IIT Grad leaves ₹28 LPA high-paying job for startup dream, invests ₹10–12 lakh and opens up about the reality no one talks about

An IIT graduate who left a high-paying job worth Rs 28 lakh per annum (LPA) to build a startup has shared an honest reflection on the challenges of India’s startup ecosystem. His post highlights the gap between perception and reality for aspiring founders.

“Startup Ecosystem Feels Broken”
Sharing his experience, the founder said: "The whole “startup ecosystem” in India feels deeply broken. It’s marketed as this meritocratic, innovation-driven space, but in reality, it often runs on connections, optics, and gatekeeping."


Financial Risks and Personal Investment
Talking about his journey so far, he said: "I left a Rs 28 LPA job to build something I genuinely believed in. Over the last 11 months, I've spent around Rs 10-12 lakh on product development, salaries, and trying to raise funds. On top of that, I paid lakhs in total to pitch deck reviewing firms, fundraising consultants, and a few bootcamps. I won't name them, but most delivered little to no real value."

Despite investing heavily, he felt that many paid services did not provide meaningful returns.

Lack of Meaningful Support

The founder also pointed out the lack of actionable guidance in the ecosystem:

"Hard truth, if you don't have strong connections, your chances drop massively. I'm from an IIT background, so I still have a safety net. I'm getting job offers again. But many people won't have that cushion. For them, this path can be financially and mentally devastating."

He emphasized that without the right connections, building a startup becomes significantly harder, especially for those without financial backup.

Rethinking the Startup Dream
Reflecting on his experience, he advised caution: "At this point, I genuinely feel a stable job is a better choice for most people in India than chasing the startup dream blindly. At least you build financial security and optionality," said the user.

Despite the challenges, he hasn’t completely given up: "As for me, I'm not done building. But I'm reconsidering where I build from. I'll probably try to move into a more mature ecosystem like Silicon Valley to raise funds and continue. If you're thinking of quitting your job for a startup, just be very, very sure. This path is not what it's sold as."

Others Share Similar Experiences

The post resonated with many, including another IIT graduate who commented: "Cannot agree more. I am in the same boat. I am an IIT grad just like you and left a job that paid 80 LPA. The product I work on is a core tech product."

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.