A founder’s salary in an Indian startup depends on funding, revenue, and stage of growth. In bootstrapped startups, founders often take minimal or no salary, while early-stage VC-funded startups pay ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per month.

As the company grows, salaries can exceed ₹5–₹10 lakh monthly. Many founders prioritize reinvesting profits over high salaries, balancing personal needs with business sustainability and investor expectations.