Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Student Reveals US, Indian Startup Founders Differ on Approachability
A student named Hriday Kadam sent messages to startup company founders.
He messaged founders in India and in San Francisco.
He wanted to see how they would talk to a student they did not know.
Most founders in San Francisco were very friendly.
They talked to him like he was their equal, or their 'peer.'
They asked him questions and listened to his ideas.
Founders in India were not always as easy to talk to.
Some acted as if they were above the conversation.
Kadam said this is not true for everyone.
Many people online agreed and said it has to do with culture — America is more flat and casual, while India is more formal and respects rank.
Hriday Kadam, a student, cold-messaged startup founders in both India and San Francisco/Silicon Valley.
Kadam found most San Francisco founders talked to him like a peer, asking questions and genuinely hearing out his ideas.
Indian founders were generally less approachable; some carried a 'founder aura' as if positioning themselves above the conversation.
Kadam stressed the difference is not universally true, calling it an observed difference in communication styles.
The post gained traction online, with commenters linking the contrast to North America's flattened hierarchy versus India's hierarchical culture.
- Who
- Hriday Kadam, a student who cold-messaged startup founders in India and San Francisco.
- What
- A viral comparison of how receptive US and Indian startup founders are to an unknown student, with San Francisco founders seen as more peer-like and approachable.
- When
- The article does not state a specific date, only that Kadam's post recently gained attention on social media.
- Where
- India, and San Francisco/Silicon Valley in the USA.
- Why
- Kadam wanted to compare networking cultures and how established entrepreneurs interact with the next generation.
- Student
- Hriday Kadam
- Comparison
- Startup founders in India vs. San Francisco/Silicon Valley, USA
- Method
- Cold direct messaging (cold DM'ing) founders in both countries
- Key finding
- SF founders talked to him like a peer; Indian founders were less approachable
- Caveat
- Kadam said the observation is not universally true
- Reaction
- Post gained traction; users largely agreed
- Common explanation
- Flattened hierarchy in North America vs. hierarchical culture in India