Bengaluru, often recognized as India’s startup capital, recently became the focus of a lively discussion about its significance in the entrepreneurial landscape. Zomato co-founder and CEO, Deepinder Goyal, stirred attention with a striking remark: aspiring entrepreneurs don’t need to move to Bengaluru to start their ventures.
“Last time I was in Bengaluru was in 2017, seven years ago… You don’t need to come here to build a startup. That’s just a perception, but it’s not the reality,” Goyal said during a startup awards event, as reported by The Economic Times.
His comments sparked laughter from Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, a long-time proponent of Bengaluru’s unique environment for innovation and talent, the report added. Nilekani, who also chairs the awards jury, had earlier emphasized that the city’s culture is inherently tied to its entrepreneurial energy.
This exchange reignited the ongoing debate about which city holds the rightful title of India’s startup epicenter. Earlier this year, Unacademy’s CEO Gaurav Munjal fueled a similar conversation on social media, insisting that Bengaluru remains the top choice for founders.
Despite its strong reputation, Bengaluru faces growing competition from New Delhi, which has quickly gained traction as a major startup hub. In recent years, notable companies like Paytm and Delhivery have emerged from the capital, successfully navigating public market listings and highlighting the strength of its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At the awards ceremony, Goyal also discussed Zomato’s development, highlighting the significance of his appearance on “Shark Tank” and the revolutionary impact of its first public offering. In order to better understand the everyday struggles his employees experience, Goyal most recently made headlines by accepting the task of working as a delivery man for a day.