Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of The Startups of Bharat: Stories of India’s Million-Dollar Founders under Thirty By Aditya Arora and Surya Pasricha

What happens when you mix India’s startup dreams, small-town hustle, and a desi sense of humour? You get a book that feels less like a business lecture and more like a late-night chai chat with your ambitious friend who’s already cracked the code. The Startups of Bharat by Aditya Arora and Surya Pasricha isn’t your regular startup manual—it’s raw, relatable, and full of heart.

For those unfamiliar, Aditya and Surya aren’t just writers—they’re doers. Aditya’s been a youth icon in the startup ecosystem, and together with Surya, they’ve created a book that fills a much-needed gap in Indian entrepreneurial literature. Especially one that’s youth-focused and Bharat-rooted.

The book walks us through the life and lessons of young Indian founders—some who’ve raised millions, others who’ve hit unicorn status—all under thirty. But it’s not just about funding rounds or IPOs. It’s about that first itch to solve a real problem, the chaos of figuring things out, and the joy (or heartbreak) of building something from scratch.

Each of the 15 chapters breaks down different stages of the startup journey, from idea generation to scaling. What’s refreshing is that it doesn’t follow the same old Mumbai-Bangalore-Delhi startup narrative. It brings in voices from Indore, Surat, Lucknow—places you don’t usually associate with million-dollar ventures.

Okay, let’s talk vibe. This isn’t a textbook. The language? Casual, crisp, with a lot of “Hinglish” charm. You’ll catch phrases in Hindi, witty desi one-liners, and even the occasional poem. It feels like your older cousin—who’s made it big in the startup world—is breaking it down for you over Maggi.

The humour is natural, never forced, and the tone never dips into ‘gyan mode’. It tells, it doesn't preach. That’s a big win.

Instead of fictional characters, here we meet real founders—gritty, flawed, and oh-so-determined. They’re not glamorized. You’ll read about the sleepless nights, the small wins, the identity crises, and the local jugaads that saved the day.

There’s an underlying celebration of “Bharat”—India beyond the metros—and that feels important. The book says: “Hey, even if you’re sitting in a tier-2 town, dreaming of solving a local problem, you can build something extraordinary.”

Structurally, the book is super accessible. You can read chapters out of order, skip to what speaks to you, or follow it step-by-step like a startup playbook. Each chapter ends with reflective activities—yep, not the boring kind, but real stuff like identifying problems around you or exploring your city’s startup ecosystem.

It’s tight and intentional. No fluff.

At its core, The Startups of Bharat is about possibility. It's about looking around your world and asking, “Why not me?” It tackles themes of ambition, resilience, failure, and reinvention. There’s also a strong undercurrent of community—of building not just for personal gain but to solve for India’s unique, grassroots challenges.

The RISING framework (which gets a whole chapter) is a simple yet powerful guide to early-stage entrepreneurship—definitely a standout.

There were chapters where I found myself smiling mid-read, especially during the storytelling of Physics Wallah or Chai Sutta Bar. Not because of the business insights (though those are solid), but because of how real the journeys felt. I remember thinking, “This could be my story—or someone from my college batch.” That level of relatability? Rare.

 It inspires without being sappy. 

What truly sets The Startups of Bharat apart is its rare combination of relatability, structure, and soul. It speaks directly to the young Indian reader—especially those from non-metro backgrounds—using a tone that’s familiar yet never simplistic. The format is refreshingly easy to navigate, with every chapter packed with actionable insights and real-world takeaways. Most importantly, it shines a much-needed spotlight on entrepreneurs from smaller towns, proving that innovation isn’t limited to big cities. And through all the hustle and hard truths, the book never loses its humour or heart—making it as emotionally engaging as it is informative.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say: some chapters could have gone deeper into the challenges—especially the emotional ones. Also, a bit more diversity in sectors (like agri-tech or deep tech) might have added further value. But these are minor in the larger scheme.

As someone deeply interested in India’s evolving startup landscape this book hit home. It’s empowering. It made me rethink what “founder material” looks like. Spoiler: it’s not always Ivy League grads with VC networks. Sometimes, it’s a college dropout from Bhopal with a bold idea and relentless passion.

In a world overflowing with startup books that are either too American or too academic, The Startups of Bharat is a refreshing, rooted, and real voice from the ground up. It’s ideal for students, first-time founders, or even parents trying to understand what their entrepreneurial kids are up to.

Final verdict? A resounding yes.

And if Aditya and Surya are reading this—can we please have a Part 2?

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely. Especially to every young Indian who’s ever thought, “I want to build something, but I don’t know where to start.” This is your starting point.

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