Archive · 1 Nov 2025
Book Review: 'Unseen' Chronicles Deepinder Goyal's Zomato Journey
Imagine a book all about the person who started a popular food app called Zomato!
This book is like a behind-the-scenes look at his life.
It talks about how he had a tough childhood with bullying, which made him feel sad and insecure.
Even when he did great things with his company, those old hurts stayed with him.
The book also explains how he found out he has something called Asperger's, which helped him understand why he sometimes felt different.
We learn about how he started Zomato, almost by accident, when he saw a problem with restaurant menus.
It wasn't easy; he faced hard decisions, like leaving a good job and dealing with a tough breakup with his business partner.
Sometimes, the company made mistakes, like spending too much money or buying another company that didn't work out.
But through it all, he learned to be brave, admit mistakes, and keep trying.
The book shows that even powerful leaders have feelings and struggles, and it celebrates his honesty and effort.
The book 'Unseen' by Megha Vishwanath chronicles the life of Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal, from his childhood struggles with bullying and Asperger's Syndrome to the company's significant milestones.
Goyal's early life was marked by insecurity stemming from taunts about his appearance and a stammer, which continued to impact him even after achieving professional success.
Zomato began as an 'accidental company' rooted in the basic need to digitize restaurant menus, with significant parental support for its initial phase.
The book details the emotional complexities of co-founder relationships, leadership challenges, strategic miscalculations like the Urbanspoon acquisition, and instances of financial mismanagement.
Despite acknowledging failures and personal limitations, the biography is presented as a tribute to Goyal's vulnerability, earnestness, and resilience in leadership.
- Who
- Deepinder Goyal, founder of Zomato, and author Megha Vishwanath.
- What
- A review of the biography 'Unseen', which details Deepinder Goyal's personal journey, entrepreneurial struggles, and the growth of Zomato.
- When
- The book spans Goyal's childhood to Zomato's IPO and subsequent developments.
- Where
- The narrative covers Zomato's origins in India and its expansion, including the US with the Urbanspoon acquisition.
- Why
- The book aims to provide an intimate look at the psychological realities, vulnerabilities, and resilience behind the founding and growth of a major startup.
Book's Tone
Author's Approach
Sympathy vs. Objectivity
Book's Tone
The reviewer notes sections of the book appear 'hagiographic' and 'overtly filled with unabashed admiration', suggesting a sympathetic tone towards Deepinder Goyal.
Author's Approach
The author, Megha Vishwanath, is described as taking care to avoid pure idolization, giving fair space to failures, interpersonal conflicts, and personal limitations.
Focus on Success vs. Failures
Book's Tone
The narrative is seen as celebrating Deepinder's earnestness and resilience, with strengths sometimes appearing 'heroic'.
Author's Approach
The book candidly admits to failures, strategic miscalculations, leadership mistakes, and ethical dilemmas, attributing them to inexperience and pressures, rather than intentional wrongdoing.
- Book Title
- Unseen: The untold story of Deepinder Goyal and the making of Zomato
- Author
- Megha Vishwanath
- Reviewer
- Mohit Hira
- Key Themes
- Childhood trauma, entrepreneurial challenges, personal growth, company evolution, leadership lessons
- Zomato's Origins
- Started from a cafeteria need to digitize menus
- Key Relationships
- Partnership with Pankaj Chaddah, mentorship from Sanjeev Bikhchandani