The “Un-Founder” Succession: Why Deepinder Goyal’s Exit is a Global Masterclass

In the corporate world, founders typically leave their posts under pressure from boards or during a downward spiral. On January 21, 2026, Deepinder Goyal flipped the script.¹ He stepped down as the Group CEO of Eternal (the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit) not because the business was failing, but because it was winning too much.

Goyal’s departure, effective February 1, 2026, marks a rare moment in Indian business history: a founder “firing” himself to ensure the company’s future is led by the best person for the next phase of growth.

The Financial Juggernaut He Leaves Behind

Goyal is handing over the keys at a moment of unparalleled financial strength. The Q3 FY26 results released alongside his announcement show a company firing on all cylinders:

• Net Profit: Surged 73% YoY to ₹102 crore.

• Operating Revenue: Jumped nearly threefold to ₹16,315 crore (up from ₹5,405 crore year-on-year).

• Blinkit’s Triumph: The quick-commerce arm officially achieved operating breakeven, proving that Goyal’s controversial acquisition was a masterstroke.

• Stock Milestone: The market rewarded the transparency, with the stock briefly touching ₹305 before stabilizing.

The “Moonshot” Freedom

Goyal’s resignation is driven by a desire for “high-risk exploration”—the kind that rarely sits well with the quarterly earnings scrutiny of a public company.⁹ By transitioning to Vice Chairman, he creates space for his personal “Moonshot” projects:¹⁰

• LAT Aerospace: A startup co-founded with Surobhi Das, building Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft to eliminate the need for massive airports.¹¹

• Continue Research: A $25 million personal venture into longevity research, aiming to transform human aging through open-source science.¹²

• Health-Tech: He is also backing Temple, a wearable tech startup that spun out of his longevity research.

  “Eternal deserves to remain focused and disciplined… the expectations of a public company CEO demand singular focus. This transition gives me the space to explore ideas that do not fit Eternal’s risk profile.” — Deepinder Goyal

Succession Done Right: Albinder Dhindsa Steps Up

Succession is often a point of failure for startups, but Goyal chose a “battle-hardened” successor in Albinder Dhindsa (Blinkit CEO and Grofers founder).Goyal’s humility in the announcement was striking, stating that Dhindsa’s execution ability “far exceeds mine.”

In a further move to protect the company, Goyal announced that all his unvested ESOPs will revert to the company pool. This ensures that the next generation of leaders has a wealth-creation path without diluting existing shareholders—a move almost unheard of among billionaire founders.

Comparative Analysis: Famous Founder Successions

Knowing when to step back is a hallmark of “level 5” leadership. Here is how Goyal’s exit compares to other tech icons:

Ruchi Kumar

Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at  Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.