The Remarkable Journey of Shishir Gupta

Shishir Gupta’s life is a story of unimaginable challenges and extraordinary resilience. Born into a family with a thriving business empire, his life took a tragic turn when he lost his father just before his Class 10 exams. Struggling with grief, he scored only 33 marks in Mathematics, shattering his dream of becoming an engineer.

To make matters worse, his relatives seized the business his father had built and even took the ₹50,000 Shishir had painstakingly saved from his pocket money. Left with the responsibility of his mother and a younger brother nine years his junior, Shishir was forced to work in the same factory where he was once an owner.

His relatives humiliated him daily, treated him like a laborer, and even pushed him to the brink by suggesting he end his life. But Shishir didn’t give up. He decided to fight back.

Building a New Path

Balancing work and studies, Shishir pursued higher education and earned a master’s degree in business and a bachelor’s in law with an A grade. He rebuilt his life step by step, starting a business and accumulating wealth through relentless hard work.

But life wasn’t done testing him.

Setbacks That Would Break Anyone

Shishir lost all his life’s savings investing in apartments from fraudulent builders like Amrapali, SRS, and NRI Global. Simultaneously, his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and for 10 years, he juggled hospital visits and her treatment. During this time, his co-founder betrayed him, leaving him in massive debt.

As if this weren’t enough, Shishir lost huge sums in the stock market, all his bitcoins due to a hacked exchange, and suffered devastating business losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, he also lost his mother to black fungus during this period.

"Pareshani bhi ab pareshan kar kar ke khud pareshan ho gai hai," he recalls with a bittersweet smile.

Rising from the Ashes

Despite these overwhelming challenges, Shishir refused to quit. He rebuilt himself time and again, fueled by an unshakable determination and faith in God’s grace. Today, he is the Founder of StartupLanes, headquartered in Goa and operating in 56 cities across 15 countries.

StartupLanes has achieved remarkable milestones:

Over ₹385 crores invested in 135,000+ startups.

A thriving network of Venture Partners.

A community of 1 lakh+ members across 125 WhatsApp groups, helping people find jobs, mentorship, and funding.

A Vision for Bharat

Shishir’s mission goes beyond personal success. He sees himself in every aspiring entrepreneur and has pledged to create 1 million jobs for the people of India. Through StartupLanes, he empowers others by teaching them how to evaluate startups, raise funds, and scale businesses.

"There was a time I wondered how I’d survive—if I’d ever find work or have money in my pocket. Now, I barely have time to rest. It’s all the grace of God," Shishir says humbly.

A Legacy of Resilience and Service

Shishir Gupta’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and an unrelenting spirit. From losing everything multiple times to building a global startup ecosystem, his story inspires millions to never give up.

"Keep fighting. You will achieve whatever you desire," Shishir advises. And with his life as proof, it’s clear that no challenge is insurmountable with hard work and hope.

Join him in his mission to transform Bharat into a land of opportunities and build a brighter future for all.