Highlighting the strength of the American startup ecosystem, Perplexity CEO and co-founder Aravind Srinivas said the United States continues to offer the best environment for entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into successful businesses.
His remarks come as stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration continue to fuel discussions around the future of the American dream.
Speaking on the 1 July episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the Indian-born entrepreneur said the US stands out because it encourages people to take risks, challenge conventional career paths, and build companies from the ground up.
“I always thought America’s the only country where you can come here and have an idea, and people listen to you and encourage you to go pursue it. The risk-seeking culture is just incredible,” Srinivas said.
He added that, in many other countries, people are often expected to follow authority rather than question established norms.
“Everywhere else, you kind of are either explicitly or implicitly forced to defer to authority,” he said.
Aravind Srinivas, who grew up in India before moving to the US to study at the University of California, Berkeley, co-founded AI-powered search startup Perplexity in 2022. Reflecting on his early years in the US, he said many students viewed Google as their dream employer. However, he was more inspired by people launching startups that could compete with established technology companies.
He also praised the academic culture in the US, saying universities encourage students to question assumptions, debate ideas, and accept constructive feedback. “That spirit of questioning is encouraged a lot here,” Srinivas said, recalling that professors and fellow students regularly shared honest feedback on his work.
When podcast host Joe Rogan asked whether India offered a similar environment, Srinivas said it would be inaccurate to claim such a culture exists only in the US. However, he added, “it’s not as encouraged.”
Explaining his view of the American dream, Srinivas said it is not only about financial success but also about living in a society where ambitious ideas are heard and innovators are given a fair chance to bring them to life. According to him, that culture of openness is “why America’s still at the top.”
His comments come as entrepreneurs and technology leaders continue to debate whether the US remains the preferred destination for building startups amid tighter immigration rules and changing visa policies. Earlier this year, Srinivas also participated in the H-1B visa debate, saying policymakers should focus more on illegal immigration rather than restricting skilled worker visas. He also stated that Indian technology professionals have faced layoffs and that immigration policies should be based on merit and evidence instead of nationality.
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