The Rise, the Grit, and the Books Every Ambitious Reader Should Know
The stories of the founders of Indian startups fascinate anyone who wants to understand how India’s boldest companies were built. These journeys are raw, chaotic, and full of lessons you rarely find in business school. This blog breaks down some of the best books about Indian startups and the founders behind them. You’ll learn why these stories matter, what they reveal about ambition, and how they inspire readers who want to create value, start something brave, or simply understand the ecosystem better.
This list is perfect for entrepreneurs, young professionals, students, and curious readers who want to learn straight from the people who built India’s most exciting companies.
The Impact of the Indian Startup Ecosystem
India’s startup scene has moved from quiet experiments to global headlines. New founders have rewritten how we shop with Flipkart and Meesho, how we travel with Ola, how we pay with Paytm and PhonePe, how we dine with Zomato and Swiggy, and even how we upskill with Byju’s and Unacademy. Their stories show speed, grit, and a willingness to build in uncertain markets. These companies have generated jobs, shaped new behaviours, and created a culture where innovation feels accessible. Many founders now write books to share what they have learnt. Their stories are honest. They talk about fear, burnouts, breakthroughs, and the discipline needed to shape an idea into a real business.
Why the Stories of Founders Matter
Founders are not just builders. They are problem-solvers who learn to stay calm when everything breaks at once. Their books highlight what others don’t see: late-night doubts, high-risk decisions, messy pivots, and the emotional cost of leading a team. Readers get a front-row seat to bold experiments, failed bets, and surprising wins.
5 Must-Read Books About Indian Startups
By Megha Vishwanath
Founder: Zomato
This book pulls you into the private world of Deepinder Goyal, a founder who avoids the spotlight yet built one of India’s biggest tech companies. It is not a linear biography. Through hundreds of interviews, former journalist Megha Vishwanath uncovers the small-town boy who battled self-doubt and still built a public company. The story starts at Zomato’s stock market debut and moves backwards, revealing tough calls, broken systems, and the quiet resilience behind a giant brand.
By Mukesh Bansal
Founder: Myntra, Cure.fit (Cult Fit)
Mukesh Bansal uses two decades of experience to decode the messy world of building companies from scratch. He explains how ideas evolve, why product-market fit matters more than passion, and how culture becomes a long-term advantage. Bansal walks you through funding, growth challenges, leadership mistakes, and founder psychology. His insights feel practical and grounded. Anyone building a team or developing products will find something that shifts their thinking.
By Ronnie Screwvala
Founder: UTV, upGrad
Ronnie Screwvala shares the emotional and practical realities of entrepreneurship in India’s fast-changing business landscape. He talks openly about failures, half-made plans, lucky breaks, and the need for clarity when everything feels uncertain. The book encourages readers to dream boldly yet stay rooted in discipline. You follow his journey from building a media empire to learning when to step back. It’s a reminder that courage matters as much as strategy.
By Ashneer Grover
Founder: BharatPe
Ashneer Grover tells his story without filters. The book covers his journey from a middle-class Delhi childhood to IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad, investment banking, and eventually building two unicorns: Grofers, as CFO, and BharatPe, as co-founder. It is sharp, emotional, and brutally honest. Grover talks about ambition, conflict, relentless work, and the storm of public controversy that followed his rise. Strong opinions appear throughout, but so do insights about money, scale, and founder mindset.
By Namita Thapar
Founder: Emcure Pharmaceuticals
Namita Thapar blends personal stories with leadership lessons shaped by the Indian startup economy. She offers a balanced view of being both assertive (the shark) and empathetic (the dolphin). Each chapter brings in real examples from Emcure, her entrepreneurship academy, and founders who pitched on Shark Tank India. The book shows how leaders grow, adapt, and learn to take tough calls while staying grounded.
The founders of Indian startups have changed how the country thinks, works, and creates. Their books open a window into the courage, confusion, failures, and unbelievable highs that shape every major company. Whether you want to start something, improve your leadership skills, or simply understand the ecosystem better, these stories offer clarity and motivation.
