In a candid revelation, Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Zomato's parent company Eternal, has disclosed that he asked Albinder Dhindsa, the founder of quick commerce platform Blinkit, to step down from his role not once, but twice. This happened shortly after Zomato's high-profile acquisition of Blinkit, as part of what Goyal describes as his "tough leadership reset" method.
The Tough Conversations Post-Acquisition
Speaking on a video podcast with Raj Shamani, Goyal provided a rare glimpse into the challenging integration period following the 2022 acquisition of Blinkit for Rs 4,447 crore (approximately $568 million). Goyal stated that these direct conversations occurred when Dhindsa was struggling to adapt to the significant changes required after Blinkit became part of the larger Eternal ecosystem, which owns both Zomato and Blinkit.
"Right after we acquired Blinkit, I asked him (Albinder) to leave. I told him, 'You will not be able to cut it.' He said okay. This happened twice during that timeframe, and we started the transition," Goyal recounted on the podcast. This move underscores the complex dynamics that unfold when successful startup founders integrate into larger corporate structures after an acquisition.
Goyal's "Rock Bottom" Leadership Philosophy
Goyal elaborated on his unconventional leadership style, which involves extended coaching periods but culminates in direct confrontation if needed. "All of us have this armour. And when patient coaching runs out, I penetrate this armour. Me being angry is also because I care," he explained. He described a phase he deliberately engineers, calling it "rock bottom."
"I call this rock bottom, where I hurt people, their self-confidence completely goes for a toss. I do this with people who I think have insane potential, but something in their head is coming in their way," Goyal said. He claims a high success rate for this intense method, stating, "Over time, the success rate of this is four out of five, where they come out of it."
Blinkit's Journey and the Road Ahead
While Goyal did not confirm whether Albinder Dhindsa's official role or duties were altered during this period, his comments highlight the intense process of assimilating Blinkit into Eternal. The acquisition marked Zomato's formal entry into India's booming quick commerce sector, a space now characterized by fierce competition.
Despite the initial leadership challenges, Blinkit has evolved into a key growth engine for Eternal. The company has aggressively expanded its footprint by opening numerous new stores and consistently handling a rising volume of orders, proving critical to Eternal's broader market strategy.
This revelation from Deepinder Goyal offers a raw look at the difficult decisions and personal confrontations that can drive corporate integrations, especially in India's fast-paced and competitive tech and startup landscape.
