Health is wealth: Investors tell startup founders, heads

Several board members and investors are pushing for more balance between work and life

- Sneha Shah & Devina Sengupta

Amit Banerji, founder of Table Space, died of cardiac arrest at his Bengaluru residence last week. Banerji, who was busy steering his company towards an initial public offer (IPO), became the second startup founder to be claimed by intense pressure and the lack of work-life balance in the industry within a month. The rude wake-up call seems to have prompted the industry to address the issue, with several board members and investors pushing for balance in work and life.

From investors and board members to co-founders, everyone is now nudging the top deck to take time to reset and rewind. After the funding winter, when there is constant pressure for growth, profitability, low funding, and public listing, these experts told Mint that it is increasingly important for founders to strike a balance between work and play. "The surge in health issues among founders is alarming. Yes, their jobs are demanding, and they push themselves hard. However, founders must realize they're not invincible—burnout benefits no one," said Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Titan Capital and Snapdeal. Titan Capital has invested in companies such as Dealshare, Mamaearth, Ofbusiness, Ola, Razorpay, and Urban Company, among others.