Imagine being rejected by a tech giant like Google, only to return years later as a leader—talk about a full-circle moment! That’s exactly what happened to Ragini Das, who was recently appointed as the Head of Google for Startups in India. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: this isn’t just a story of professional growth; it’s a testament to how setbacks can pave the way for unexpected opportunities. In 2013, Das faced rejection from Google but landed a role at Zomato instead, a move that would shape her career in ways she couldn’t have imagined.
In a candid social media post, Das, the founder of Leap.club—a women-only professional networking platform—reflected on how Google’s rejection became a blessing in disguise. She wrote, ‘Life has come full circle, and I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Google as Head of Google for Startups - India.’ Her journey from Zomato to Leap.club and now back to Google is a masterclass in resilience and adaptability.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Does success always require a detour? Or could Das have achieved the same heights if she had joined Google in 2013? It’s a question worth pondering. Her six years at Zomato were transformative—she rose through the ranks, became part of the global growth team for Zomato Gold, and gained the confidence to co-found Leap.club. ‘Zomato helped me identify my career moat, gave me lifelong friends, an incredibly steep learning curve, and the resilience to eventually co-found Leap.club,’ she shared.
Leap.club, which she describes as her ‘most defining chapter,’ empowered thousands of women and connected her with founders tackling India’s most pressing challenges. However, when Leap.club paused operations in June 2025 due to financial hurdles, Das took time to refocus. It was during this period that she stumbled upon the Google opportunity—a role that felt like destiny, aligning perfectly with her expertise in supporting founders and scaling ventures.
And this is the part most people miss: Success isn’t a straight line; it’s a series of twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities. Das’s story challenges the notion that rejection is a dead end. Instead, it’s often the starting point for something greater. As she steps into her new role, she’s poised to bring Google’s global startup ecosystem to India, bridging her past experiences with her future ambitions.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Do you believe rejection is a necessary stepping stone to success, or is it merely a detour? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
