Youth Turns Down Rs 100 Crore Package to Build Startup Ecosystem in Jodhpur

Jodhpur: On International Youth Day, we bring you the inspiring story of Rounak Singhvi, a 33-year-old entrepreneur who rejected a Rs 100 crore package to develop a startup ecosystem in his hometown, Jodhpur.

Rounak, who has invested in several startups, is now mentoring over 80 startups as part of the Rajasthan government's iStart program. As an advisor to the government, he plays a crucial role in shaping policies for startups.

Born and brought up in Jodhpur, Rounak pursued his CA, CM, and B.Com (Hons) degrees from the city. After completing his education, he worked with top financial consulting groups for seven years. However, he decided to return to his hometown to focus on startups.

Focus on the Startup Ecosystem

In 2020, Rounak co-founded a startup venture firm in Jodhpur, where he worked with several founders. When the Rajasthan government launched the iStart centre in Jodhpur, he was approached by IAS officer Sandesh Nayak to join as a mentor and advisor. Since then, Rounak has been dedicated to developing the startup ecosystem in Jodhpur.

Bringing Investors Back Home

Rounak's current focus is on bringing investors and entrepreneurs back to Jodhpur to invest in the city's startups. He believes that many young entrepreneurs in Jodhpur have innovative concepts, and investors who invest in companies outside the city can be brought back to invest in these startups.

(By Avinash Kewaliya, Jodhpur)