“The success of the young entrepreneur will be the key to India’s transformation in the new millennium.”
Dhirubhai Ambani
The young entrepreneurs of India are transforming different business sectors. These dynamic individuals are creating disruptive solutions, harnessing technology, and shaping industries. India’s youth are redefining success by accessing. Exploring the journeys of these young minds can provide significant insights. We can see the ambition, resilience, and the future of business in India. But first, we must take a look at how the entrepreneurial industry is taking shape in the country.
An Overview of the Startup Ecosystem in India
On the occasion of World MSME Day, Meta commissioned a report in collaboration with Alvarez & Marsal India (A&M India). The report studies the growing startups of India.
India’s startup ecosystem is entering a new growth phase. It is driven by digital innovation, AI adoption, and omnichannel strategies. Market expansion, cross-border growth, diversification, and creator-led brand building also play a role. According to the report, these strategies are no longer optional. They are foundational for scaling efficiently.
88% of startups are collaborating with influencers and content creators. They are emphasizing community-led storytelling. Startups are expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Regional content creators are vital in increasing engagement and brand loyalty. 52% are pursuing cross-border expansion, targeting markets such as the USA, UAE, and the UK. Other companies are targeting markets through diversification. About 84% of startups are diversifying product categories.
Overall, India’s startup growth is fueled by speed, relevance, and sustainable scalability. This applies both domestically and globally.
10 Young Entrepreneurs of India who are Innovating Startups
As you can see, innovation is on the rise in the startup industry. This rise has led to the emergence of many young entrepreneurs of India. They have transformed various sectors. Who are they?
1. Akhilendra Sahu
- Company Founded: ASTNT Technologies
- Age: 24
Akhilendra Sahu is a self-taught entrepreneur from Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 16, He began his entrepreneurial journey when he founded Technical Next Technologies, a web hosting company. He then expanded his ventures to include ASTNT Technologies Pvt Ltd. The company focuses on IT services.
Sahu’s other ventures include HeyIndia, StartUp199, and ASTNT Media. His diverse portfolio showcases his adaptability and vision in the digital landscape.
2. Aadit Palicha, Kaivalya Vohra
- Company Founded: Zepto
- Age:
- Aadit Palicha – 24 years old
- Kaivalya Vohra – 22 years old
Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are both Stanford dropouts. They co-founded Zepto in 2021. Zepto is a quick-commerce platform that promises grocery deliveries within 10 minutes. Their solution was speed, reliability, and convenience for time-strapped urban consumers. Within two years, Zepto became a unicorn valued at $1.4 billion, serving millions across cities.
The company now focuses on profitability while expanding into Tier 2 cities. It is looking to strengthen supply chains and expand product diversity. As a result, Palicha and Vohra are becoming one of the most popular entrepreneurs of India.
3. Shasvat Nakrani
- Company Founded: BharatPe
- Age: 26 years old
Shasvat Nakrani co-founded BharatPe at the age of 19. He realized that small merchants lacked easy access to digital payments. This problem expanded to access to workday loans. With Bharat Pe, merchants can accept payments through a simple OR code. This helped India’s smallest kirana stores, which had been left out of the digital revolution.
Today, BharatPe is one of India’s largest fintechs. It has onboarded millions of merchants. Future growth will come from deeper financial inclusion and supporting MSMEs.
4. Arjun Deshpande
- Company Founded: Generic Aadhar
- Age: 22 years old
Arjun Deshpande founded Generic Aadhaar in 2018. The company aims to make essential medicines affordable. They partnered directly with manufacturers. This brought down costs by 50–80%. It made healthcare more affordable for low and middle-income families.
Generic Aadhaar has since expanded across India. It has created a chain of pharmacies and collaborated with doctors. Its future lies in digital health integration and deeper penetration in rural areas.
5. Prachi Bhandari
- Company Founded: Aminu Wellness Pvt Ltd
- Age: 30 years old
Prachi Bhandari is a trained cosmetologist. She noticed that consumers were often exposed to chemical-heavy skincare products. She solved this by launching Aminu Wellness in 2019. It offers holistic skincare products. By combining science with sustainability, she created safe, effective products for modern lifestyles.
Aminu is now gaining traction among conscious consumers who want clean beauty. The company aims to expand its product line and improve its digital presence.
