In the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship, ideas aren’t just born in boardrooms—they’re often forged in the pages of powerful books. For many of India’s most successful startup founders and CEOs, reading has played a pivotal role in shaping their mindset, strategy, and vision. From timeless wisdom to modern science, here are the books that have left a lasting impact on seven influential leaders in India’s startup ecosystem.
1. Kaivalya Vohra
Co-founder, Zepto
Most Impactful Read: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Vohra credits this bestseller with teaching the value of small, consistent improvements. The book’s core philosophy—that tiny changes can lead to remarkable results—resonates with the disciplined execution required in a fast-growing startup like Zepto.
2. Kunal Bahl
Co-founder, Snapdeal and Titan Capital
Most Impactful Read: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
This compilation of Munger’s speeches and thoughts provided Bahl with deep insights into decision-making, mental models, and long-term thinking—skills essential to building a resilient business.
3. Priyanka Gill
Co-founder, Good Glamm Group; Venture Partner, Kalaari Capital
Most Impactful Reads: The Obstacle is the Way and Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Gill found inspiration in Ryan Holiday’s modern take on Stoic philosophy. These books explore how adversity can be an opportunity in disguise and emphasize the importance of humility and self-awareness in leadership.
4. Abhay Singhal
Co-founder, InMobi; CEO, InMobi Advertising
Most Impactful Read: Range: How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Singhal believes this book underscores the value of versatility in an increasingly complex world. “Range” argues that generalists—not specialists—are often best positioned to innovate and solve big problems.
5. Ronnie Screwvala
Co-founder and Chairperson, upGrad
Most Impactful Read: World Order by Henry Kissinger
With his background in media and education, Screwvala found deep strategic and geopolitical insights in Kissinger’s treatise on global leadership and diplomacy, applying them to his own business thinking.
6. Vamsi Krishna
Co-founder and CEO, Vedantu
Most Impactful Reads: High Output Management by Andy Grove and Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
Krishna draws from both the tactical world of operations management and the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence. Together, these books reflect his dual focus on execution and future-readiness.
7. Deepinder Goyal
CEO, Zomato
Most Impactful Read: Breath by James Nestor
A unique recommendation, Goyal points to the science of breathing as transformative for health, performance, and mental clarity. “Breath” dives deep into how something as simple as mindful respiration can affect every aspect of life.
From self-mastery to systems thinking, these books reveal what inspires and informs the visionaries behind some of India’s most innovative startups. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a lifelong learner, these CEO-recommended reads offer invaluable lessons beyond the boardroom.
