Start Your Own Business with 20 Lakh: Entrepreneurs React to Zomato CEO’s Unique Job Offer

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal recently unveiled a bold and unconventional job opportunity that has sparked widespread debate. The Chief of Staff position at Zomato’s Gurugram headquarters comes with an unusual stipulation: candidates are required to pay a hefty Rs 20 lakh fee upfront, with no salary offered for the first year.

The announcement, made through a social media post on November 20, drew mixed reactions. While some viewed it as an innovative way to identify highly motivated individuals, many entrepreneurs questioned the logic of the arrangement. They argued that the Rs 20 lakh fee could be better utilized as seed capital to start one’s own business, potentially yielding greater returns and personal growth. However, the unique nature of this job pitch also presents an unparalleled opportunity for personal growth, working closely with a leader like Goyal.

The unique nature of this job pitch has led to discussions about the perceived value of such an opportunity, with many debating whether the experience and connections gained from working closely with a leader like Goyal could justify the steep investment. Meanwhile, others in the entrepreneurial community have emphasized the importance of using such funds to build one’s own vision, highlighting the potential to create something meaningful and self-driven with the same amount of money. This perspective empowers individuals to consider their own entrepreneurial ventures.

As the post went viral, Goyal was censured by several sections of the internet for his “bizarre conditions”, while some entrepreneurs, on the other hand, pitched their business ideas using the Zomato advert. Job seekers and individuals interested in business opportunities also [reactions from the audience].

For instance, Delhi-based Arjun Singh, co-founder of Gully Labs sneakers, said in a post on X: “Take that Rs 20 lakh and instead take a shot at starting your own biz. One year later you get more value than all the alternatives regardless.”

Neil Mukti, a professional from Bengaluru who collaborates with various companies as mentioned in his X bio, came up with an innovative concept after being inspired by Arjun. His idea reflects Arjun’s influence, driving Neil to explore new opportunities and approaches in his work.

“If you have 20 lakh of capital, I want you to start fashion d2c without using plastic junk fibers by sourcing natural fabrics from artisan clusters across India. I and my tiny team will help you with branding, packaging, product strategy, and most importantly, crafting fine Meta Algo to scale to 1 Crore/month from Shopify alone and beyond. I will charge discounted fee and take 5% equity in your business. From your side, you should be passionate about clothes and how a particular fabric feels on your body. Let’s do this,” Mukti said, marking his pitch to Arjun on X.

With regard to the much-discussed Zomato job opening, CEO Deepinder Goyal provided additional details about the unique terms of the role. While the first year offers no salary, the company has pledged to donate a generous Rs 50 lakh—equivalent to the typical annual pay for such a position—to a charity chosen by the selected candidate, showcasing a socially conscious aspect of the opportunity.

Starting from the second year, the candidate would be entitled to an exceptionally competitive salary exceeding Rs 50 lakh annually, reflecting the high value of the role within the organization.

Although the job post sparked backlash and heated debates on social media, Goyal shared an exciting update today, revealing that the position has attracted overwhelming interest, with over 10,000 applications received so far. This overwhelming response underscores the appeal of this unconventional offer to aspiring professionals, sparking further curiosity and interest.

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