In today’s fast-paced digital world, where midnight cravings and instant doorstep delivery have become the norm, only a handful of brands have truly transformed how India eats — and Zomato is undeniably at the forefront. A visionary startup that changed the way Indians discover and order food, Zomato was co-founded by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah and has since grown into a global food-tech giant.
From a Small Town to the Top
Born on 26th January 1983 in a small village in Punjab, Deepinder Goyal rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most inspiring tech entrepreneurs. Today, he resides in Gurugram, helming one of the most powerful food delivery platforms in the country. His journey is a true Leader On Top story — one of ambition, resilience, and innovation.
The Spark That Lit Zomato
After graduating from IIT Delhi in Mathematics and Computing in 2005, Deepinder began working at Bain & Company. It was here that the seeds of Zomato were sown. Frustrated by the long queues for ordering food, he created a simple intranet website listing restaurant menus — a small idea that quickly snowballed into FoodieBay, and then eventually Zomato in 2010.
What started as an internal tool soon became a nationwide solution — solving everyday dining problems for millions of users.
Zomato’s Global Rise
Under Deepinder’s leadership, Zomato went global, acquiring over 15 startups across various countries, including Poland’s Gastronauci and Italy’s Cibando. Their acquisition of Blinkit (formerly Grofers) in 2022 for $560 million marked a bold move into the quick-commerce space.
In March 2025, the parent company was rebranded to Eternal Limited, although the Zomato app and brand remain unchanged in the public domain.
Goyal’s Entrepreneurial Hustle
From bootstrapping FoodieBay to raising the first $1M from Info Edge, Deepinder faced several challenges — including financial instability and family pressure to stay in a secure job. But his commitment to solving real problems kept him going.
His rise to billionaire status is marked by strategic vision, a relentless drive, and the ability to constantly evolve. As of October 2024, Deepinder Goyal’s net worth is estimated at $1.7 billion.
New Ventures & Investments
Beyond Zomato, Deepinder has launched a health-tech startup named Continue, focused on wellness and mental health, and has co-founded LAT Aerospace in 2025. He’s also an active angel investor with 22+ startups in his portfolio — including Unacademy, Shiprocket, Ultrahuman, and Park+.
Media Presence: Shark Tank & Public Image
In 2023, Goyal joined Shark Tank India Season 3 as a judge, inspiring young entrepreneurs across the nation. His straightforward yet visionary thinking added depth to the panel. However, his appearance in Season 4 was controversially cut short due to Swiggy’s sponsorship of the show — highlighting fierce rivalries in the food tech world.
He also drew attention for a controversial Chief of Staff job post in 2024, which stirred debates on accessibility and elite privilege in startup hiring.
Awards and Recognition
Economic Times Startup of the Year (2011)
Business Today Young Business Leader (2012)
Distinguished Alumni, IIT Delhi (2018)
GQ Men of the Year (2019)
Fortune India 40 Under 40 (2020)
Leader’s Takeaway
Deepinder Goyal’s story reflects what it means to lead from the front, take risks, and break norms. From a modest Punjabi village to building one of India’s most valuable startups, his journey is a testament to vision, hard work, and staying hungry — both literally and metaphorically.
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