The mental health of Indian startup founders is a crucial topic in recent years amid mounting pressures of entrepreneurship. YourDOST report lately highlighted the challenges faced by the startup founders. It adds that 61% of founders have reported high emotional well-being and 33% struggle with low emotional health.
The contrast highlights the intense and isolating nature of entrepreneurship. Many founders and especially in the early stages report feelings of self-doubt equipped with imposter syndrome affecting a significant number. Lack of community support adds to the strain and about half of the founders feel unsupported by the networks which are meant to uplift them. The insights reveal hidden costs of chasing success.
More experienced entrepreneurs and those with six or more years in the field report higher levels of emotional wellness. It is clear that the early years of building a business are especially taxing equipped with lower satisfaction and well-being reported by first-time founders.
The pressures faced by startup leaders are not just personal issues, but they have broader implications for India’s economy. Startups contributed nearly $140 billion to the GDP in the last fiscal year and this about 4% of the total in India. YourDOST Co-Founder and CEO Richa Singh said that supporting the mental health of founders is essential for sustaining the ecosystem.
The efforts of YourDOST through its Founder Program are a step in the right direction. Programs like these offer tools for resilience and emotional regulation. Venture capitalists, policymakers and entrepreneurial communities must collaborate to create an environment that prioritizes mental well-being alongside financial growth.
It is to take a note that success depends on the individuals as India’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive.
