Deepinder Goyal”s journey in the tech world began in Punjab, where he grew up in a farming family in the village of Lambwali. His childhood was filled with the scents of rain-soaked earth and ripe wheat, and laughter echoed as he played with his siblings. Initially aspiring to become a doctor, he chose a more stable path as a biology teacher. His wife, Kaushalya, taught English and shared his conviction that education is a form of liberation. Together, they raised their sons, Geetinder and Deepinder, in Muktsar, a town still recovering from the violent upheavals of the 1980s in Punjab. In their home, books held greater importance than wealth.
Deepinder”s formative years were characterized by a stark contrast; he was shielded from the surrounding violence but burdened by deep-seated insecurities. He struggled with a stammer, faced bullying due to his looks, and was often compared unfavorably to his academically successful older brother. This teasing had a lasting impact on him, prompting a withdrawal into himself while fostering a strong resolve to prove his value. He later confessed, “Even now, I hate being compared to others.” Unbeknownst to his family, he was grappling with undiagnosed Asperger”s Syndrome, which influenced his worldview.
A pivotal moment in school came when a teacher discreetly provided him with answers during an exam, allowing him to achieve third place in class. The newfound attention and validation were exhilarating. Following the teacher”s departure, Deepinder felt a sense of panic and began to study intensively to maintain his position. By the end of the year, he had risen to first place and recognized that “success didn”t require endless hours; it required focus.”
While in Chandigarh, he met Albinder Dhindsa, who would later become his co-founder at Blinkit. Bonding over their shared outsider status, they prepared for the IIT entrance exam together. After barely making it into the lowest tier, they decided to take the exam for experience and both succeeded. At IIT Delhi, Deepinder fell in love with mathematics student Kanchan Joshi, whom he eventually married. His entrepreneurial spirit ignited early; he created small websites, sold code, and conceptualized ventures that often failed but offered valuable lessons. One of these concepts, Foodlet.com, laid the groundwork for what would become Zomato.
After graduating, he joined Bain & Company in Gurugram, where a daily issue in the cafeteria—long lines and disheveled menus—sparked an idea that would transform his life. On January 26, 2008, coinciding with his 25th birthday, he launched Foodlet.in, later rebranded as Foodiebay.com. The platform started by sharing scanned menus among colleagues. With the support of co-worker Pankaj Chaddah, who promoted it internally, the traffic surged, establishing India”s first restaurant discovery platform. By the end of 2009, Foodiebay had listings in three cities.
Deepinder left Bain, much to his father”s dismay, who feared his son was risking a stable future. Pankaj also took a leave of absence to join him full-time. They borrowed ₹2 lakh from their families and set up their operations in a living room. Kanchan prepared meals for the team, her sister Mehak managed the menus, and IIT junior Gunjan Patidar coded tirelessly at night. The venture was chaotic, improvised, and full of passion. When Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge, discovered the site and offered a $1 million investment, Foodiebay officially became Zomato, paving the way for a new chapter.
The story of Zomato evolved further, eventually transforming into “Eternal Ltd,” as it ventured beyond food delivery into supply chains, entertainment, and a lasting impact. During an internal bootcamp, Deepinder asked his team, “Who here is afraid of failure?” Every hand raised. He emphasized that avoiding small failures meant missing out on significant opportunities. This moment encapsulated Zomato”s next phase.
The company”s expansion beyond restaurants began years prior with the acquisition of WOTU, a Bengaluru-based startup focused on fresh produce supply chains, which evolved into Hyperpure, Zomato”s initiative for sourcing ingredients for restaurants. An insider noted, “If Zomato served diners, Hyperpure served chefs,” providing consistency and transparency in the often-overlooked supply chain.
The development of Blinkit, a quick-commerce platform, added further momentum to Zomato”s growth. In 2024, the company acquired Paytm Insider”s events division, merging it with Zomato Live to create District—a comprehensive platform for dining, music, and experiences. To Deepinder, District represented not just another application, but an ecosystem for India to enjoy food, gatherings, and celebrations under one roof. Each acquisition contributed a new layer; Hyperpure grounded Zomato, Blinkit accelerated its pace, and District broadened its cultural influence. Together, these elements shaped Deepinder”s vision of “Eternal,” a long-term strategy transcending mere quarterly performance.
In February 2025, Zomato Ltd officially rebranded as Eternal Ltd, marking its entry into the BSE Sensex 17 since its inception. In a letter to shareholders, Deepinder reflected, “Becoming the first tech startup in India to reach the Sensex is a moment of pride and introspection. It carries a responsibility toward our customers, our teams, and the nation.” For him, “Eternal” was more than a corporate identity; it embodied a philosophy focused on creating something enduring beyond trends, cycles, and even its founder. What began as Foodiebay in a Gurugram apartment evolved into a national symbol of reinvention, transitioning from scanned menus to intricate supply chains and from delivery bikes to public markets, as the company shifted from speed to sustainability. Deepinder remarked to his team, “We”ve broken some ice. Now we need to build for generations.”
