‘Jaanta Hai Tera Baap Kaun Hai?’: Why Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s Father Said He Can’t Do A Startup
The journey to success is often riddled with doubts, skepticism, and countless challenges. Such was the case for Deepinder Goyal, the visionary behind Zomato, a major success story in the startup world, and a celebrated name among Indian entrepreneurs. Goyal’s entrepreneurial path was met with concern from an unexpected source – his own father, who skeptically inquired, “Jaanta hai tera baap kaun hai?”
This question, though seemingly simple, underscored a significant doubt about the feasibility of Goyal’s startup dreams, making his eventual success an inspirational tale for many.
During his talk at a government event called Vishesh Sampark, Goyal took a trip down memory lane to the early days of Zomato.
Goyal reminisced, “I started Zomato 16 years ago in 2008.” Recalling the initial skepticism he faced, he shared that his father was doubtful about the success of his startup venture. His father’s inquiry was not just a question about identity but underscored a deeper concern stemming from their modest background in Punjab. It reflected the prevailing uncertainties and challenges Goyal had to navigate to realize his dream.
“My dad at that time told me ‘Jaanta hai tera baap kaun hai?’ And, his point was, ‘You can’t do a startup.’ Right. And… I come from a small town in Punjab… that’s the background,” Goyal elaborated, highlighting the humble beginnings from which he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey.
Despite the odds, Goyal’s persistence and vision have not only proven his doubters wrong but have also contributed to changing the startup landscape in India dramatically. He observed that the startup scenario in India has evolved significantly over the last 16 years, especially in the past seven to ten years. Goyal expressed his gratitude towards the government for its role in nurturing a more favorable environment for startups.
Born in a modest family in Muktsar, Punjab, Goyal’s academic journey took him from DAV College, Chandigarh, to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, where he graduated in 2005 with a B.Tech degree in Mathematics and Computing.
Goyal’s entrepreneurial spark was ignited during his time at Bain & Company, where he noticed the difficulty his colleagues faced in ordering food from restaurants. Identifying a gap in the market for an online food delivery service that offered detailed information about restaurants, he set out to fill it.
Together with his colleague Pankaj Chaddah, Goyal launched Foodiebay.com in 2008, marking the beginning of what would become Zomato. The venture, rebranded as Zomato.com in 2010, quickly ascended to prominence in India’s food delivery sector. Zomato’s innovative model and user-friendly platform resonated well with users, turning it into a household name and a testament to Goyal’s entrepreneurial vision and resilience against the odds.
The skepticism of Goyal’s father, rather than deterring him, seems to have played a role in fueling his determination to succeed. His story is a powerful reminder of the potential within everyone, regardless of their origins, to make a significant impact in the world through perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering belief in one’s own abilities.
