Bengaluru CEO says he raised Rs 120 crore but was still 'broke, worried about rent'

India Today

02-05-2025

A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur has revealed that he was living paycheck to paycheck even after raising Rs 120 crore in funding for his startup in 2019.Harsh Pokharna, co-founder and CEO of digital ledger app OkCredit, shared a post on LinkedIn in which he wrote about the personal struggles faced by startup founders.'In 2019, even after raising Rs 120 crore Series A for OkCredit, I was broke. I was living paycheck to paycheck. Had no savings and was still worrying about rent in Bangalore,' Pokharna said.advertisement
His admission is more than just a personal anecdote - it's a critique of the venture capital culture that, he argues, keeps early-stage founders financially insecure. Pokharna also claimed that several venture capitalists resist offering founders any personal liquidity, fearing it will dull their drive.'Because VCs want founders to stay poor. A founder with money becomes dangerous. Dangerous enough to say no. Dangerous enough to walk away. Dangerous enough to build on their own terms,' he added.Pokharna also wrote about the contradiction in how investors often pour millions into serial entrepreneurs with financial cushions, while expecting first-time founders to endure financial stress in the name of ambition.'Apparently, money only kills ambition when it's in your hands. Not theirs,' he said.Take a look at the post here:Several users found Pokharna's post 'really insightful' and said that it 'hits hard'.advertisement'The illusion of startup success often hides the personal struggles of founders. Financial freedom isn't a luxury. It's a necessity for fearless innovation,' a user said.Another comment read: 'A slow path towards financial security doesn't kill ambition, it kills fear. And that's the part no one talks about.'Harsh Pokharna concluded his post with valuable advice for entrepreneurs: 'So, if you're a founder, don't let anyone shame you into staying poor. Build your dream. But build your freedom too.'Tune InMust Watch