In a recent Reddit poll by the “Startup India” community, Byju Raveendran, the co-founder and CEO of Byju’s, was voted as the “worst founder.” The poll highlighted allegations of a toxic work environment and unethical business practices.

Meanwhile, Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, was celebrated as the “best founder” for his community-focused approach and successful business model.

What Happened: The Reddit poll has placed Raveendran in the spotlight for negative reasons, citing allegations of a toxic work environment and unethical business practices.

Raveendran, 44, faces legal and financial challenges, including accusations of transferring $533 million to offshore accounts, which he denies. Byju’s is grappling with significant debt defaults and insolvency proceedings, resulting in layoffs and delayed salaries.

The Reddit community criticized Raveendran’s leadership style, accusing him of exploiting employees and tarnishing the reputation of the Indian startup ecosystem. Byju’s aggressive sales tactics have reportedly left many parents in financial distress, further fueling the criticism.

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In contrast, Vembu, founder of Zoho, was voted the “best founder” by the same community. Vembu was praised for creating jobs in his hometown and building a successful business model without venture capital.

Users lauded his commitment to community development and his competitive edge against tech giants like Google and Microsoft.

Why It Matters: The poll results come at a time when Byju’s is facing severe financial difficulties. Raveendran revealed that his edtech startup is now valued at zero.

The company has also been hit by the exit of key investors like Prosus, Peak XV Partners, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which, as per Raveendran, has hindered its ability to raise fresh funds.

Earlier in January, BlackRock slashed Byju’s valuation from $22 billion to just $1 billion, marking a steep decline for what was once India’s most valuable startup.

On the other hand, Vembu is making headlines for his strategic moves. In August 2023, Vembu supported Ray Dalio’s optimistic outlook on India’s economic growth, predicting a robust 10-year growth rate of 7%.

Additionally, Zoho is venturing into the chipmaking industry with a $700 million investment plan, showcasing its ambition and growth potential.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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