When A Techie Met A Backpacker: Inside The 10-Year Bromance Of Razorpay & Its First Startup Customer, Zostel

“When two startups with a shared vision grow together, they amplify each other’s impact. Razorpay has been more than a payment partner—it’s been an enabler of dreams.” – Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, co-founder and CEO of Zostel.

What happens when a techie with a dream of building seamless digital payments meets a poker-playing backpacker-turned-hospitality disruptor? You get one of the most fascinating partnerships in Indian startup history: Razorpay and Zostel. Over the past decade, these two have done more than just carve out niches in payments and backpacker hospitality—they’ve revolutionised their industries while cheering each other on from the sidelines. 

It’s not every day you hear of a founder funding their payment gateway partner as an angel investor before even becoming a customer. Or of a backpacker hostel chain redefining the norm to become the world’s largest, powered by a payment system so seamless, it’s almost invisible. This is the story of two startups whose paths crossed serendipitously in Jaipur and have since scaled new heights together, one transaction and one hostel at a time. 

On the occasion of Razorpay’s 10th anniversary, we caught up with Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, co-founder and CEO of Zostel, to delve into his entrepreneurial journey, his early association with Razorpay, and how their shared ethos of solving real problems has driven them forward. 

Dharamveer’s story is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Hailing from a family of entrepreneurs in Jodhpur, he carved his path, veering away from traditional businesses to embrace technology. A techie at heart, he founded his first gaming studio during his college years, which Zynga later acquired. Yet, his wanderlust and exposure to European backpacker hostels ignited a new idea. 

“I realised India lacked an ecosystem for affordable, community-driven travel. Backpacker hostels were not just about lodging but fostering connections. That thought stayed with me,” Dharamveer recounts. 

In 2013, with winnings from online poker tournaments, Dharamveer and his co-founder launched Zostel in Jaipur. What began as a single hostel has since blossomed into the world’s largest chain of backpacker hostels, with 100+ locations across India and expansions underway in celebrated and prominent destinations. 

Zostel and Razorpay’s journeys share a serendipitous starting point in Jaipur. When Razorpay launched its developer-first payment gateway solution, Dharamveer became an angel investor and an early customer. “Payments were a nightmare in those days—failed transactions blocked money and clunky integrations. Razorpay’s passion for solving these issues stood out. As a techie, I knew this was a game-changer,” Dharamveer shares.

Zostel integrated Razorpay from the start, benefiting from its seamless operations and customer-first focus. This partnership proved invaluable during critical phases, including Zostel’s pandemic campaign, “Travel for Tomorrow,” where prepaid bookings helped sustain operations amidst lockdowns. 

“At Razorpay, our mission has always been to empower businesses with solutions that make growth effortless. Partnering with Zostel over the past decade has been a privilege—they embody the spirit of innovation and community-building. Watching their journey from a single hostel in Jaipur to a global brand has been inspiring, and we’re proud to be the silent force enabling their dreams, one seamless transaction at a time,” said Rahul Kothari, COO of Razorpay. 

For both Razorpay and Zostel, customer-centricity has been the cornerstone of innovation. Razorpay’s ability to adapt to industry trends whether through UPI integration, pay-later options, or seamless refunds has allowed Zostel to stay focused on delivering exceptional travel experiences. “Razorpay works so smoothly that it’s invisible—a hallmark of great infrastructure,” Dharamveer notes.

Meanwhile, Zostel has evolved beyond hostels into pioneering ventures like Zostel Homes and Zo House, blending technology, real estate, and community. Zo House, a members-only space for creators and innovators, exemplifies this spirit, offering luxury living fused with creativity and collaboration. 

Zostel’s ethos is deeply rooted in community-building. Dharamveer emphasises how hostels foster meaningful connections where solo travellers find safety and companionship or couples meeting for the first time at a Zostel café and later tying the knot.

“Our philosophy is simple: create inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcomed. It’s not just about travel but transforming lives,” Dharamveer explains. This commitment extends to Zostel’s inclusive employment practices and mentorship programmes, empowering staff to grow into property managers and even owners. 

As Zostel and Razorpay step into their next chapters, their partnership remains a testament to the power of collaboration. While Zostel focuses on global expansion and redefining hospitality, Razorpay continues to innovate in India’s burgeoning fintech space and continues to power payments for 80 of the 100 unicorns in India.

Reflecting on their intertwined journeys, Dharamveer sums it up perfectly: “When two startups with a shared vision grow together, they amplify each other’s impact. Razorpay has been more than a payment partner—it’s been an enabler of dreams.”