‘Not getting into IIT…’: Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl shares how setbacks helped shape his entrepreneurial journey

Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital, has shared his inspiring journey. He has revealed that not being accepted into IIT, the prestigious Indian institute, and having his H-1B visa application denied were pivotal moments in his life that ultimately led him to greater success.
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2024, Bahl said that although not getting into IIT was disappointing, it opened doors to other opportunities.
“Many things that I wanted didn’t go as per plan at that point in time but it set me on a path that was better for me. I didn’t get into IIT but I got into a good US college that opened my mind and really helped me blossom,” he said. Despite the initial setback, Bahl found a way to cope and move forward.
Another turning point in Bahl’s career came when his H-1B visa application was rejected while working at Microsoft in the US.
“I thought I would live in the US for a few years. But one day I was sitting in my office and I got a one-line email that my H-1B visa had been rejected and that’s how I came back and started my journey as an entrepreneur,” he recounted. This rejection set the stage for his entrepreneurial journey in India.
Upon returning to India, Bahl co-founded Snapdeal, a big e-commerce platform, and Titan Capital, a venture capital firm supporting early-stage startups.
At the summit, he advocated for celebrating ‘Indicorns’ – a term he believes better suits India’s unique business landscape and goals, as opposed to the US-centric term ‘unicorn’.
Kunal Bahl’s story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It highlights the potential for success through perseverance and innovation within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem.