“This won’t work in India” — they said

I still remember the day I almost quit.

I was pitching this crazy idea — something no one had tried before. The meeting room was silent. Then someone across the table said, “Sounds cool. But this won’t work in India.”

Not this might not work. Not let’s explore further. Just a flat rejection rooted in… the country?

That day stuck with me. Not because they said no. But because it wasn’t the product they doubted. It was the possibility.

And I realized something.

We don’t just need better startups in India. We need a better culture around startups.

Let me explain.

India is a land full of brilliant ideas and talented people. But here's the kicker: we don’t believe in our own. We’re a default-skeptical country. Especially when someone’s building something new.

The moment you step out of the conventional path, people raise eyebrows. Startups are questioned. Founders are doubted.

“Will this work here?”
“Is this even necessary?”
“Why don’t you do something safe?”
We think we’re being practical. But really?

We’re scared.

Of failing. Of being judged. Of trying something no one understands yet. But the bigger issue?

We don’t just fear failure. We punish it. In India, a failed venture sticks like a tattoo. Founders are labeled. Careers stall. Social approval dries up.

Compare that with Silicon Valley, where failed founders get funded again. Because failure there is seen as learning. As proof you tried.

Here, it’s a warning sign. An “I told you so.”

And that’s a problem.

Because you can’t innovate without risk. And you can’t take risk if your entire identity collapses when something flops. We love quoting Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.

But forget — they failed first. Loudly. Publicly. And then were backed again.

Merit doesn’t move the needle as much as connections do.

I’ll be blunt: In India, your network often matters more than your idea. You could be building something incredible.

But if you don’t know the right VC, don’t have a big college name, or haven’t already “made it”, getting that first cheque or even a job offer can be brutal.

Seven years ago, when I built my second startup, I sent 70+ cold emails.

The one investor who replied? Wasn’t from India. He was from San Fransisco.

Here, if you’re unknown, you’re invisible. And that’s killing far too many brilliant ideas before they even begin.

India doesn’t lack talent. It lacks belief in talent that hasn’t already succeeded.

But if you're someone building something bold today, without the tag, without the network, maybe even without a full-time team — I want you to hear this:

You are not the problem. The culture is.

Even my cousin sister who has sold a couple of her innovations to some tech giants in India advised me to not startup.

Here’s the irony: I’d already sold El Mejor.

But since the buyer wasn’t a VC or a flashy startup name, no one called it an “exit.” Just a regular business sale.

And in India, that doesn’t get you a seat at the table.

Don’t let skepticism dull your ambition. Don’t let one rejection convince you your idea is worthless. And for the love of god, don’t let failure stop you from trying again.

Because the world isn’t changed by the safe or the sensible. It’s changed by people who try — even when nobody believes in them.

I’m one of those people.

And if you are too, know that I see you. I believe in you.

Let’s build anyway.

Launch Your Amazon Product to $100K+ in Revenue—Fast!

Stack Influence helps you scale your new Amazon product launches into six-figure success stories. Automate thousands of micro-influencer collaborations monthly—no influencer fees, just authentic content paid with your products. Trusted by top brands, Stack Influence boosts external traffic, organic rankings, and delivers engaging UGC, all fully managed so you can focus on growth.

Get 10% OFF this month!