'Wanted to make quick money but then...': IIT Kanpur alumnus who claims to have quit Flipkart job to set up startup

Leaving a cushy, high-paying job to chase the startup dream sounds exciting, but reality often hits harder than expected. Harsh Pokharna, an IIT Kanpur graduate and co-founder of Bengaluru-based OkCredit, recently opened up about his decade-long entrepreneurial journey—one filled with struggles, financial setbacks, and crucial lessons about patience and perseverance.  

Pokharna quit his job at Flipkart, inspired by the wave of startup founders securing massive funding. “I wanted to make a lot of money very quickly,” he shared in a candid Instagram post. “Founders were raising millions of dollars all around me. It seemed easy.” But what followed was anything but.  

He spent the next two years experimenting with three different business ideas—none of which took off. With savings running out, he had to turn to freelancing just to stay afloat while continuing to chase his entrepreneurial ambitions.  

“It’s a long-term game, not a get-rich-quick scheme. Play it only if you truly want to solve a problem, or you’ll end up disappointed,” he said.  

It was only after years of struggle that he co-founded OkCredit, a digital ledger platform for small businesses, which eventually found success. But his journey reinforced a harsh reality: startups demand more than just big dreams—they need resilience, strategic planning, and a real problem-solving mindset.  

Netizens react  

Pokharna’s story struck a chord with many aspiring entrepreneurs, who shared their own struggles in the startup ecosystem.  

“Your story and perseverance always push me to never give up. I want to share my ideas and would love to hear your thoughts,” wrote one user.  

Another pointed out the difficulty of finding mentorship and financial support: “The idea we’re working on is unique, and we believe a little help from experienced founders like you could speed things up. But the problem is, nothing comes free, and that holds us back.”  

“Thank you for sharing these real insights and learnings,” said another.  

One user summed up the key takeaway: “Let’s play the long-term game with strategic planning, relentless effort, and patience to WIN! Sounds like a solid idea to me.”  

Pokharna’s journey is a reminder that while startup success stories may dominate headlines, the road to making it big is paved with setbacks, sacrifices, and above all, persistence.