In FY26, fixed salaries for 16 founders across 10 leading Indian tech startups collectively rose by 8.2% to ₹43.4 crore, reflecting a trend of moderate pay increases amid shifting market dynamics. While most founders saw pay hikes, variations in bonuses and stock-based incentives highlight the multifaceted nature of startup compensation.
- Average founder fixed pay increased to ₹2.7 Cr in FY26 from ₹2.5 Cr in FY25
- Significant bonus and ESOP components mask fixed pay changes
- Winners and losers in founder salaries reflect diverse startup trajectories
What happened
During FY26, 16 founders from 10 prominent Indian tech startups received a total fixed remuneration of ₹43.4 crore, up 8.2% from the previous year's ₹40.2 crore. The average fixed salary per founder rose to ₹2.7 crore, signaling a sustained increase in founder compensation despite challenging market conditions.
Among individual changes, Honasa Consumer cofounder Ghazal Alagh recorded the highest fixed pay growth at 60%, followed by a 21.4% increase for Delhivery’s Sahil Barua. Conversely, some founders like Nykaa’s Falguni Nayar and Swiggy’s Sriharsha Majety faced declines of 14% and 12.5%, respectively. Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal remained the top fixed salary earner despite a slight reduction.
Why it matters
These figures illustrate how Indian startups are navigating compensation amid evolving financial landscapes, balancing fixed salaries with performance-linked incentives, bonuses, and equity benefits. Fixed pay is only part of total founder earnings, as major bonuses and ESOP gains contribute significantly, such as Majety’s ₹549.3 crore ESOP gains or Bansal’s ₹12 crore bonus and incentives.
This shift reflects an ecosystem moving from rapid funding-fueled expansion toward mature profitability and public market readiness. Founder remuneration structures increasingly align with company performance and long-term value creation, rather than upfront fixed compensation alone.
What to watch next
Monitoring how founders’ total compensation—including bonuses, stock options, and retirement benefits—evolves will provide insight into startup governance and investor confidence as Indian tech firms pursue profitability and IPOs. Pay adjustments, whether increases or cuts, may mirror strategic shifts responding to economic pressures and growth targets.
Further updates to this tracker will reveal broader trends in startup remuneration frameworks in India, highlighting how remuneration practices influence founder incentives, employee retention, and overall company performance during a critical phase for the Indian tech ecosystem.