Behind every successful Indian startup founder is a stack of books that inspired, guided, and grounded them through the roller-coaster journey of entrepreneurship. From business strategy to self-mastery, Indian entrepreneurs swear by certain books that sharpened their thinking, helped them take bold decisions, and kept them resilient.
In this article, we dive into the most recommended books by Indian startup founders—curated from interviews, podcasts, AMA sessions, and panel discussions. These are not just books; they are playbooks, mental models, and spiritual guides for the ambitious.
1. ‘The Hard Thing About Hard Things’ by Ben Horowitz
Recommended by: Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola), Kunal Shah (CRED)
This brutally honest account of the challenges of running a startup is often cited by founders dealing with scale, culture, and crisis. Kunal Shah refers to this book as a “reality pill every founder must swallow.”
2. ‘Zero to One’ by Peter Thiel
Recommended by: Nithin Kamath (Zerodha), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO)
Thiel’s contrarian thinking inspires founders to build something truly original, not just copy existing models. It has significantly influenced how Indian founders think about product differentiation and monopolies.
3. ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ by Daniel Kahneman
Recommended by: Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Vidit Aatrey (Meesho)
This psychological deep dive into decision-making is a go-to for founders trying to understand customers, teams, and even themselves better. Vidit Aatrey once credited it for helping him build better product loops.
4. ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear
Recommended by: Harsh Jain (Dream11), Varun Dua (Acko)
For those building startups, consistency beats intensity. This book’s focus on habit formation aligns well with the grind and discipline needed in entrepreneurship.
5. ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight
Recommended by: Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Falguni Nayar (Nykaa)
This memoir of Nike’s founder is as much a tale of grit as it is of genius. Founders love its unfiltered storytelling, vulnerability, and timeless lessons on brand-building.
6. ‘The Lean Startup’ by Eric Ries
Recommended by: Byju Raveendran (BYJU’S), Harshil Mathur (Razorpay)
Almost every product-focused founder in India has read this. Its emphasis on MVPs, validated learning, and pivoting resonates strongly in India’s high-growth, capital-conscious ecosystem.
7. ‘Grit’ by Angela Duckworth
Recommended by: Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth), Naukri.com founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani
Ghazal once mentioned this book in an interview as a defining read for learning how passion and perseverance matter more than raw talent.
8. ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport
Recommended by: Gaurav Munjal (Unacademy), Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal)
Startup life is distracting. This book’s principles have helped founders carve out space for strategic thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
9. ‘Rework’ by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
Recommended by: Sridhar Vembu (Zoho), Ankur Warikoo (ex-Nearbuy)
For those skeptical about VC-led growth and hustle culture, Rework offers a refreshing take. Sridhar Vembu has echoed its themes about sustainable and frugal business building.
10. ‘The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel
Recommended by: Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha), Tanmay Bhat (Investor, Creator)
Especially in India’s evolving wealth narrative, this book helps founders rethink risk, time, and financial decision-making with clarity.
Why Founders Rely on Books
For Indian startup founders, books aren’t just passive reads—they are mental gyms. In a market as complex and dynamic as India, the ability to think independently and emotionally regulate under pressure is often the differentiator.
These books also serve as virtual mentors—providing frameworks, worldviews, and confidence when founders are navigating unfamiliar terrain.
Bonus Picks Frequently Mentioned by Indian Entrepreneurs
-
‘Made in India’ by Amitabh Kant – For policy-aware entrepreneurs
-
‘Principles’ by Ray Dalio – For systems thinkers
-
‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek – For mission-driven founders
-
‘The Almanack of Naval Ravikant’ by Eric Jorgenson – For those building long-term leverage
-
‘Outliers’ by Malcolm Gladwell – For pattern-seeking minds
Final Thoughts
Books may not write code or raise capital—but they build the mindset that creates billion-dollar outcomes. If you’re an aspiring founder or a startup employee, adding these to your reading list may give you a lens into how India’s top startup minds think, decide, and evolve.
What book shaped your startup journey the most? Let us know in the comments or tweet us with your favorite read.
