New Delhi | January 2026

Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has spoken candidly about his difficult childhood, revealing how bullying, academic struggles and a speech impediment deeply affected his confidence for years. The entrepreneur shared his personal journey while appearing on creator Raj Shamani’s podcast, where the conversation moved beyond business topics to reflect on his early life experiences.

During the discussion, Goyal, 42, recalled being bullied at school, particularly because of his stammering and appearance. Describing himself as a child, he said he was short, dark and struggled to speak fluently, which often made him an easy target. He also admitted that academics did not come easily to him, sharing that he scored just 42 per cent in Class 11 — a mark typically seen as poor in the conventional education system.

Goyal revealed that the bullying went beyond classmates, adding that some parents even discouraged their children from befriending him. While his family stood by him, he explained that reassurance at home often felt overshadowed by the harsh judgments of the outside world. According to him, children tend to believe criticism from peers more than encouragement from loved ones, which can deeply affect self-worth.

Opening up about his insecurities, Goyal said his appearance never troubled him as much as his stammering. He recalled moments when people would lose patience while he spoke, often interrupting him or losing interest mid-sentence. This made him feel that his words carried little value and left him questioning whether people believed he could even finish what he was trying to say.

However, the Zomato CEO said he has now made peace with his stammering and no longer views it as a limitation. He acknowledged that success has also changed how people respond to him. Today, he feels more comfortable accepting pauses in his speech, confident that people will listen until he finishes.

When asked if his stammering ever impacted business interactions, Goyal admitted it might have. He said it was possible that some investors chose not to back Zomato because of it, but added that he has learned to live with that reality. His journey, he said, has taught him self-acceptance and 

From Childhood Bullying to Boardrooms: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Reflects on His Insecurities and Stammering

Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal has spoken openly about the challenges he faced during his childhood, revealing how bullying, low academic scores and a speech disorder affected his confidence for years. The entrepreneur shared his personal experiences while appearing on creator Raj Shamani’s podcast, where the discussion moved beyond business to reflect on his early struggles.

Goyal, 42, recalled that he was often targeted at school because of his stammering and physical appearance. Looking back, he described himself as a short, dark child who struggled to express himself fluently and did not perform well in studies. He revealed that he scored only 42 per cent in Class 11, a result that placed him outside the traditional definition of academic success.

He also shared that the bullying was not limited to classmates alone. According to Goyal, some parents even warned their children against being friends with him. While his family continued to support him, he explained that constant criticism from the outside world often overpowered the reassurance he received at home, shaping his insecurities at a young age.

Speaking about his fears, Goyal said his stammering troubled him far more than his looks. He recalled how people would frequently lose patience while he spoke, interrupt him mid-sentence or simply stop listening. These experiences made him feel that his words lacked value and led him to question his ability to communicate effectively.

Over time, however, the Zomato CEO said he has come to terms with his speech condition and no longer sees it as an obstacle. He admitted that success has played a role in changing how people respond to him today. He now feels comfortable taking his time while speaking, knowing that people are willing to listen.

When asked whether his stammering ever impacted professional settings, including meetings with investors, Goyal acknowledged that it possibly did. He said some people may have chosen not to invest in Zomato because of it, but added that he has learned to accept this part of his journey with peace and confidence.