Startup publication Tech In Asia, which expanded into India towards the end of 2015 is now cutting back on its Indian operations. We'd heard from sources yesterday, following layoffs in its India operations, that the publication is pulling out of India, but it denied that, telling MediaNama (full statement below) that it will keep an editorial staff of 3 in India to provide coverage for an international audience. Its website, at the time of writing this report, lists 8 people in India. It is also canceling its Bangalore conference, as it doesn't think that will "be sustainable on a unit economics basis". When it launched in India, Tech In Asia had hired 6 journalists in India, and said that "we’re confident that there is a place for us to serve and build the startup ecosystem of one of Asia’s most promising markets." The editorial shift, it appears from the statement, will be about covering India for an international audience, instead of India for the Indian ecosystem. That, however, doesn't mean that it won't be back. The company says it will consider expanding its presence in India in the future, but "If we do, it’ll have to be done on a basis that is scalable, sustainable, and provides maximum value to the Indian ecosystem." This isn't the first instance of a startup publication weaning away from the Indian market: back in 2013, post an event, TechCrunch had decided to scrap its event partnership in India, and decided against investing in India.…
