Indian American creators have secured key spots on the 2026 TIME100 Creators list, which honors top global digital leaders, tastemakers, and online visionaries. This year’s compilation showcases two voices from the diaspora: podcaster Dwarkesh Patel and digital media entrepreneur Shama Hyder.
Born in Vadodara in the Indian state of Gujarat, Dwarkesh Patel immigrated to the United States with his family at age 8.
His father, a physician, moved the family across several states, including North Dakota, West Virginia, Maryland, and Texas, before Patel attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied computer science.
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While in college, Patel launched an early version of his interview show, initially called The Lunar Society, which eventually evolved into the Dwarkesh Podcast.
The platform features extended, highly technical discussions on artificial intelligence, science, and public policy, attracting major guests across tech and government, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Satya Nadella.
Also featured on the list is Shama Hyder, a digital marketing entrepreneur. Born in Goa, India, Hyder immigrated to the U.S. with her family at age 9, settling in Dallas, Texas.
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Her parents were both entrepreneurs, instilling an early work ethic that led her to graduate from R.L. Turner High School before earning a master’s degree in organizational communication and technology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Hyder launched her digital agency, Zen Media (originally Marketing Zen Group), in 2009 at age 23 after recognizing early opportunities in business social media strategy. Her firm has since expanded into a global brand serving major corporate clients, while Hyder has authored several books on digital strategy and frequently speaks on media innovation.
The inclusion of Patel and Hyder on the TIME100 Creators list depicts the continued influence of Indian-origin voices in media, tech, and digital entrepreneurship.