How come all these startups get funding in hundreds of millions?

Why: I know that with all the job layoffs happening, it's kinda stupid to quit but I just can't. After almost a decade in the startup scene I'm taking a break, probably for good. From AI to B2C to ed-tech and more I have worked with startups at every stage of growth and across sectors. Almost in every one of these w/o exception, I have experienced burnout, mindless pressure, and being underpaid because I'm not from an IIT or IIM. Context: I love technology, I have been a sci-fi nerd since school and I threw myself into the stories of startups changing the world. But because of family finances and the overall culture of startups I haven't taken a break in about 10 years and it's starting to show. I don't have savings to last me more than 3-4 months but at this rate I'll end up checking out of society. Unsolicited advice: 1) Most startups and the VCs that back them know they're going to fail but don't internalise their failure as yours. 2) Always, always take care of your mental + physical health. Doesn't matter if you're intern and you're expected to slog 12-15 hours in the name of learning. 3) I missed moments with my ageing mom and dad, school friends and just time to read and relax because I was afraid of missing out on "networking" and "office night outs". Fuck all that, it is and it will always be family and frit first. Finally, Fuck all you hustle bro CEOs, they have done more to damage the mentor health of a generation more than any politician. I feel stupid and useless because you can't help posturing and creating panic in the name of disruption. Hope AI takes your jobs too. PS: See you on the other side.

in your organisation, who are the people who actually make more than a crore (in cash, ESOP not included). I am trying to validate the stuff I hear from my friends that every other guy in startups is making butt loads of monies and I look around and find even getting a 30-40+ Lacs job is demanding and not flying by the minute

Today’s startups are using the interns/employees to the point of exhaustion(taking work of 12-14 hours) but returning in penny without any job security, you just do a small mistake(actually which may not be called a mistake also) and to fulfil their ego the management will kick you out anytime. It’s we, the employees, who are helping organisations show upper trend so that they can bag Series A, B etc. Whereas the co-founders and higher hierarchy members are enjoying limitless wealth in form of salary and also going every then and now on holiday trips. Today’s co-founders are not leaving any stone unturned in reaching a new low.

I had heard Waycool was also talking to raise at unicorn valuation, but they've fired like 300 people on Monday, so that's pretty uncertain. What to make of Zepto, though?

willl try my best to be honest, ask me anything

In the last 1 year Taskmo has evaporated 10cr of investor money and failed to make any recurring revenue. They have downsized by a huge number and unethically fired majority of their staff. It's funny to see fake LinkedIn posts about them doing so well. I don't know why they were posting job ads when they have no money to pay the candidate. Don't be a fool. Don't apply for any roles in Taskmo and take care of yourself

Recently whenever I come across any post on GV asking about the culture of a particular company people generally point out it to be toxic... Even in big companies like Swiggy, Upstox etc. Are there even any good product companies in India with decent TC + WLB + Culture??

As we can see only 3-5% Indian startups become profitable and rest of are still in the loss. But Cred , Zomato, Paytm and many more loss making companies are still in the market with tag of "Unicorn". Ye kaise possible ho paa rha hai.. investors ab bhi Paisa lagaye chale Jaa rhe hai .. Why ????????

Most startup’s are not founded with great altruistic purpose to elevate human condition. Most startup’s are founded where founders know they can make money or earn status points through little schemes of leveraging their network of investors. Most of them know they can earn more income by just raising some money from friends or VCs. Build a small tech tool and burn through money trying to acquire and retain customers. All this while hiring 100s of employees selling false narratives. What bugs me the most isn’t the thousands of people getting laid off, salary corrections or bankruptcies, it is the mafiaesque organisation built to “create wealth for some by exploitation of countless others” Most startup founders use brute force of content and media coupled with ignorance of people to perpetuate this cycle. It’s the virtue signalling and holier than thou attitude of most founders and VCs justifying all their mindless brutality in the name of strategy and growth which destroys aspirations and outcomes for the many. It’s more relevant in India because of large scale ignorance about money and large scale trust on educated individuals with the right college tags! If you have seen sopranos, most founders are like Anthony soprano - summarily violent, manipulative and ruthless behaviour primarily driven by selfish greed but juxtaposed with moments of vulnerability and struggle justifying his action with a facade of providing for his family. *Replace Anthony soprano with your founder/ceo name* 1. VSS was playing fast and lose with rbi regulations resulting in stock crash and layoffs 2. Byju’s systematically destroyed his own company and wealth of his employees just to ensure he retains majority control 3. Ashneer G and his wife manipulated company books 4. Zerodha founders cheated in chess match or lied about their system failures which lost a lot of capital PS: I refer to most founders because there are few exceptions who don’t fit into this narrative.

Of late, with Koo shutting down, Unacademy in the rafters, I've seen really intelligent, logical folks stand behind the founders of such moronic companies. Is the act of building shit, money burning companies with no use , more important than not building something in today's time?