From Flipkart to CEO: Harsh Pokharna’s Journey of Risk, Failure, and Success
From Flipkart to CEO: Harsh Pokharna’s Journey of Risk, Failure, and Success
Many people find themselves stuck in jobs they dislike, often feeling pressured to conform to societal expectations rather than pursuing their true passions. The fear of leaving the “comfort zone” can be paralyzing, but there are those brave enough to break free. One such individual is Harsh Pokharna, an ex-Flipkart employee who decided to leave the security of a stable job to chase his entrepreneurial dreams.
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Harsh Pokharna, a CEO based in Bengaluru, recently shared his experiences on social media about starting his own company, noting that there is still much more to achieve. In his post, he reflected on the moment he left his job at Flipkart to pursue entrepreneurship. He mentioned that he encountered several failures with his initial startup attempts before launching his current venture.
“I left Flipkart to create a startup because I was eager to make a lot of money quickly. It seemed easy as many founders around me were securing millions in funding,” Pokharna stated.
He went on to explain that he explored three different ideas during the first two years after leaving his job, but all of them failed. This resulted in him depleting his savings and turning to freelancing to get by.
Eventually, he co-founded OkCredit and has been developing it for the past eight years. He emphasized that his journey taught him an important lesson: startups are not synonymous with immediate success.
“It’s a long-term endeavor, not a way to get rich quickly. Engage in it only if you genuinely want to address a problem, or you might find yourself feeling let down,” he concluded.
One person mentioned, “Our circumstances are somewhat alike, but the concept we’re developing is distinct. I think that a little assistance from people like you could help us progress more quickly, but the issue is that whenever we seek help or mentorship, it always comes with a cost, which makes us hesitate. I hope you can understand.” Another individual added, “Our experiences and determination have always motivated me to keep going. I’d like to share my ideas and would appreciate your feedback.”
A third person commented, “Thank you for being honest to share your experience, we hardly see people opening up about their life experiences. Otherwise, it’s a dog eats dog world ”
A fourth remarked, “Failure is part of the journey. Resilience is key. Your shared experiences are impressive. Thank you for sharing.”
Another person, “Thank you for sharing these valuable insights and lessons.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Harsh Pokharna served as a graduate trainer at Flipkart for eight months. He co-founded OkCredit in 2017 and currently holds the position of CEO. He earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
His journey over the past ten years has been filled with challenges, but it also reflects the courage it takes to step into the unknown. Harsh’s story serves as an inspiration for anyone feeling trapped in their current situation, reminding us that true fulfillment often lies just beyond our comfort zones.



