Vikram Pai, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur and CEO of ReferRush, an e-commerce referral sales platform, recently opened up about his past business failures, financial setbacks, and health struggles while expressing his appreciation for Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath.
Pai conveyed his gratitude to WTFund, a grant initiative led by Nikhil Kamath, after his startup was selected for the funding program. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey in a post on social media platform X, Pai detailed his six-year struggle, which included five unsuccessful ventures.
“Six years. Five failed businesses. Two crores earned and lost. People jokingly called me Elon Musk. Half my body was paralyzed. I was left with just ₹4,000 in my account and couldn’t afford to pay my co-founder’s salary. Here’s a screenshot of my account before I transferred Rs 36,000 to him—he had responsibilities. Everyone advised me to give up. Even my grandmother doubted me. I was labeled delusional. My father dismissed my efforts as ‘playing business.’ Relatives gossiped about my career. My mother lost faith. My best friend betrayed me. I broke down in tears,” wrote Pai, CEO of ReferRush, on X.
He further revealed that ReferRush was one of nine startups selected from over 2,400 applicants for WTFund’s grant initiative.
“But I never stopped believing. I always had food and shelter, and that was enough. Today, @ReferRush is one of the nine startups chosen from more than 2,400 companies for the @TheWTFund grant. It took us four months to generate our first lakh for customers. Now, we generate ₹1.5 lakhs daily. We are profitable. And this is just the beginning. The first five years aren’t about winning—they’re about mastering the craft. I am grateful to my parents, to Rohan, to this opportunity, and to life itself. Never give up. Believe in yourself,” Pai stated.
He also extended his thanks to individuals who supported him, tagging @harnidhish, @Suchetkm, @nikhilkamathcio, @TheWTFund, Arshia Vivek, and Piyush.
What Is WTFund?
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has launched the second cohort of WTFund, selecting 22 founders across nine startups. The WTFund initiative offers up to Rs 20 lakh in grant funding, along with mentorship and strategic guidance, to help early-stage startups scale their operations.
In its first cohort, WTFund supported 13 startups by providing early-stage assistance, helping them refine their business models and attract potential investors.
ET Online
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