US CEO Surprised by Bata Store at AI Summit

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi has attracted global technology leaders, founders and policymakers. Among them was US-based CEO Sara Hooker, who shared an unexpected moment from her visit to the capital.

Hooker, co-founder and CEO of Adaption in San Francisco, posted on X that she was surprised to see a store of the footwear brand Bata in Delhi.

“I grew up with Bata shoes in Eswatini and in Mozambique. Had no idea it was such a universal brand,” she wrote, sharing a photo of the store.

A Childhood Memory in Delhi

Hooker’s post quickly gained attention online. She said she wore Bata shoes during her childhood in Eswatini and Mozambique, but was unaware of the brand’s widespread global presence.

Founded in 1894 in Zlín, Czechoslovakia, by Thomas Bata, the company has grown into a multinational footwear retailer. Today, Bata operates thousands of retail outlets worldwide and works with independent dealers and franchise partners across multiple countries.

Many social media users responded with nostalgia. Several commented that they had grown up wearing Bata shoes, especially as school footwear. Some even noted that many people in India assume Bata is an Indian brand because of its long presence in the country.

Glimpses from Delhi Visit

Hooker also shared other moments from her Delhi trip. In one post, she shared a photo taken during traffic with India Gate visible in the background.

In another post, she highlighted the popular Indian biscuit brand Parle-G, calling it “the most consumed biscuit in the entire world.”

About the AI Summit

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will continue until February 21. The event has been described as one of the largest gatherings focused on artificial intelligence.

The summit was inaugurated earlier this week and later opened to the public, according to official advisories. It has brought together international delegates to discuss innovation, policy and the future of AI.

While technology discussions dominate the agenda, Hooker’s post about Bata has added a lighter, nostalgic touch to the global event.