The man behind the brand

Deepinder Goyal’s biography portrays not just the personality, but a startup founder as well

- MOHIT HIRA

T HAS BEEN said the life of a founder is a lonely one.And clichéd as it may sound, at the end of a hectic day, founders often seek solace in themselves. Their lives—regardless of whether they succeed entrepreneurially or not—are fraught with challenges that are certain to change a person from deep within.

If you read Megha Vishwanath’s biography, Unseen: The Untold Story of Deepinder Goyal and the Making of Zomato, in this context, sections that come across as almost hagiographic—or overtly filled with unabashed admiration—will appear deeply empathetic. The result is a rather linear but meticulously chronicled narrative of the Zomato founder’s journey who is referred to by his pet name Deepi throughout. It spans childhood trauma, parental influence, entrepreneurial ups and downs, and the relentless pursuit of building both a company and himself. Written with a sharp eye for culture and context, the book will be illuminating for Indian readers familiar with Zomato—as customers, startup founders, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs eager for an unseen view of the making (and almost unmaking) of one of India’s most storied startups.