In a LinkedIn post that is going viral now, Harsh Pokharna, CEO of OkCredit and alumnus of IIT Kanpur, warned startups: “Investors just give cash. They are just service providers, who give cash. That’s all.” He cautioned that many founders are building for investor appeal not for customers leading to products with no real traction or value.
Customer Focus Vs. Investor Hype
Pokharna observed a troubling pattern: founders chasing shiny trends instead of solving real problems:
“Founders have stopped building for customers. They’re building for investors… inbox full.”
According to him, hype-driven ventures prioritize what looks fundable over user research or product-market fit. He stressed: “Investors don’t build. They follow.”
Real-Life Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur
Pokharna’s critique comes from experience. He started OkCredit after three early business failures and a stint freelancing to stay afloat while he experimented with ideas. Even after raising ₹120 crore in Series A funding in 2019, he revealed he was “living paycheck to paycheck” in Bangalore, with no savings. His truth? Raising capital doesn’t equal stability.
Why This Message Hits Home
- Purpose over projection: Pokharna emphasizes long-term value over short-lived valuation spikes.
- Authentic problem solving: Building around customers, not investor whims, leads to sustainable traction.
- Long-haul mindset: Startup success is marathon, not a sprint, his own journey took eight years to gain traction.
What Founders Should Do Differently
- Validate early with customers: Don’t rely on pitches, talk real users from day one.
- Avoid mirroring trends: Just because something floods the news or investors’ feeds doesn’t mean it solves a need.
- Align capital with your vision: Treat investors as supporters, not vision-changers, take control of your product roadmap.
- Build smart, not fast: Pokharna’s journey shows that steady focus and resilience outlast hype.
Who’s Building the Future?
Pokharna’s warning is clear: investors may fund you, but they don’t shape your mission, you do. In a world where trends shift fast, founders who anchor their work in real problems, persistent validation, and ethical growth will win, not those chasing the next pitch deck buzz.
Also Read: Pranaya Gidwani’s Creative Retreat for Founders in Goa
