Mangaluru, Karnataka, India: Left U.S. to Chase American-Indian Dream: Entrepreneur Inspires H-1B Holders to Return Home

Former H-1B visa holder Prashanth Shenoy calls leaving the United States “the best decision” of his life.

Prashanth Shenoy, an entrepreneur and co-founder of the legal technology firm UniCourt, has sparked widespread discussion online after recounting his journey from working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa to returning to India to pursue what he describes as the “American-Indian (AI) dream.”

In a recent post on X, Shenoy shared his reflections on leaving a secure career in the U.S. to follow his entrepreneurial ambitions in India. “I once held an H-1B visa,” he wrote. “I had an excellent software engineering job in the U.S., after my F1 visa, and built amazing products. I loved the work I did.”

Shenoy revealed that in 2010, he made the bold choice to resign, sell his car, and move back to his hometown of Mangaluru, Karnataka. “One day in 2010, I decided to leave that job, sold my car, broke my lease, and within two weeks, I was back home in Mangaluru,” he shared, calling the move “the best decision” he ever made.

Four years after returning, he co-founded UniCourt alongside U.S.-based entrepreneur Josh Blandi. Today, the company, now in its eleventh year, has emerged as a leading platform for court case management and litigation analytics in the American legal tech sector, Shenoy noted.

Encouraging others to follow a similar path, he observed that an increasing number of professionals are now giving up their H-1B visas to build careers from India. “So don’t be afraid — today you can create not just the American dream but the American-Indian (AI) dream from India,” he wrote, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “AI Dream” remarks during a visit to the U.S.

Shenoy also highlighted other entrepreneurs taking comparable routes, including founders of Flashmates, Riffle, and SpotDraft, who are all developing products for global markets while based in India.

His post quickly gained traction, with many users describing his journey as “inspiring” and “a gentle nudge” for Indians working abroad. However, some readers questioned the financial preparedness and potential risks of relocating without a safety net.

Among the commenters was Anand Shreekar, founder and CEO of Engineersoft Inc. and Genesis.AI Inc., who emphasized that creating value transcends geography.

“It’s our choice where we reside. What matters most is the value we create wherever we are,” Shreekar wrote. He highlighted that he previously built high-tech steel plants across India and spent 25 years managing major enterprise projects in the U.S. Currently, he runs two tech firms in California and has filed three AI-based patents this year.

Another reader offered encouragement, stating, “The greatest fear is in our own mind. Once we overcome that, many possibilities open up, allowing us to shape our destiny.”

Shenoy’s reflections come at a time when more Indian professionals are reevaluating long-term plans abroad due to uncertainties in U.S. immigration policies. Rising H-1B visa fees, long green card backlogs, and large-scale layoffs in major tech companies have created instability for foreign workers. Data also indicate a decline in Indian participation in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, with fewer students choosing to stay in the U.S. after completing their studies.