Bengaluru Startup Founder Overcomes Struggles to Secure WTFund Backing from Nikhil Kamath
Bengaluru Startup Founder Overcomes Struggles to Secure WTFund Backing from Nikhil Kamath
Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Vikram Pai, CEO of ReferRush, has shared his inspiring journey of perseverance, business failures, financial struggles, and health setbacks before finally securing backing from WTFund, a startup grant initiative by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath.
From Setbacks to Success: Vikram Pai’s Journey
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Pai opened up about his six-year-long entrepreneurial battle, during which he endured five failed businesses, lost and earned ₹2 crore, and even suffered partial paralysis.
Despite the hardships, including financial instability, family skepticism, and personal betrayals, he remained determined. Pai recalled an instance where he had only ₹4,000 left in his account yet still managed to pay his co-founder ₹36,000. He was constantly advised to quit, with even close family members doubting his choices.
However, his perseverance paid off when ReferRush was selected for WTFund’s second cohort, which handpicked nine startups from over 2,400 applicants.
ReferRush’s Growth and WTFund Selection
ReferRush, an e-commerce referral sales platform, took four months to generate its first lakh for customers. Today, the company generates ₹1.5 lakh per day and is now profitable. Pai expressed immense gratitude to his parents, his supporter Rohan, and the WTFund program for this turning point in his entrepreneurial journey.
“The first five years aren’t where you win; it’s where you get good,” he emphasized, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to never give up.
What is WTFund?
WTFund, launched by Nikhil Kamath, aims to support early-stage startups by providing:
✅ Grant funding of up to ₹20 lakh
✅ Mentorship and strategic guidance
✅ Business model development assistance
The second cohort includes 22 founders from nine startups, following the success of the first cohort, which helped 13 startups build and scale their businesses.
A Lesson in Resilience
Vikram Pai’s story is a testament to resilience, persistence, and self-belief. His journey from financial struggles and personal setbacks to securing WTFund backing is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.
As ReferRush continues its upward trajectory, Pai’s message remains clear: Believe in yourself, push through adversity, and success will follow.
