Harsh Pokharna, co-founder and CEO of OkCredit, offers firsthand insight on the challenging road of entrepreneurship after leaving his lucrative position at Flipkart. An IIT Kanpur graduate, Pokharna's decision was propelled by the desire to increase his wealth rapidly, inspired by the success stories of other startup founders around him.
Reflecting on his ten-year entrepreneurial adventure, Pokharna acknowledges the deceptive ease of startup success. “Founders were raising millions of dollars in funding all around me. It seemed easy. But, the reality? Failed for the first two years trying three different ideas,” he recounted. He candidly describes the struggle of burning through his savings and needing to freelance for survival during these challenging times before eventually founding OkCredit.
OkCredit, established in 2017, began as Pokharna realized the inadequacy of his previous attempts. He knew the initial failures were invaluable lessons, emphasizing the need for resilience when embarking on the uncertain path of starting one’s own business. After two years of setbacks, he finally discovered success with OkCredit, marking the start of what would grow to be significant engagement within the financial tech space.
Despite the eventual success of OkCredit, Pokharna wants to clarify what entrepreneurship truly entails. He urges aspiring founders to reconsider the notion of quick riches. “It’s a long-term game, not a get rich quick scheme. Play it only if you truly want to solve a problem, or you’ll end up disappointed,” he states, stressing the importance of genuine drive over the pursuit of immediate wealth.
The startup ecosystem can be misleading, often glamorized by media coverage of successful exits and funding rounds. Many overlook the countless hours, the iterative process of trial and error, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. Pokharna’s story encapsulates the reality many face; the allure of starting up often leads one to forget the consistent dedication it demands.
His experience resonates deeply with many who engage with his story online. “Our situation is kinda similar but the idea we are working on is unique and I believe a small help from people like you can help us faster to overcome, but the problem is whenever we go for help or mentorship nothing is free of cost & there we back off. Hope you try to understand” shared one of his followers, highlighting the challenges many startups encounter seeking guidance without financial barriers.
A community of support has emerged around Pokharna’s experiences, where fellow entrepreneurs share their stories—often filled with struggle and setback similar to his. Each story serves as both reassurance and motivation, affirming the wider truth of the startup narrative: it isn’t about how quickly you can succeed, but rather how resiliently you can learn and adapt when faced with obstacles.
Fast forward to 2025, what started as uncertain beginnings for Pokharna and OkCredit are now part of the fabric of digital finance solutions, supporting numerous microbusinesses with their credit needs. The focus of OkCredit remains on solving real customer problems, which Pokharna reiterates as the core reason for staying committed to the entrepreneurial cause.
His final thoughts are poignant reminders for anyone stepping out from the security of employment to chase their passion projects: businesses should be built on solvable problems rather than just profit margins. “If you truly wish to solve problems, only then should you enter this field, otherwise you'll be disappointed,” he reassures potential founders, underscoring the need for intrinsic motivation over financial gain.
Harsh Pokharna's experiences encapsulate both the struggles and the realities of startup culture—a truthful narrative where persistence, learning from failures, and maintaining focus on genuine problem-solving pave the path to sustainable success.