What's your anti-startup

I don't do anti portfolios, I just don't get interviews

Razorpay in 2018 😭

I kid you not, back in 2019 i was offered CTO by 2 college kids building an app for teenagers only that works with a custom branded credit card with IDFC first bank.

I was on a video call with the two kids, i was so LMAO-ing on their idea and passed on, i was SDE 2 back then.

Fuck, few months passed by and they became huge success monetary wise.

These 2 kids were the founders.

This event changed me.

Now i by default respect anyone of any age and any background whom I see doing their own thing.

Sometimes I try to be mildly intrusive and probe for opportunities where I can help them and be in their good books.

Dunno, literally anyone can be an overnight success in india.

In my life now I'm optimising for the fact that next time when a person needs help to do something of their own and no one is believing them, I want to be the first person to help.

Kind of like always keeping a glass jar with me to catch wherever lightening strikes, because it can strike anywhere and to anyone.

Recko. Got acq by stripe recently.

Meesho. I did not join them and took another offer instead. Since then they’ve done too well - 2 more rounds of funding

I have many in my list:

2018 - Dailyhunt.

2020 - Apna ( Joining was March 15 2020, rejected, then Covid started and within a year it was Unicorn )

2021 - MPL & Hippi ( Zee5 )

Not a startup, but had an opportunity to join Entrepreneur First when they were just setting up in India

Not the biggest incubator, but would have been an interesting journey to be a part of building from the basics at that stage, did not appreciate it as much

Cred. It’s like I’m shorting a stock since I don’t see the value.. but it just keeps on going up

I got an offer from Rapido. I was very skeptical and asked the interviewer how they'll survive between Uber and Ola. Turns out I didn't know their riders would get away because they weren't a big name back then. They fought it Travis style. Heard Pavan Gungupalli speak recently on. Pretty ballsy startup to be a part of. And their UX is also better than both Ola Uber. Should've joined :/

My biggest ones-

Had an offer from Firstcry back in 2014! I rejected due to package.

Got offer from WhiteHatJr which was sold to Byjus for $400m

I did not want to go into education hence rejected the offer!

Now I have to learn everyday!