Archive · 9 Nov 2025
AI Startup Founders Face Racist Trolling After $61 Million Funding
Two smart friends, Varun and Esha, started a company called Giga that uses special computer voices to help businesses talk to customers.
They were very excited because their company got a lot of money, $61 million, to grow bigger!
They shared this good news online.
But, one person online was mean and made fun of how Varun and Esha looked, instead of being happy for them.
Many people on the internet defended Varun and Esha, saying that their smart ideas and the success of their company are what really matter.
They explained that focusing on someone's looks instead of their work is silly and often comes from people who are jealous or insecure.
Giga's technology is already helping big companies like DoorDash, showing that their smart work is more important than their appearance.
Startup Giga's founders, Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, faced racist trolling on X after announcing $61 million in Series A funding.
The trolling targeted their appearance, accents, and Indian background, with a user suggesting they should hire more attractive people for product demonstrations.
Both founders are IIT Kharagpur graduates, Forbes 30 Under 30 honourees, and turned down lucrative job offers to start Giga.
Netizens defended the founders, emphasizing their product's value and achievements over personal looks, calling the criticism insecurity.
Giga uses voice-based AI systems for customer operations and has partnered with DoorDash, aiming to expand to other Fortune 100 companies.
- Who
- Indian startup founders Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep of Giga
- What
- Faced racist and appearance-based trolling on X (formerly Twitter) after announcing their AI startup secured $61 million in Series A funding.
- When
- Following the announcement of their Series A funding, with a key troll post gaining attention around November 5th.
- Where
- Online on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
- Why
- The trolling targeted their appearance and Indian background, rather than celebrating their entrepreneurial success and technological innovation.
Troll User
Defenders/Supporters
Basis of Criticism
Troll User
Mocked the founders' appearance, accents, and Indian background, with one suggesting they should hire more attractive people for product demonstrations.
Defenders/Supporters
Emphasized that the founders' product and achievements are more important than their appearance, and that the criticism stems from insecurity and a lack of competitiveness.
Focus of Discussion
Troll User
Focused on personal looks and perceived attractiveness of the founders.
Defenders/Supporters
Focused on the founders' intelligence, the value of their AI technology, their business success, their decision to pursue passion over high-paying jobs, and the attractiveness of their product.
- Startup Name
- Giga
- Founders
- Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep
- Funding Amount
- $61 million (Series A)
- Funding Led By
- Redpoint Ventures
- Product
- Voice-based AI agents for customer operations
- Key Client
- DoorDash
- Recognition
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- Founders' Education
- IIT Kharagpur alumni
Sources
"Hire Attractive People": Indian-Origin Start-Up Founders Face Racial Trolling
'Black & Indian, Like Cartoon': Indian Startup Founders Face Racist Trolls After Raising $61 Million Funding
X user bullies Forbes 30 under 30 startup founders for their looks, netizens call out racism against Indians online
'Hire attractive...': Indian founders face racist attacks even as their AI startup raises $61 mn
