Indian-origin AI startup founders face racist trolling after raising $61 million in funding
IIT Kharagpur graduates Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, founders of US-based AI startup Giga, faced racist trolling after announcing $61 million in funding. Trolls mocked their appearance and accent, with one comment reading, "If you raise $61 million...maybe hire attractive people for demo." Several X users defended them, with one writing, "When people can't compete...they attack appearance."