A viral social media post about a young intern who moved to Bengaluru for a ₹5,000 stipend to gain startup experience has triggered widespread debate about ambition, mentorship, and work culture in India’s startup ecosystem.
The story was shared by Sudhanshu Bhatia, co-founder of analytics startup Matiks, who highlighted the dedication of his intern Ritesh Shandilya in a post on X and LinkedIn.
In the post, Bhatia described Ritesh as a “star intern” who chose learning over money while joining the early-stage startup.
Intern chose learning over higher pay
According to Bhatia, Ritesh was a third-year college student already earning ₹25,000 per month during another internship. However, when Matiks offered him a stipend of ₹5,000, he still accepted the offer.
“Not for money but for learning. Said working closely with IIT graduates would teach him more,” Bhatia wrote.
The founder explained that the startup team had quit their jobs in September 2024 and later moved to Bengaluru in October, with Ritesh deciding to relocate with them despite the low stipend.
During the early days of the startup, the team reportedly worked seven days a week, reflecting the intense pace often associated with early-stage ventures.
Bhatia also shared that he encouraged Ritesh to take Sundays off, but the intern declined, saying he preferred to continue working and learning.
Over time, the founder said the intern had become like a younger brother to the team, praising his growth and dedication.
Social media divided over the story
While many social media users admired the intern’s commitment and learning mindset, others criticised the situation as an example of startup hustle culture placing unrealistic expectations on young professionals.
Some users applauded Ritesh’s determination, saying that exposure to the right environment and mentorship can accelerate learning far beyond traditional internships.
However, critics argued that surviving on ₹5,000 per month in Bengaluru would be extremely difficult, suggesting the intern might have had to spend additional money to sustain himself in the city.
Others questioned whether startups should celebrate such stories without acknowledging the financial challenges faced by interns.
Despite the divided reactions, the story has ignited broader discussions about mentorship, opportunity, and fair compensation in India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.