For many engineering students, getting a job at Google is a dream. MBA degree from IIM Lucknow is another milestone. A career at McKinsey & Company often completes what many would describe as a perfect career journey.But for Rohit Chennamaneni, these achievements were never the final destination.Rather than spending his career climbing the corporate ladder, the VIT Vellore graduate embarked on the entrepreneurial journey with three friends. They started with a small office, a few chairs and 11 employees. Today, the startup Darwinbox is valued at over Rs 9,500 crore, making it Hyderabad’s first unicorn and one of India’s largest global HR technology companies.His journey provides students with an important lesson: Academic excellence can open doors, but courage can often change lives.
VIT graduates whose excellence extends far beyond academics
Rohit Chennamaneni did his B.Tech from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, where he was known for more than just academics.He graduated second in college, but his achievements extended far beyond the classroom. He served as the head of publicity for VIT’s flagship cultural festival Riviera, organized national technical seminars, and represented the university in tennis competitions, eventually becoming vice-captain of the university’s tennis team and winning the national intercollegiate championship.Former classmates often described him as someone who rarely immersed himself in textbooks, but who consistently topped the academic charts while being actively involved in athletics, testing, campus leadership and mentoring.These qualities later became the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey.
From Google to IIM Lucknow and McKinsey
While continuing his engineering studies, Rohit worked as a search quality analyst at Google, gaining exposure to one of the world’s leading technology companies.After graduation, he joined Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow where he completed his MBA and secured a place in the Directors’ Merit List.His corporate career continued to flourish.After interning in Singapore, he received a pre-employment offer from Procter & Gamble and subsequently joined McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s most prestigious management consulting firms.Over the next several years, he worked with large organizations to solve complex business challenges and build relationships across industries.From the outside, this looks like an ideal career path.
A decision that changes everything
In 2015, Rohit made a decision that surprised many.Along with his friends Jayant Paleti, Chaitanya Peddi and Vineet, he quit a high-paying consulting career to launch a startup.The situation is not optimistic.The enterprise human resources software market is already dominated by global technology giants such as SAP and Oracle. As a young Indian startup, winning the trust of big corporates is nearly impossible.The founders began their journey in a humble penthouse, reportedly with just a bed, four chairs and a team of just 11 people.Rather than competing on scale, they are focused on solving real problems faced by organizations managing thousands of employees.
Building Hyderabad’s first unicorn
The result is Darwinbox, an AI-powered, cloud-based human resources management system (HRMS) platform.The company is slowly starting to attract large enterprises by offering modern, mobile-first HR solutions that simplify recruiting, payroll, employee engagement and performance management.Their early experience at firms such as McKinsey and Ernst & Young also helped them understand corporate clients and build valuable business relationships.Over time, Darwinbox expanded rapidly in Indian and international markets.Today, the company serves several major organizations including HDFC Bank, YES BANK, Kotak Life, BigBasket, TVS, National Stock Exchange (NSE), Vedantu and OYO, among others.The startup has since become Hyderabad’s first unicorn company with a valuation of over Rs 9,500 crore.
Trust entrepreneurs who take calculated risks
People who studied and worked with Rohit often describe him as someone who remains calm under pressure, enjoys solving difficult problems and motivating those around him.Former classmates recall his ability to combine analytical thinking with creativity, while colleagues praise his mentoring skills and collaborative leadership.These qualities become invaluable when building a company in one of the most competitive enterprise software markets in the world.Instead of shying away from uncertainty, Rohit embraced it.
What students can learn from Rohit’s journey
Rohit Chennamaneni’s story reminds students that success is rarely defined by a single exam, degree or job opportunity.His academic excellence undoubtedly helped him land opportunities at Google, IIM Lucknow and McKinsey. However, his willingness to leave a comfortable career to pursue a difficult entrepreneurial dream ultimately changed his journey.For engineering and management students preparing for their careers, his story offers some lessons:• Build a strong academic foundation, but don’t limit yourself to the classroom.• Participate in athletics, leadership activities, and campus organizations.• Learn from various workplaces before considering starting a business.• Don’t be afraid to compete with the global giants if you have a better solution.• Sometimes, the greatest opportunities lie beyond the safest career paths.Today, Darwinbox is one of India’s largest global HR technology success stories, proving that a small team with a lot of conviction can challenge industry leaders and create something extraordinary.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information, professional profiles, company announcements, interviews and other publicly available sources. Company valuations, career details and business milestones may change over time. This article is for informational and inspirational purposes only.