Bengaluru, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, recently witnessed a notable meeting that captured the essence of its vibrant startup culture. The CEOs of three major Indian startups—Swiggy, Ola, and Unacademy—met for coffee at Araku Coffee, creating a buzz among the city’s entrepreneurial community. Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal, and Swiggy CEO Sriharsha Majety were spotted together, much to the delight of Ishan Sukul, an X user who happened to be at the cafe.
Ishan Sukul couldn’t contain his excitement and shared a post on social media on July 14, saying, “Araku Coffee is on fire today: 3 large co CEOs (Swiggy, Unacademy, Ola) and one normie aka me.” This spontaneous meetup was quickly acknowledged by the verified X handle of “Peak Bengaluru,” which responded with a unicorn emoji, symbolizing the gathering of these high-profile leaders.
Araku Coffee is on fire today: 3 large co CEOs (Swiggy, Unacademy, Ola) and one normie aka me
— Ishan Sukul (@isawsukul) July 14, 2024
While no photographs were taken by Sukul, a selfie of Gaurav Munjal with Bhavish Aggarwal was shared on social media, showing them at Araku Coffee. Sriharsha Majety, known for his reclusive nature, did not appear in the photo, adding an element of intrigue to the meeting.
Super fun as always 🙂 @bhash pic.twitter.com/BGm7JPkDfC
— Gaurav Munjal (@gauravmunjal) July 14, 2024
Bengaluru’s reputation as a startup hub is well-deserved, with over five lakh registered startups and numerous global MNCs. The city’s coffee shops often double as informal networking hubs where founders, CEOs, and other executives can meet and exchange ideas. This impromptu coffee meeting underscores the city’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and the accessibility of its business leaders.
Despite the thriving startup ecosystem, there are concerns about the future ease of doing business in Bengaluru. The Karnataka cabinet recently passed a bill mandating the inclusion of 50-75% Kannadigas in private jobs, with 50% of management positions and 70% of non-management roles reserved for locals. This bill faced significant backlash and was put on hold after intense criticism from industry leaders.
In light of these developments, there is speculation that other cities like Hyderabad and Pune might emerge as new startup capitals if the reservation policy is implemented. However, for now, Bengaluru continues to be a vibrant center for innovation and entrepreneurship.