Kuldeep Rathore: The Student Who Failed His Entrance Exam and Built a $1.1 Million Startup
Some success stories start with a failed exam and a decision to keep going anyway. Kuldeep Rathore’s story is one of those.
Kuldeep Rathore could not clear JEE Advanced, India’s highly competitive engineering entrance exam, even after taking a full year out to prepare for it. That would have been the end of the road for many students. Surprisingly, it turned out to be the beginning of something much bigger for Kuldeep
In September 2023, he discovered the IIT Madras BS Degree Program in Data Science, an online program flexible enough to allow him to study while building businesses at the same time. That flexibility changed everything.
How Kuldeep Learnt by Doing
Kuldeep did not wait to finish his studies before starting. In May 2024, he and his co-founder Shivansh launched Zodok, a fashion-focused quick-commerce startup in Pune. They rented a flat near a supply hub, built their own website, and ran operations themselves. The hustle paid off as Zodok scaled to around 100 orders per day and over 10,000 users before being acquired by a company called KNOT.
Rather than stepping back after the acquisition, Kuldeep joined KNOT as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, working directly in the founder’s office. There, he helped launch two private labels that achieved a 90% sell-through rate and built supply networks connecting over 100 manufacturers across India and China. Every experience added a layer of practical knowledge that no classroom could have taught him as quickly.
Building on Everything He Learned
Armed with a deep understanding of supply chains, sourcing, and customer demand, Kuldeep launched his most ambitious venture yet: SamanNow, a quick-commerce startup focused on delivering everyday products within 60 minutes in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. The goal is to make fast, affordable delivery accessible beyond the country’s biggest cities.
SamanNow has since raised USD 1.1 million in pre-seed funding from investors including Antler, Titan Capital, and All In Capital. This is a major milestone for a student who could not crack an entrance exam just a few years ago.
His Message to Students
Kuldeep’s journey carries a clear message for students who feel held back by academic results. One examination can influence your path, but it does not have to determine your destination. Potential shows up in unexpected places, and practical experience opens doors that exam scores alone cannot.
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