Meet the CEO of Wifi Dabba or Dabba Network

Carrying a noble mission to provide wider internet access, Dabba Network has received surprisingly little attention, despite its epic vision.

However, over time, the Dabba Network, previously called Wifi Dabba, began to be noticed, especially by national authorities in India.

Who exactly is behind the Dabba Network? Who is the CEO of Dabba Network, and who are the other people behind it? 

CEO of Wifi Dabba or Dabba Network

Who is the CEO of Dabba Network? He is Karam Lakshman.

Karam Lakshman is the CEO and co-founder of Dabba Network, formerly known as WiFi Dabba, a bold and innovative startup aiming to revolutionize internet access in India. 

With a background in technology, entrepreneurship, and grassroots connectivity, Karam is driven by a deep belief that access to the internet is not a luxury but a basic human right.

Background and Early Career of Karam Lakshman

Karam Lakshman’s entrepreneurial journey began long before Dabba Network. 

He is an alumnus of Y Combinator, one of the world’s most prestigious startup accelerators, known for backing transformative companies like Airbnb and Dropbox. 

Before launching WiFi Dabba in 2017, Karam built and successfully exited a logistics software startup.

He also worked with the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad, one of India’s premier business schools. 

Read Also: What is Dabba Network or Wifi Dabba - Honest Review

At CIIE, he helped fund and mentor early-stage technology companies, gaining critical insight into the startup ecosystem, user needs, and scalable impact.

Motivation Behing Dabba Network

Karam’s motivation to build Dabba Network stemmed from a simple, yet powerful observation: internet access in India was unequal, expensive, and inaccessible to many in lower-income urban communities. 

While companies like Jio and Airtel were expanding 4G access, the reality on the ground showed gaps, especially in congested neighborhoods, tea stalls, street corners, and urban slums.

Karam envisioned a radically different solution, a decentralized, low-cost internet model that didn’t depend on expensive towers or large corporate control. 

Instead, he imagined a street-level, token-based WiFi system, where local shopkeepers could become mini-ISPs, selling internet access to their neighbors for as little as ₹2.

Read Also: 11 Most Popular Crypto Coins in India

This mission was not just a business opportunity; it was a social movement to democratize the internet and provide infrastructure for the underserved, aligning with broader global goals of digital inclusion and decentralized access.

Partnership with Shubhendu Sharma

Karam co-founded Dabba Network with Shubhendu Sharma, a close collaborator who shared his ideals of decentralized technology and real-world impact. 

While Karam brought deep experience in software, startups, and strategy, Shubhendu complemented him with technical and operational strengths, helping turn the idea into a working system that could scale.

Together, they created custom-built routers, designed a token-based payment system using QR codes, and rolled out hundreds of hotspots across Bengaluru, India’s startup capital. 

Their partnership is built on mutual respect, complementary skill sets, and a shared vision to decentralize connectivity, eventually extending beyond WiFi to blockchain-powered DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks).

From Wifi Dabba to Dabba Network

Under Karam’s leadership, the company evolved from being a street WiFi startup to a Web3-native infrastructure project known as Dabba Network. 

The shift reflects his belief in open systems, community ownership, and the power of blockchain to manage infrastructure more fairly and transparently. 

With this, Dabba is no longer just about internet access, it’s about reimagining infrastructure for the masses, powered by decentralized technology.

Read Also: Top 5 DePIN Crypto Projects to Watch in 2025

Final Note

Karam Lakshman is the CEO and co-founder of both Wifi Dabba (the original name) and its evolved form, Dabba Network. 

He has led the company from its grassroots beginnings, bringing ultra-low-cost internet to tea stalls in Bengaluru, to its current vision as a decentralized infrastructure network (DePIN) powered by blockchain technology.

As CEO, Karam continues to champion affordable, accessible, and community-driven connectivity solutions, transforming Wifi Dabba into Dabba Network, a pioneering force in the global decentralized internet movement.

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FAQ

1. Who is the CEO of Wifi Dabba or Dabba Network?

Karam Lakshman is the CEO and co-founder of Wifi Dabba, now rebranded as Dabba Network. He leads the company’s mission to deliver decentralized, affordable internet access across India.

2. What is Karam Lakshman's background before founding Dabba Network?

Karam is a Y Combinator alumnus and former startup founder. He also worked with IIM Ahmedabad’s CIIE, supporting early-stage tech ventures. His experience spans software, innovation funding, and grassroots connectivity.

3. Why did Karam Lakshman start Wifi Dabba?

He was motivated by the lack of affordable, reliable internet in urban low-income areas of India. His goal was to democratize access by turning shopkeepers into local WiFi providers.

4. What is the relationship between Karam Lakshman and Shubhendu Sharma?

Shubhendu Sharma is the co-founder of Dabba Network. He and Karam Lakshman launched the company together, combining their skills to build an ultra-cheap internet distribution system.

5. Is Wifi Dabba the same as Dabba Network?

Yes, Wifi Dabba evolved into Dabba Network, reflecting its transition from street-level WiFi to a Web3 decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). The rebrand aligns with their blockchain-based infrastructure ambitions.