'Delhi Is '1,000%' Better For Startups Than Bengaluru: Bombay Shaving Company's CEO

Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, also expressed his opinion, asserting that Delhi offers a superior environment for business development compared to Bengaluru

Drawing from his own experiences, Deshpande stressed the strength of Delhi’s talent pool

Source : Instagram, You Tube

Zomato’s founder and CEO, Deepinder Goyal, recently reignited the ongoing debate about which Indian city provides the best startup environment. Speaking at an event organised by The Economic Times, Goyal suggested that entrepreneurs do not need to be based in Bengaluru to achieve success, challenging the widely held belief that it is India’s startup capital. His comments have sparked further discussion, drawing a range of perspectives from industry leaders.

CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, Shantanu Deshpande, also expressed his opinion, asserting that Delhi offers a superior environment for business development compared to Bengaluru. In an interview with YouTuber Ishan Sharma, he claimed that Delhi is "1,000 per cent" better for launching a startup, highlighting that the city’s emphasis on substance over appearances makes it an ideal location for entrepreneurs.

Deshpande elaborated on his viewpoint, noting that while Bengaluru is frequently likened to Silicon Valley because it concentrates on disruptive startups, Delhi nurtures consistent, high-quality ventures. He stated that the likelihood of high-quality businesses emerging from Delhi is greater than that from Bengaluru. Furthermore, he noted that the startup ecosystem in Delhi prioritises steady, sustainable growth over chasing the latest trends.

Deshpande characterised Bengaluru’s startup culture as driven by what he termed "froth," stressing a focus on flashy innovations. While he acknowledged the groundbreaking initiatives coming out of Bengaluru, he pointed out that Delhi's business culture focuses on substance, which he believes offers a significant advantage for entrepreneurs.

Drawing from his own experiences, Deshpande stressed the strength of Delhi’s talent pool, highlighting that the presence of major companies like Zomato, Paytm, and Snapdeal creates a rich reservoir of talent for emerging businesses in the region. In contrast, he described Bengaluru and Pune as more service-oriented cities, arguing that Delhi’s business culture is more robust and better suited to fostering entrepreneurial ventures. 

Deshpande, who has faced public criticism for advising young employees to work 18-hour days, noted that his own company has thrived thanks to the resources available in Delhi. “Delhi has a very strong business culture,” he stated, identifying this as a critical advantage over other startup hubs.