Founder Editor Team
Pankaj Chaddah, co-founder of the iconic food-tech giant Zomato, is one of the driving forces behind the company’s meteoric rise to global prominence. With a background in technology, finance, and a knack for entrepreneurship, Chaddah’s journey from an analyst at Bain & Company to one of the most well-known faces in India’s startup ecosystem is nothing short of inspiring. An IIT-Delhi graduate, his partnership with Deepinder Goyal has been instrumental in shaping Zomato into the global food delivery and restaurant discovery platform it is today.
The Origins of Zomato: A Friendship Transformed into Entrepreneurship
Pankaj Chaddah and Deepinder Goyal’s story begins back in 2008, when both were working as analysts at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. While working together, they quickly became close friends, bonding over shared interests, complementary skills, and a vision for creating something impactful. During their time at Bain, they recognized the potential for a business idea that could change the way people interacted with food and dining.
The initial spark for Zomato came when the duo noticed the lack of digital resources in India for browsing restaurant menus and discovering dining options. At that time, the food and restaurant industry in India was largely offline, and people had limited access to reliable, up-to-date information about dining options, reviews, and prices. This gap in the market presented an opportunity, and Chaddah and Goyal decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
In 2008, they launched Foodiebay, a website where users could browse restaurant menus and read reviews. The idea was simple but powerful: to make restaurant information more accessible and help consumers make informed dining decisions. Within a year, Foodiebay rebranded to Zomato, a name that was more catchy and global in appeal, and expanded its services beyond menus to include restaurant reviews, ratings, and more.
Zomato’s Growth: From Startup to Global Powerhouse
Pankaj Chaddah played a pivotal role in Zomato’s initial growth phase, overseeing the company’s strategy and operational management. As Zomato gained traction in India, it quickly expanded into international markets, becoming one of the first successful Indian startups to make a mark globally. Today, Zomato operates in dozens of countries and has become one of the most recognizable names in food-tech.
Chaddah’s background in management consulting and his experience working with Bain gave him a sharp business acumen that helped guide Zomato through its early stages. He was particularly adept at identifying key growth areas, optimizing operations, and building strong relationships with investors and restaurant partners. His expertise in product management, marketing, and scaling operations was instrumental in establishing Zomato as a dominant force in the competitive food-tech industry.
Under his leadership, Zomato diversified its services beyond restaurant discovery. The company ventured into food delivery, table reservations, online ordering, and even digital payments. This strategic diversification allowed Zomato to capture multiple revenue streams and become an integrated platform for all things food-related.
One of the most notable achievements of Chaddah and Goyal’s leadership was the company’s IPO in 2021, which marked a significant milestone in Zomato’s journey. The IPO not only gave the company access to capital but also symbolized the maturing of the Indian startup ecosystem, with Zomato becoming one of the first food-tech unicorns to list on the Indian stock market.
The Role of Pankaj Chaddah in Zomato’s Evolution
While Deepinder Goyal has been the public face of Zomato, Pankaj Chaddah’s contributions have often been behind the scenes. Known for his pragmatic approach to business, Chaddah has been responsible for driving Zomato’s financial growth, optimizing its business models, and ensuring the smooth execution of its strategies. His calm and measured approach has complemented Goyal’s more charismatic, visionary leadership style, creating a powerful co-founder duo.
However, in 2018, Pankaj Chaddah decided to step down as Zomato’s COO to focus on his other entrepreneurial ventures. Although he left the day-to-day operations of Zomato, his legacy as a co-founder remains central to the company’s identity. He has continued to be involved with the company in an advisory capacity, offering guidance to the team and supporting the next generation of leaders.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Future Vision
Pankaj Chaddah’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and the power of friendship in business. His journey with Deepinder Goyal showcases the importance of complementary skill sets and shared values in creating a successful startup. Chaddah’s ability to foresee market trends, build scalable business models, and maintain operational efficiency has been instrumental in Zomato’s success.
While he may have moved on from Zomato’s operational leadership, Chaddah’s entrepreneurial spirit remains alive in the Indian startup ecosystem. His work continues to inspire budding entrepreneurs, particularly in the tech and food sectors, to innovate and create solutions that solve real-world problems.
As Zomato continues to evolve and adapt to the challenges of a dynamic food-tech market, Pankaj Chaddah’s legacy will undoubtedly remain a touchstone for future generations of founders.
