'Just Bengaluru things': Intern quits job on WhatsApp chat with boss after landing funding for his AI startup

In an amusing twist, an intern at a Bengaluru tech company called quits on his internship following his startup securing funding.

The incident came to the fore when Karthik Sridharan, CEO of Flexiple, made his WhatsApp conversation with the intern public on social media.

Sridharan, who co-founded Flexiple, a global platform connecting tech professionals with employers, reached out to the unnamed intern to inquire about his absence from work on a Friday. The intern's response took an unexpected turn.

In the conversation, the intern explained that he had taken the day off to meet with a venture capitalist and then dropped the bombshell that his AI startup had just received funding, making the internship unnecessary.

'I don¡¯t need the internship anymore'

¡°Hey, sorry I took a leave because I had a meeting with a VC. My AI startup got funded. I don¡¯t need the internship anymore,¡± the intern wrote to Sridharan.

Sridharan shared this exchange on X, adding his own remark: ¡°This only happens in Bangalore.¡±

The post quickly went viral, sparking a range of reactions from social media users. Some praised the intern for his entrepreneurial success and wished him luck in his new venture. Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler, commented, ¡°Glad for the kid! Just hope someone guide him to get better at communications as well!¡±

This only happens in Bangalore - pic.twitter.com/KtfB6dhJl5

¡ª Karthik Sridharan (@KarthikS2206) September 1, 2024

However, not everyone was impressed. Some users criticized the intern's abrupt departure, pointing out the importance of professionalism. ¡°I think this is disrespectful to some extent but understandable,¡± one X user noted.

Another added, ¡°No matter how young or inexperienced someone is, basic communication skills, respect for others is needed.¡±

On the lighter side, one user quipped, ¡°I guess that internship was just the warm-up!¡± while another simply remarked, ¡°Just Bengaluru things,¡± accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Bengaluru's startup ecosystem

Bengaluru is often dubbed as India's startup capital, a reputation supported by the city¡¯s performance in the Startup Genome's Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, where it outranks both Delhi and Mumbai.

At a recent event in July, Karnataka's IT Minister, Priyank Kharge, highlighted Bengaluru¡¯s projected GDP growth rate of 8.5% until 2035, reinforcing its status as a prime startup hub.

The city, which currently ranks 21st globally, is home to 45 of India¡¯s 112 unicorns, boasting a combined valuation of USD 161 billion. Bengaluru's leadership aims to propel the city into the top 10, with aspirations of eventually ranking among the top three startup ecosystems worldwide.

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