The startup culture in India has seen steady progress in the recent past, over the past decade, with better technological infrastructure in the form of cheaper internet and greater accessibility.

Startups and Success

In many cases, these startups go on to become unicorns, a term used for startups with a billion-dollar valuation. Some go even further to become bigger companies.

However, it is not as easy at it may always seem, or as it is portrayed by many. And this thought was underscored by Harsh Pokharna, the founder of OkCredit. Pokharna is based out of Bengaluru, which is known as the capital of startups and the hotbed for innovation and startup culture.

An ambitious Pokharna to make its big quit another major startup Flipkart.

Pokharna, a graduate IIT Kanpur, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, shared his story.

In his post on LinkedIn, Pokharana said, "I quit Flipkart to build a startup because I wanted to make a lot of money very quickly."

The Reality Check

It all appeared hunky-dory, as things appeared easy to Pokharana.

He attested that the founders were raising millions of dollars in funding all around me. It seemed easy.

But reality, like time, does not wait to spell the truth, and Pokharan learned it the hard way.

In his post he further added that he failed for the first 2 years, trying too much, with too little, spinning around and trying to work with 3 different ideas.

He admitted to burning through all his savings, and was even forced to freelance, just to survive.

According to him, he has been building OkCredit for 8 years now, and there is still a long way to go.

Some of the valuable lessons that Pokhrana drew from his experience was that startups do not mean instant success. In addition, tt’s a long-term game, not a get rich quick scheme.

He also added, "Play it only if you truly want to solve a problem, or you’ll end up disappointed."