‘Lost Dad At 17, Built Start-up To Pay College Fees’: Bengaluru College Student Shares Powerful Story Of Perseverance

A Bengaluru student’s post on X (formerly Twitter) has captured attention for its unfiltered reflection on resilience, discipline and belief in steady progress. Detailing his journey from financial struggle to entrepreneurial success, the student’s words show how consistent effort can change one’s life, even when the odds seem impossible.

He begins his post with a stark recollection. He says, “Lost my dad at 17. Family income dropped to Rs 30k per month; in a city like Blr for 3 people.”

With responsibility thrust upon him early, he took charge of his family’s finances while preparing for college. “Studied hard and got into IIT, didn’t let emotional and financial problems be a reason for my failure,” he wrote, showing how determination became

his driving force.

Once in college, he didn’t stop at academics. He explored trading and even launched his first startup, which, though short-lived, saw “250+ gamers use our platform.” From there, he ventured into private equity, worked as an analyst at a family office and immersed himself in the world of crypto and decentralised finance (DeFi).

What makes his story remarkable is his ability to turn every experience into a lesson. He later started a marketing agency and “scaled it to Rs 5 lakh per month revenue,” all while continuing his studies. His entrepreneurial streak also enabled him to “pay off my college fees from trading before finishing college.”

Now, as he plans to graduate in May 2026, his focus has turned towards “printing my ideas of capitalism, free markets, community and society into the real world.” He ends his post with the reminder, “Life changes if you just choose to wake up daily and make some progress even though all odds are against you.”

Check his post here:

Be Me>

> Lost my dad at 17
> Family Income dropped to ₹30k per month; in a city like blr for 3 people
> Took over family’s finance while preparing for college
> Studied hard and got into IIT, didn’t let emotional and financial problems be a reason for my failure
> Started… pic.twitter.com/HpuzoH3Wvd

— WhySid (@Sidhanth_here) November 12, 2025

The post has drawn massive attention online, garnering over 241k likes and a wave of supportive comments.

One user wrote, “Well done in picking up the right path, Sid… your story resonates as I too lost my dad at 16 and began working at 17 while still in college.”

Another added, “Congratulations on taking charge, Sid. Your parents have done a great job in inculcating the right values. Keep shining!”

Many saw his journey as the start of something bigger. “Great work. It’s just the beginning… Don’t let this fire and passion down. Don’t get complacent. Success will come,” one comment read.

Others admired his mindset, calling it “an incredible journey, resilience, discipline, and vision all in one. Proof that consistency and belief can turn any setback into a foundation for greatness.”

One user summed up the spirit of the post perfectly, writing, “Life actually begins when the odds are against you. Because for vast majority it’s all autopilot. They don’t wake up ever!!”

Each comment echoed the same sentiment, that the student’s story is proof of how progress, even in adversity, can change one’s life.