“I don’t need just engineers”: IIM grad replies after viral backlash for rejecting 4 IITians for startup

A startup founder recently turned down four IITian job applicants, stirring an online debate. Dev Taneja, the entrepreneur, is an IIM graduate, having studied strategic management through an online program from IIM Bangalore.

Startup founder opens up on Instagram

He shared a video on Instagram explaining why he didn’t bring the IITians on board.

Taneja reasoned that the candidates, though they had graduated from India’s most prestigious engineering institute, were not the right fit for his company.

In the video, the founder pointed out that the applicants possessed strong academic backgrounds and demonstrated high intelligence.

“I am a very very intuitive person,” he said. “If your energy doesn’t match, we can’t work with you!”

According to Taneja, the founding team defines the culture that your company will have. 

“It’s not just about your skills or degrees,” he said. “I don’t need just engineers. I need dreamers, believers and visionaries.”He further cautioned that being a part of a startup can break you mentally, physically, and financially.

“But if you have got the mindset, the heart to bet everything on a dream, you are the one I want,” he said.

Taneja said that the rewards are massive if he and his team win together. However, if they lose, it won’t really be a loss.

“We will learn, we will pivot and we will try again,” the startup founder added.

“Now, we’re opening up our ₹50L pre-seed round,” he shared on a recent LinkedIn post.

He concluded the Instagram post by inviting applicants to join his startup.

“If you’re someone thinking of leaving your job to join a startup, comment 'startup' and I will DM the link to join us,” Taneja concluded.

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A post shared by Dev Taneja - AI, Marketing & Startups (@unicornin2026)

Who is Dev Taneja?

According to his LinkedIn profile, Dev Taneja is the founder and CEO of a Stelath AI startup and the world’s first “Indian Anime” merch brand, Anime Devta. Earlier, he was a fashion influencer and a podcast host.

Netizens react

His statements received mixed responses. Some viewers criticised him for referencing IIT in his post, accusing him of using the prestigious name to attract attention.

Others pointed out that his decision could be financially motivated, suggesting that his startup may not have had the resources to afford IIT graduates. One person even questioned if he harboured a bias against alumni from such institutions.

Many professionals resonated with Taneja, saying that while IITians often bring exceptional talent, not all may be suited for the unpredictable and fast-paced world of startups. 

Responding to the criticism, Taneja clarified that he had no personal issues with IIT graduates. He mentioned that he had recently hired someone from IIT Chennai.

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