Startup founder says Bengaluru is ‘Exhausted’; Internet agrees

A startup founder’s recent post on LinkedIn has gone viral for capturing a sentiment many in the city’s tech ecosystem have quietly felt but rarely voiced: Bengaluru, once a vibrant symbol of India’s startup hustle, is showing signs of burnout.

Also Read: Bengaluru tenants turn to homeownership amid rising rental exploitation

In his satirical yet sharply honest reflection, the founder remarked that after spending ten days in the city, meeting everyone from entrepreneurs and marketers to designers and even a meme page admin, one thing had become clear — people were exhausted. While he acknowledged that the coffee remains strong, startups continue to pivot, and LinkedIn posts are thriving, he suggested that beneath the surface lies a collective fatigue.

He cited three everyday frustrations that seem to represent the city’s growing weariness: the infamous traffic on Marathahalli Bridge, the “too-perfect” weather tempting people into midday naps, and the challenge of finding an autorickshaw after 6 PM. Referring to the bridge, he joked that success in life now includes crossing it twice daily. He also noted that the city’s climate has led people to block their work calendars just to relax or go on breezy walks.

The auto situation, he said, had turned drivers into accidental life coaches, offering lessons in rejection, negotiation, and detachment.

The post also humorously touched on the recent bike taxi ban, calling Rapido “the Roman Empire” for its once-consistent presence. Those enduring the city’s daily grind, he suggested, deserved stock options in emotional damage.

Though laced with satire, the post resonated deeply. In the comments, users shared their own experiences of burnout and nostalgia. One recalled a slower, quieter Bengaluru filled with pink blossoms and lazy roads. Another admitted the post reminded them of the emotional exhaustion they’d tried to ignore.

Despite the critique, the founder ended on a heartfelt note, expressing his love for the city. For many, it echoed a truth they hadn’t articulated: Bengaluru may be burnt out, but its spirit endures — powered by caffeine, memory, and a quiet resilience.