Siddharth Deshmukh on Bridging India-Japan Business Through Innovation and Trust and Building ShimBi Labs

Tokyo, June 21 2025

Siddharth Deshmukh stands at the crossroads of technology, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural diplomacy. As the Founder and CEO of ShimBi Labs and the President of the Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC), he has carved a unique path that blends Indian ingenuity with Japanese precision.

Siddharth Deshmukh, Founder and CEO of ShimBi Labs & President of the Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC)

In an exclusive interview interaction with Japancalling.in in Tokyo, Siddharth shares the remarkable story of how a spontaneous backpacking trip to Japan in 2000 evolved into a lifelong entrepreneurial journey. What began with curiosity and freelance gigs soon blossomed into ShimBi Labs, a tech company deeply rooted in Japanese values of precision, trust, and quiet discipline.

From navigating cultural nuances to building a reputation in a foreign market, Siddharth’s insights are a masterclass in how to build lasting partnerships and scale innovation internationally. With nearly 80% of ShimBi Labs’ work still coming from Japan, his experience offers not just business wisdom but a blueprint for creating sustainable, cross-border success.

This conversation goes beyond conventional business talk it's about mindset, cultural fluency, and the quiet power of showing up.

 Q. When and at what stage in your life did you consider Japan as a destination for business? What factors influenced your decision to expand or start your venture in Japan?

A. In 2000, fresh out of university and armed with nothing but a backpack and big dreams, I landed in Japan with zero plans just a burning curiosity. I was teaching myself Apple development, fascinated by Japanese tech culture. Over those three immersive months, I wasn’t just sightseeing, I was meeting entrepreneurs, diving into business conversations, and suddenly found myself moonlighting as a web/app consultant. Those freelance gigs planted the seed that eventually became Shimbi Labs.

 By 2005, after securing a large project, I officially launched Shimbi in Yokohama, then shifted the core operations to India but the heart of our business remained in Japan. In 2008, we opened our full-fledged Japan office. It all started as a spark during that backpacking journey, not a strategic pivot. And I believe that makes it genuinely yours.

Q. How has this journey changed your perspective as an entrepreneur? What have you personally learned from working and living in Japan?

A. Unlike most Indian founders who start locally and then zoom out, my journey flipped that script I first learned to build a business in Japan, and then exported those learnings globally. That meant absorbing a deep respect for patience, process, and perfection.

 Living in Japan taught me to slow down, to do things the right way to sweat the small stuff, embrace quiet discipline, and build trust brick by brick. This foundational mindset became our secret weapon back in India and set standards that now define Shimbi’s identity worldwide.

Q. As an Indian entrepreneur, is it difficult to build trust and relationships with local partners, clients, or customers?

A. Yes initially, being a “foreigner” means you don’t get the benefit of the doubt. You need to earn trust through consistent delivery, respect, and polish. But here’s the flip side: once you prove yourself, you get rewarded in multiplier fashion.

 Our philosophy prioritize quality over speed, go deep over chasing hype resonated deeply in Japan. Today, around 80% of Shimbi’s work still comes from Japanese clients. They value our reliability, our “just works” ethos, and our refusal to compromise on craftsmanship. That trust didn’t come easy or fast but once it’s there, it sticks.

Q. What is your message to Indian entrepreneurs or startups thinking of entering the Japanese market? Any practical tips or cultural insights?

A. Skip the usual advice you’ve heard it all. Here’s what I wish someone had told me:

• Be a curiosity sponge, not a spreadsheet shark. Your first months aren’t for deals they’re for learning silent cues, admiration of subtle beauty, and the art of refined restraint.

• Think “Kaizen before IPO.” Before you chase the next funding round, perfect one detail at a time a pixel, a handshake, a habit.

• Don’t just localize cultural-ize. It’s more than language or product tweaks; it’s understanding why a minimalist UI speaks louder than a flashier one, why business calls begin with a bow, and why showing up is winning half the battle.

•  Fail small, invisibly. In Japan, small failures aren’t shameful they’re expected. The trick is to fix before anyone notices, without losing face on either side.

• Make your name, not just your product, sing in Japanese. Shimbi works because it’s easy to pronounce, meaningful, and memorable. That first buzz “Shim‑bee Labs?” is marketing gold.

For Indian entrepreneurs eyeing Japan or any foreign market the real takeaway lies in embracing the local heartbeat while staying true to one’s vision. As Siddharth proves, when innovation is grounded in cultural intelligence and patient craftsmanship, the possibilities aren’t just global they’re enduring.

More resources: www.shimbilabs.com ; www.ijbc.org ; sid@shim-bi.com