Radhika Gupta warns startup founders against this growing trend in new businesses. 'Don't fall for it'
Radhika Gupta, the CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Funds, recently offered a candid reality check to aspiring entrepreneurs, urging them to be cautious of the 'startup romance' that often surrounds the business world. According to Gupta, there has been a growing trend in the country where the startup culture is portrayed in an overly idealistic light, with its challenges and hardships often ignored.
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The Illusion of Startup Life
Speaking about this phenomenon, Gupta said, «There is now an increased air of 'startup romance' that paints startup life as working in chiller attire out of a fancy co-working space, talking ideas all day, raising funding rounds, giving gyaan on social media, hosting Fri Eve drinks for colleagues. Don't fall for it.» Gupta emphasized that while this image might seem alluring, the reality of running a startup is far more demanding and less glamorous.
The CEO went on to highlight the stark contrast between the glossy startup image and the harsh truths of entrepreneurship. «Startup reality hits soon when entrepreneurs have to face painful execution, limited budgets, and even more limited working conditions, constant rejection, challenges in hiring and retention, pressure for revenue at any cost, and uncertainty for a very long period of time,» Gupta added. She stressed that the road to success is fraught with obstacles that many founders are not prepared for when they first embark on their journey.
