ReferRush, an emerging Indian e-commerce referral platform, recently made waves with a heartfelt post by its founder Vikram Pai, expressing deep appreciation for the ₹20 lakh grant received from WTFund, the non-dilutive startup fund led by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. Going beyond the grant, Vikram revealed an innovative partnership gesture: offering WTFund’s team free individual equity in ReferRush, aiming to build a decade-spanning, deeply connected alliance.
What Did Vikram Pai Say?
In his recent post, Vikram highlighted the generosity, belief, and relentless support WTFund has provided—offering them a place to stay, facilitating warm introductions to powerful partners such as Google, RazorPay, and SuperYou, and standing by them through thick and thin. He emphasized wanting “a team with deep and extensive connections” beside them as they bootstrap growth, not just well-wishers or one-time donors.
Vikram projected high ambitions, comparing their vision and stake value to massive success stories like Social Snowball’s $35 million exit despite a modest merchant base. With the right network and growth, Vikram expects the stake offered to WTFund to be worth over $2 million each.
Check his post on Linkedin:
What is ReferRush?
ReferRush is an e-commerce referral sales platform founded and led by Vikram Pai and Rohan Verma, which helps brands leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing. The platform allows customers to share branded referral links easily via WhatsApp, SMS, email, or social media. When new customers use those links to make purchases, referring customers earn cashbacks, store credits, or gifts automatically—boosting sales and customer trust for brands in a seamless way.
The startup has shown rapid growth, generating around ₹1.5 lakh in daily revenue and achieving profitability despite early struggles.
About the WTFund Grant
WTFund, launched by Nikhil Kamath, is India’s premier non-dilutive grant fund supporting young entrepreneurs, especially those under 25. It provides funding of up to ₹20 lakh per startup along with mentorship, strategic partnerships, and access to key investor networks—with no equity taken upfront.
ReferRush was among just nine startups selected from over 2,400 applications for the grant—a highly competitive and prestigious cohort. WTFund’s objective is to back founders who aren’t just dreaming but building transformative businesses across sectors like Tech, Fintech, D2C, and AI.
Vikram Pai’s Inspiring Journey
Vikram Pai’s entrepreneurial story is one of grit and resilience. Over six years, he faced five failed startups, lost ₹2 crore in revenue, suffered partial paralysis, extreme financial hardship, and skepticism from family and friends. At one point, he was unable to pay his co-founder’s salary and was widely doubted.
Despite this, Vikram never lost faith, stating “The first five years aren’t where you win. It’s where you get good.” Today, ReferRush is profitable, growing steadily, and on a path to becoming a major player in India’s referral marketing landscape. He credits his success partly to WTFund’s funding and support.
Final Thoughts
ReferRush’s founder Vikram Pai’s post reflects a new paradigm in startup funding—one focused on collaboration, aligned interests, and shared growth rather than just capital. By offering WTFund equity and acknowledging their far-reaching help, ReferRush sets an inspiring example of startup humility, vision, and strategic networking.
Check out: Zerodha Boss Nikhil Kamath Invests Rs 137.5 Crore in Surat-based Goldi Solar
