Startup founder gets a call from competitor’s intern– what happened next will leave you in stitches!

In a world full of cold calls and sales pitches, it's safe to say most of us have had our fair share of awkward conversations. But imagine getting a call from an intern at a competitor’s company, pitching a product so similar to yours that you can’t help but laugh when you realize what's happening. Well, that's exactly what happened to Udit Goenka, the founder of Qcall(dot)ai, and the story is as funny as it is relatable.
On March 18, Goenka received a cold call from an intern working at a rival company. The intern confidently began pitching an AI-driven audio product, explaining its features and benefits in detail. It sounded strangely familiar, but it wasn’t until the intern asked if Goenka had heard of it that the situation took a funny turn.

Goenka, who is the founder of Qcall(dot)ai, decided to reveal his identity to the intern. “I’m actually the founder of Qcall,” he told him, catching the intern off guard. Realizing the mistake, the intern quickly ended the call, undoubtedly wishing he could disappear.
Instead of being frustrated by the awkwardness, Goenka decided to share the incident on X (formerly Twitter), turning what could have been an uncomfortable moment into a source of humour. His followers couldn’t get enough of the story, and within two days, his post had gathered over 2,000 views. It wasn’t long before people flooded the comments with their own takes, and many were laughing at the intern's expense.

One X user pointed out that the intern had missed a great chance to network. Goenka agreed, responding that it’s “always a good idea to focus on building strong relationships, even with your competitors.” His comment underscored the importance of seeing business as more than just competition– it’s also about creating valuable connections.
While the cold call that turned into a mix-up was awkward for the intern, it ended up being a lighthearted and important reminder about the business world. Goenka’s response highlights that while competition is inevitable, building relationships with others, even rivals, can go a long way. Sometimes, a little humour and a good networking opportunity can make all the difference.

Goenka’s takeaway? “It’s all about building relationships.” In a world where competition often takes center stage, Goenka’s story reminds us that taking the time to network and connect– even with those we compete against– is just as important as closing deals. So, the next time you get a cold call, who knows? Maybe it’s an opportunity to make a new connection, even if it’s a bit unexpected.