At Sonatype, innovation knows no borders. We're excited to announce the opening of our new engineering hub in Hyderabad, India — a strategic milestone in our commitment to scale global innovation and deliver continuous value to our customers around the world.
This new center strengthens Sonatype's 24/7 delivery model at a time when open source security threats are evolving rapidly, AI is reshaping the software landscape, and organizations are embracing continuous development practices. Our India team will play a key role in accelerating product development, advancing our AI-driven capabilities, enhancing customer responsiveness, and extending engineering excellence worldwide.
To lead this effort, we've welcomed Abhishek Chauhan as Senior Director of Technology and Head of India. With experience scaling global engineering teams at Lending Tree and Wells Fargo, Abhishek will oversee the rapid growth of India's team. These team members will work across the Sonatype Platform alongside peers across the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
To share more about what this expansion means — for Sonatype, our customers, and the software supply chain community — we sat down with Abhishek to discuss his vision, leadership philosophy, and why now is a defining moment for software innovation.
What inspired you to join Sonatype, and what excites you most about leading the company's India operations?
What truly inspired me about Sonatype was the genuine vision and commitment from the entire leadership team towards building something special in India. I've always believed that India's incredible talent can go far beyond executing tasks — it can become a global hub for innovation and research. Joining Sonatype gives me a chance to lead exactly that kind of transformation, creating something unique and exciting here from the ground up.
How do you view India's role in the global software supply chain, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for Sonatype in this market?
India is already playing a vital role in global technology, and I believe its position in the software supply chain is only going to strengthen. Indian companies are rapidly adopting cutting-edge software practices, and cybersecurity has become critical. For Sonatype, this is a huge opportunity — not just to grow our presence but to truly shape how software is built, secured, and trusted, while also influencing global security practices from a vibrant, fast-evolving market.
What are your initial priorities as you establish and grow Sonatype's presence in India?
My immediate priorities revolve around people and culture. First, building the right team — attracting talented people who share our passion for innovation and excellence. Next, fostering an environment where creativity, collaboration, and empowerment thrive. Ultimately, my goal is to build a center that's not just productive, but also an inspiring place to work and innovate.
How do you see the conversation around software supply chain security evolving in India — especially in light of AI adoption and new regulatory focus?
The conversation around software security in India is becoming increasingly sophisticated, driven by the rapid growth of AI and emerging regulatory frameworks such as CERT-In and SEBI's Cyber Resilience Framework. Organizations are beginning to recognize that security is no longer an afterthought — it's central to their success, resilience, and reputation. AI and automation have fundamentally shifted the landscape. With software being created faster and at greater complexity than ever before, manual security checks are no longer viable. What companies need now are automated, real-time solutions that can proactively manage risk and ensure compliance at scale. India, with its rapid adoption of next-gen technologies, has a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional security approaches and embrace AI-driven, automated security practices from the ground up. As AI continues to accelerate the pace of software development, Sonatype's mission to automate software security becomes even more relevant. We're well-positioned to support organizations in India as they navigate this shift and to help define modern security best practices across industries.
On a personal note, what values or leadership philosophies guide you as you scale a new regional business?
I firmly believe leadership is about creating clarity, trust, and empowerment. My approach has always been people-first — I strive to build environments where people feel inspired to do their best work. This involves listening deeply, being transparent, nurturing diverse talent, and ensuring the team understands the broader purpose behind what we do. When people see meaning in their work, extraordinary things happen.
What drew you to the field of software security in the first place, and how has your perspective evolved over time?
Initially, my interest in software security stemmed from understanding its critical role in the success and trustworthiness of software products. Over the years, my perspective evolved significantly — I realized security isn't just about technology; it's fundamental to business resilience and customer trust. Today, I see software security as integral to any meaningful innovation, aligning perfectly with Sonatype's mission.
What's one lesson or experience that has shaped your leadership approach in fast-growing tech environments?
One critical lesson I've learned is that scaling an organization is not just about technology or processes — it's fundamentally about scaling culture. Early in my career, I saw that focusing purely on speed without clarity and purpose can create lasting challenges. Ever since, I prioritize transparency, alignment, and cultural strength as much as technological innovation, which has repeatedly proven crucial in high-growth environments.
Building the future of secure software together
Sonatype's Hyderabad office is more than just a new location. It's a launchpad for innovation, collaboration, and growth. With Abhishek Chauhan at the helm and a clear vision for scaling culture, talent, and technical excellence, our India team is set to play an essential role in shaping the future of software supply chain security.
As we grow our global presence, we remain deeply committed to transforming how the world builds and secures software by advancing open source AI development practices and enabling intelligent innovation at scale. With a world-class team now growing in India, that mission is stronger and more global than ever.
Want to be part of this exciting journey? Explore career opportunities at Sonatype India and help us shape the future of secure, AI-powered intelligent software from the ground up.
.png?width=150&height=150&name=SON_logo_profilepict@2x%20(1).png){kind=logo}
Try Nexus Repository Free Today
Sonatype Nexus Repository is the world’s most trusted artifact repository manager. Experience the difference and download Community Edition for free.