Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the founder of Info Edge and a respected voice in the Indian startup ecosystem, has spoken out in defense of entrepreneurs facing increasing criticism. In a recent statement, he emphasized that startup founders take huge personal and financial risks to build their companies and should not be unfairly judged for setbacks or failures. His comments come amid growing scrutiny of Indian startups and their business models.
Bikhchandani, best known for founding Naukri.com, one of India’s most successful job portals, took to social media and interviews to express his views. He said, “Being a startup founder is not easy. These individuals often leave behind high-paying jobs, take loans, and invest years of their life into a business that might or might not succeed. That risk should be respected, not ridiculed.“
His comments are being viewed as a powerful message to critics who have been questioning the sustainability, governance, and performance of startups in recent times. From layoffs and funding crunches to valuation corrections, many startups in India have seen challenging times over the past year. However, Bikhchandani believes that these struggles are a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey.
“There will be ups and downs,” he said. “Some ventures will succeed, and others may fail. But each effort contributes to building a vibrant startup ecosystem.”
India’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly in the past decade, becoming the third-largest in the world. With thousands of startups being launched each year and billions of dollars in venture capital flowing in, the sector has become a key driver of innovation, employment, and economic growth. But with that growth has also come criticism – about high burn rates, excessive valuations, and flawed governance.
Bikhchandani acknowledges that while some criticism is valid and necessary to ensure accountability, it should not become a blanket statement against all founders. “Yes, there have been mistakes. There have been some bad actors. But we must not paint everyone with the same brush,” he stated.
He also highlighted that many successful startups today went through periods of doubt and instability. “Even Naukri had tough times,” he recalled. “There were moments when we didn’t know if we’d survive. But we persisted. That persistence is what builds long-term success.”
This perspective from a seasoned entrepreneur is resonating strongly within the startup community. Several founders, investors, and industry experts shared his post and expressed gratitude for his support. “It’s refreshing to see someone speak up for entrepreneurs,” said a Bangalore-based tech startup founder. “We often feel like we’re alone when things go wrong.”
Critics, however, argue that while founders do take risks, they are also responsible for their decisions and must face consequences when those decisions fail. They point to cases of mismanagement, inflated valuations, and poor corporate governance that have impacted investors and employees alike.
But Bikhchandani believes that supporting founders does not mean ignoring accountability. “Of course, there must be transparency and responsibility,” he said. “But we must also encourage and nurture entrepreneurial spirit. If we discourage risk-taking, we will kill innovation.”
He suggested that instead of tearing down startups that struggle, the focus should be on helping them learn and recover. “Failure should be a stepping stone, not a dead end,” he noted. “Many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs failed before they succeeded.”
As India pushes for more homegrown innovation and self-reliance under initiatives like “Startup India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” voices like Bikhchandani’s are crucial in shaping a supportive ecosystem. He called on policymakers, investors, media, and the public to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of founders.
“Celebrate success, but also appreciate the effort behind failure,” he said. “That’s the only way we build a truly resilient startup culture.”
The timing of Bikhchandani’s comments is significant. The past year has seen high-profile startup troubles, from funding winter to major layoffs and governance issues. Amidst this, the morale of many entrepreneurs has taken a hit. His statement serves as a morale booster and a reminder of why people choose to build startups in the first place: passion, innovation, and the desire to create something meaningful.
He also addressed the role of media and public opinion in shaping perceptions. “Let’s not turn failure into shame. Let’s have more empathy and less judgment,” he urged.
Startups are inherently risky ventures. Most do not succeed on the first try. But every attempt adds to the collective knowledge and maturity of the ecosystem. That’s why founders, even those who fail, deserve respect. Bikhchandani’s message is clear: “We need more people to take the plunge. If we keep criticizing those who try, fewer people will want to try.”
He cited global examples to support his point. “Look at Silicon Valley. It celebrates risk-takers. Many billion-dollar companies today were once failures. But they learned, pivoted, and built better products.”
In India too, several successful entrepreneurs have bounced back from failures. From Flipkart to Paytm, from Ola to Zomato, the journey of building a company is full of ups and downs. Bikhchandani believes that these stories are important to share to inspire the next generation of founders.
“We need to tell more stories of resilience,” he said. “We need to talk about how people overcame failures. That’s what motivates others.”
His call to support founders has started a broader conversation in India’s entrepreneurial circles. Many are now discussing how to build a more forgiving and learning-oriented culture. Investors are talking about offering more mentorship and long-term support. Incubators and accelerators are planning workshops on resilience and emotional well-being.
Sanjeev Bikhchandani’s defense of startup founders is more than just a response to critics—it’s a call for cultural change. It’s about building a startup ecosystem where risk is respected, failure is tolerated, and learning is celebrated.As India aims to become a global innovation hub, the role of supportive voices like his becomes even more important. He ends with a powerful message: “To those who try and fail, we say: Thank you for trying. Try again. We believe in you.“
