Bengaluru CEO Harsh Pokharna’s Financial Struggles After Raising Rs 120 Crore Spark Startup Debate

NEW DLEHI (India CSR): Imagine securing Rs 120 crore for your startup, only to find yourself stressing over monthly rent. This is the reality Harsh Pokharna, co-founder and CEO of OkCredit, faced in 2019. His recent social media post, which went viral on X and LinkedIn, has pulled back the curtain on a lesser-known truth in the startup world: raising millions doesn’t always mean personal financial stability. Pokharna’s story has sparked a heated debate about the dynamics between venture capitalists (VCs) and founders, raising questions about control, ethics, and the well-being of entrepreneurs

Harsh Pokharna: The Entrepreneur Behind OkCredit

Harsh Pokharna is no stranger to the startup grind. A Mechanical Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur, he worked at Flipkart before venturing into entrepreneurship. After several failed startup attempts, Pokharna co-founded OkCredit in 2017 with Gaurav Kunwar and Aditya Prasad. OkCredit, a fintech platform offering bookkeeping and accounting solutions for small businesses, has grown significantly, raising $84.9M across four funding rounds from investors like Lightspeed India, Tiger Global Management, and Y Combinator (Tracxn). Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 in Asia in 2020, Pokharna’s journey reflects both resilience and innovation.

The Viral Post That Shook the Startup Community

In his viral post, Pokharna shared a startling personal anecdote: despite raising Rs 120 crore in Series A funding for OkCredit in 2019, he was “broke,” living paycheck to paycheck with no savings and worrying about rent in Bangalore. “And it’s not just my story,” he wrote. “I’ve seen it happen again and again. Founders are raising millions, and still living like college kids. Stressed about survival” (India.com). The post, shared on X and LinkedIn, struck a chord, amassing thousands of reactions and comments from founders, investors, and industry observers.

A Scathing Critique of Venture Capital Culture

Pokharna’s post didn’t just highlight his personal struggles—it took aim at the venture capital ecosystem. He argued that some VCs deliberately prefer founders to remain financially strained, as it makes them more compliant. “VCs want founders to stay poor,” he stated. “A founder with money becomes dangerous. Dangerous enough to say no. Dangerous enough to walk away. Dangerous enough to build on their own terms” (NDTV).

He also called out the hypocrisy in VC expectations. When founders request personal liquidity to ease financial pressures, they’re often told it might “kill their hunger.” Yet, Pokharna noted, the same VCs readily invest millions in serial entrepreneurs with luxurious lifestyles, suggesting that financial security only undermines ambition when it’s the founder’s own (Hindustan Times).

Mixed Reactions from the Startup Ecosystem

The post ignited a spectrum of responses. Some founders and industry professionals praised Pokharna’s candor, with one X user commenting, “Well said Harsh! Although the mindset is changing fast.” Others, however, pushed back, advocating for a more traditional approach. “Investor money going to founders is not acceptable… Bootstrap it over years. Build your legacy!” wrote another user. The debate reflects a divide in the startup community: those who see financial security as empowering versus those who view financial struggle as a necessary driver of innovation.

Fintech platform Incentiv offered a practical response, stating, “We built Incentiv to solve this exact problem. We are currently working on creating liquidity for hundreds of customers” (India.com). Such solutions hint at emerging efforts to address founder liquidity challenges.

Pokharna’s Advice to Fellow Founders

Pokharna concluded his post with a powerful message for other entrepreneurs: “The truth is—a little financial security doesn’t make founders weak. It makes them fearless. So if you’re a founder, don’t let anyone shame you into staying poor. Build your dream. But build your freedom too.” His words resonate as both a call to action and a reminder that personal well-being is as critical as business success.

OkCredit’s Impact on India’s Informal Economy

OkCredit has become a cornerstone for small businesses in India, offering a digital ledger app that simplifies bookkeeping for shopkeepers and micro-entrepreneurs. With millions of active users and coverage across 98% of India’s pincodes, the platform has transformed how the informal economy manages credit and accounts (Forbes). OkCredit’s success underscores Pokharna’s vision, making his personal financial struggles all the more striking.

Broader Implications for the Startup Ecosystem

Pokharna’s revelation exposes a systemic issue: the imbalance of power between founders and investors. Financially strained founders may feel pressured to prioritize investor demands over their own vision, potentially stifling innovation. The debate also raises ethical questions about VC practices. Should investors prioritize founder well-being alongside business growth? Are current funding models sustainable for the mental and financial health of entrepreneurs?

The discussion comes at a time when the startup ecosystem is under scrutiny. Recent reports, such as those from The Economic Times, highlight growing calls for transparency and fairness in venture capital (The Economic Times). Pokharna’s post may catalyze further conversations about reforming these dynamics.

Pokharna’s Leadership Beyond the Post

Pokharna’s approach to leadership extends beyond his critique of VCs. In April 2025, he was praised for his empathetic handling of layoffs at OkCredit, where he personally communicated with each of the 70 affected employees and provided job placement support (Moneycontrol). This demonstrates his commitment to transparency and care, reinforcing his credibility as a founder who values people over profits.

(India CSR)