Indian Startup Founder Salaries Rose in FY26, Total Compensation Varies
Sixteen founders across 10 new-age tech companies earned a combined ₹43.4 Cr in fixed remuneration in FY26, an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Total compensation, including bonuses and stock, showed significant variation.
Founders of Indian startups saw an increase in their fixed salaries for fiscal year 2026. According to data compiled by Inc42, 16 founders from 10 new-age technology companies received a total of ₹43.4 crore in fixed remuneration, marking an 8.2% rise from ₹40.2 crore in FY25.
The average fixed remuneration per founder increased to ₹2.7 crore from ₹2.5 crore. Out of these, 12 founders received pay increases, three experienced reductions, and one reported unchanged remuneration. Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Honasa Consumer, recorded the highest percentage increase in fixed pay, rising 60%.
Peyush Bansal, co-founder of Lenskart, drew the highest fixed remuneration among the tracked founders at ₹5.7 crore, despite a 1.7% decline. However, his total compensation, including bonuses and performance incentives, was significantly higher. Bansal received ₹12 crore in bonuses and performance incentives, more than double his fixed salary.
Share-based compensation was also significant, with Swiggy co-founder Sriharsha Majety's ESOP gains standing at ₹549.3 crore. Inc42 has been tracking founder remuneration since FY23, detailing the ecosystem's shift from a funding boom to a funding winter and now towards profitability and IPOs.