#Review: The Start-up Spirit by Sridhar and Shreeram

I picked up The Startup Spirit expecting another run-of-the-mill entrepreneurial book—one of those that starts strong, throws around some buzzwords, and fizzles out by chapter three. But to my surprise, this one had more grounding than glitter.

What I appreciated most was the real-world tone. The authors, Sridhar Seshadri and Shreeram Iyer, don’t sound like they’re talking at you—they’re talking to you. Their experiences don’t feel like LinkedIn humblebrags either. There’s sincerity in the way they share lessons from failure, moments of doubt, and their process of building with resilience.

That said, I felt the book sometimes skimmed the surface. The personal anecdotes are great, but I was left wishing for a bit more depth. Some of the advice leans into familiar territory — things like “take risks” and “fail fast” — without always offering a fresh perspective. A stronger narrative thread could’ve tied the chapters together more seamlessly.

A worthwhile read if you’re new to entrepreneurship or want honest, lived insights over corporate jargon. It’s not a playbook, but it makes for a thoughtful companion on the startup journey.

Find the book here.