Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Former Oracle Employee Builds Kolkata Tourism Business After Quitting
Soham Chakrabarty used to work at Oracle but decided that job was not right for him.
He went back to Kolkata and drove an Uber.
While driving, he discovered more places around the city and learned about its people.
His parents also hosted travellers in an Airbnb.
One guest asked Soham to show them around, and that gave him an idea.
He started Calcutta Capsule, which runs tours and travel experiences in Kolkata.
He also helps run Airbnb properties with his parents.
Soham says his business now earns him much more than his old job did.
He says people should take risks but also think carefully about how they will earn money.
Soham Chakrabarty left Oracle in Bengaluru after three years, saying IT work did not suit him.
After returning to Kolkata in 2017, he drove for Uber and became more interested in the city.
A guest at his parents’ Airbnb asked for a tour, which helped inspire a walking-tour business.
He founded Calcutta Capsule, offering walking tours and travel experiences, and also runs Airbnb properties with his parents.
Chakrabarty says he now earns four to five times his former annual IT salary and has hosted more than 4,000 guests.
- Who
- Soham Chakrabarty, founder of Calcutta Capsule.
- What
- He left Oracle and built a tourism business offering Kolkata tours and travel experiences.
- When
- He left Oracle after three years and returned to Kolkata in 2017; the article does not specify when Calcutta Capsule began.
- Where
- He worked at Oracle in Bengaluru and now operates tourism and Airbnb businesses in Kolkata.
- Why
- He said IT work did not suit him and he wanted work with more meaning.
Reasons to take career risks
Need for financial planning
Leaving a stable job
Reasons to take career risks
Chakrabarty left a job he said did not suit him to pursue work he found more meaningful.
Need for financial planning
He also advised people to consider what can provide a financial return over the long term.
- Former employer
- Oracle
- Time at Oracle
- Three years
- Return to Kolkata
- 2017
- Business
- Calcutta Capsule, offering walking tours and travel experiences
- Reported earnings
- Four to five times his former annual IT salary
- Guests hosted
- More than 4,000, including over 2,000 foreign tourists
- Financial independence
- He said it took around two years to become financially independent without relying on savings.