Startup.Pedia

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently compared entrepreneurs to gangsters during a recent episode of his “People by WTF” podcast featuring General Atlantic Co-President Martin Escobari.

During the conversation on entrepreneurship and risk-taking, Kamath said, “There is something similar between an entrepreneur and a gangster.”

He explained that both groups often share traits such as ambition, unconventional thinking and the ability to challenge established systems.

“So few of them make it, so many of them die early,” he added, receiving a jovial laughter from Martin Escobari.

He clarified that the comparison was psychological rather than ethical, arguing that successful founders are usually willing to operate outside traditional norms and take risks that most people avoid.

Escobari agreed that entrepreneurs in emerging economies are often shaped by instability and scarcity, making them more resilient and adaptable.

As someone who grew up in Bolivia during a period of hyperinflation and political turmoil, Escobari shared how difficult environments can shape stronger business instincts and long-term thinking.

“America is freaking out about 5% inflation. We had 35,000%,” Escobari said, while contrasting developed and emerging market experiences.

He also spoke about witnessing multiple coups and economic collapses during his childhood, experiences that shaped his long-term investment philosophy.

“The barrier to building something meaningful has never been lower,” Kamath remarked during the discussion.

The podcast also explored artificial intelligence, venture capital trends and how emerging economies are becoming central to global innovation and capital flows.

Martin Escobari is the Co-President of General Atlantic, one of the world’s largest growth equity firms with significant investments across India, Latin America and Asia. He has led investments in technology, healthcare and consumer companies globally.