribute to bilateral policy discussions highlighting systemic challenges and proposing practical solutions from the ground. Whether it’s data sharing norms, joint R&D incentives, or health tech regulations, I believe that informed, stakeholder-driven dialogue is essential to making Indo-German cooperation sustainable and impactful.
In all these efforts, my core belief remains that sustainable partnerships are built on mutual respect, shared values, and a willingness to learn from each other.
What fascinates you most about Germany, both professionally and personally?
I am fascinated by Germany’s remarkable journey through history and its ability to rebuild, reform, and emerge as a global leader after some of the most difficult periods in modern history. The country’s resilience, commitment to progress, and dedication to democratic values are deeply inspiring.
On a more personal level, I greatly admire the honesty, discipline, and work ethic of many Germans I’ve had the privilege to work and interact with. These values resonate strongly with my own principles—both professionally and personally—and have helped me feel a deeper connection to the society here.
How has this fascination influenced your dedication to fostering German Indian relationships?
This alignment of values has kept my motivation alive to not only contribute meaningfully to German society but also serve as a bridge between Germany and India. Whether it’s through professional collaboration, cultural engagement, or supporting the diaspora, my fascination with Germany continues to fuel my dedication to strengthening Indo-German relationships in a sincere and sustainable way.
How do you see the role of artificial intelligence evolving in healthcare, particularly in the context of German Indian collaborations?
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming a seamless part of our daily lives—almost like the air we breathe. This presents an extraordinary opportunity to build something meaningful that will positively impact future generations. In healthcare, the pace of AI adoption is accelerating, as reflected by the recent milestone of over 1,000 FDA-approved AI-based medical devices.
In this context, India and Germany—two trusted partners—bring together complementary strengths. Germany offers strong infrastructure, regulatory rigor, and technological leadership, while India contributes with scale, talent, and a diverse innovation ecosystem. Together, they are uniquely positioned to drive impactful AI-driven healthcare innovations.
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for AI-driven innovation between the two countries?
There is significant potential to establish a dedicated Indo-German AI Forum to develop guiding principles for bilateral collaboration in AI, especially in healthcare. Such a platform could help harmonize standards, address regulatory and ethical challenges, and enable joint R&D. While systemic challenges like data sharing and compliance frameworks remain, these can be tackled through focused project-based cooperation that eventually scales into a broader bilateral framework.
Current Indo-German collaborations already span critical areas such as diagnostics, pharma Global Capability Centers (GCCs), manufacturing, precision medicine, genomics, biotech, and life sciences. These provide a strong foundation to further integrate AI in meaningful ways.
In this regard, we are proud to have hosted the Indo-German Healthcare Congress in Berlin from 17th to 19th July, with a special focus on AI in Healthcare on 18th July, featuring distinguished guests and thought leaders from the field. This platform aims to foster deeper dialogue, innovation, and collaboration at the intersection of AI and healthcare between the two countries.
Thank you Jubin, it was a pleasure.
Most welcome.
Links:
- https://www.ginsep.co
- Deutsch-Indische Gründer:innen am Puls der Zeit
- Deutsch-indischer Medizinkongress: Fachkräfte, Digitalisierung, Versorgung
- German-Indian founders in tune with the times
- Indo-German healthcare congress: workforce, digitalization, healthcare delivery
- Künstliche Intelligenz im Fokus: 14. Hanseatic India Colloquium bringt Expert:innen aus Indien und Deutschland zusammen
