Bengaluru CEO who raised Rs 120 crore funding shares why investors love 'poor' founders who live like college kids

Time of India

01-05-2025

Harsh Pokharna
, co-founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based
startup
OKCredit, revealed that he was broke and living paycheck to paycheck in 2019—even after raising Rs 120 crore in
funding
for his company. In a detailed LinkedIn post, Pokharna said this experience was not unique and criticised venture capitalists (VCs) for keeping startup founders under financial pressure.
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VCs prefer financially strained founders, says Pokharna
In his post, the IIT graduate wrote, 'VCs want founders to stay poor… So if you're a founder, don't let anyone shame you into staying poor.' He added, 'Founders raising millions, and still living like college kids. Stressed about survival.'
Pokharna said VCs often prefer that founders remain financially dependent, which gives them more control. 'A founder with money becomes dangerous,' he wrote. He explained that when founders have personal money, they gain the confidence to build businesses on their own terms and to disagree with investors.
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He criticised the resistance some founders face when seeking personal financial stability. 'If a founder dares to ask for a little personal liquidity to clear their loans, to finally stop living on the edge, they're told they might 'lose their hunger,'' Pokharna wrote.
He also pointed to a double standard in how funds are distributed. 'Meanwhile, the same VCs have no problem throwing millions at serial founders who have beach houses and retirement funds,' he said. 'Apparently, money only kills ambition when it's in your hands. Not theirs.'
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Message to founders: build freedom too
Pokharna encouraged founders to protect their financial well-being while pursuing their business goals. 'Don't let anyone shame you into staying poor. Build your dream. But build your freedom too,' he wrote.
Post strikes chord with startup community
Since its publication, the post has gone viral and triggered responses from other entrepreneurs and professionals. One user commented, 'The 'broke but building' phase is often glorified but the struggle is real. I've seen founders do incredible things while carrying silent financial anxiety.'
Another wrote, 'I've always believed that financial security doesn't dull ambition, it gives you the freedom to think clearer and build better. No founder should feel guilty for wanting peace of mind while building their dream. You can build impact and stability — it's not either-or. Thanks for calling this out so honestly.'
Others supported the message with similar sentiments. 'Can't agree more. It's such a taboo today if a founder tries to take a decent salary,' one said. Another added, 'This post is so real! The struggle of being a founder, constantly juggling financial pressures while trying to build a dream, hits hard.'