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Bombay Shaving Company CEO Shantanu Deshpande compares Bengaluru’s startup culture to Kota’s IIT coaching, labeling it an “ecosystem delusion”.
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He warns that the culture breeds entitlement among founders, distracting them from core business challenges.
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Deshpande advises founders to distance themselves from the ecosystem’s distractions and focus on their business operations.
Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, has sparked a debate with his LinkedIn post criticizing Bengaluru’s startup culture. He compared it to Kota’s IIT coaching scene, where students believed proximity to coaching centers guaranteed success. Similarly, Deshpande argues that many founders in Bengaluru think being part of the startup scene ensures success.
Deshpande warns that this mentality creates an unhealthy sense of entitlement among founders, making them focus on trivial issues rather than core business challenges. He advises founders to stay grounded and prioritize their businesses over the allure of the startup culture.
Deshpande’s post has received mixed reactions, but his message is clear: success requires focused effort and a clear vision, not just being in the right place. He encourages founders to find mentors outside Bengaluru and distance themselves from the ecosystem’s distractions.