6. Esha Tiwari
- Company Founded: Kastoor Fragrances
- Age: 30 years old
Esha Tiwari identified that India’s fragrance market lacked locally inspired scents. With Kastoor Fragrances, she introduced unique, handcrafted perfumes. They celebrated individuality and Indian heritage. Kastoor has earned a loyal following among urban millennials seeking exclusivity. The brand’s future outlook lies in global expansion.
7. Abhishek Sarwate and Shweta Tare Sarwate
- Company Founded: Utopian Drinks
- Age:
- Abhishek Sarwate – 34 years old
- Shweta Tare Sarwate – 32 years old
Utopian addresses the growing demand among consumers for healthier beverages. Utopians created clean-label juices, smoothies, and zero-sugar juices. They also made zero-sugar aerated drinks and healthy snacks like makhana. The healthy beverage market in India is growing fast. And Utopian is well-positioned in that niche.
8. Anish Basu Roy and Sagar Bhalotia
- Company Founded: TagZ Foods
- Age:
- Anish Basu Roy – 43 years old
- Sagar Bhalotia – 34 years old
Roy and Bhalotia want to revolutionize India’s snacking market. In 2019, they founded TagZ Foods and introduced popped potato chips. Their healthier alternative quickly gained traction among the health-conscious. The startup has also raised funding by appearing on Shark Tank India. Looking forward, TagZ plans to expand internationally and launch more guilt-free snack options
9. Devika Gholap
- Company Founded: OptraSCAN
- Age: 28 years old
Devika Gholap is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Optra Scan. It is a digital pathology company based in Pune, India. Devika has leveraged her background in biomedical engineering and an MBA from Columbia University to innovate in the healthcare sector. Her mission is to replace traditional microscopes with AI.
Before OptraSCAN, she gained experience as a Venture Capital Investment Associate at Casdin Capital. She was recognised by Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 List, making her one of the leading young entrepreneurs of India.
10. Punjarla Nivesh
- Company Founded: Bizeagles Global Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Age: 23 years old
Punjarla Nivesh founded Bizeagles Global Solutions Pvt Ltd at the age of 22. It is a rapidly growing technology company specializing in AI, automation, and digital transformation solutions. Established in May 2024, Bizeagles has swiftly expanded its operations across over eight countries.
Under Nivesh’s leadership, Bizeagles has been recognized as one of the world’s fastest-growing AI companies in 2025. His vision continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating the power of technology and determination in driving business success
Challenges Faced By Young Entrepreneurs of India
Young entrepreneurs of India face several challenges while building their ventures. Navigating complex regulatory processes and compliance adds strain, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. The competition is intense. Established players and global startups are entering India’s booming markets.
Scaling sustainably is another difficulty. Startups often struggle with infrastructure gaps, talent retention, and customer trust.
These challenges can be overcome by adopting certain strategies. These methods inspired some of India’s most successful founders. They are:
1. Build Credibility:
You can build credibility through problem-solving. Shasvat Nakrani did this with BharatPe. It helps attract trust from customers and investors alike.
2. Collaborate:
Forming partnerships and collaborations can ease regulatory and operational hurdles. This was achieved by Anish Basu Roy and Sagar Bhalotia when they expanded TagZ Foods through retail alliances.
3. Stand Out:
Today, startups can stand out against established competitors. This is demonstrated by Arjun Deshpande’s Generic Aadhaar.
4. Innovate:
Embracing innovation, as seen in Akhilendra Sahu’s ventures, ensures long-term sustainability. With these approaches, barriers become opportunities for growth.
Conclusion:
Young entrepreneurs of India are at the forefront of a new era of innovation and opportunity. Their ability to challenge conventional ideas, embrace technology, and build sustainable businesses reflects the evolving spirit of the country. These visionaries are driving job creation and boosting economic growth. They are inspiring the next generation to pursue entrepreneurship with passion and purpose
FAQ
1. How are young entrepreneurs contributing to India’s growth?
A. They are creating jobs, boosting innovation, and building globally competitive businesses. They are innovating fields like technology, healthcare, education, and sustainability.
2. How can aspiring entrepreneurs in India get started?
A. They can begin by identifying a problem. Then they can build a unique solution and explore funding opportunities. Funding can come from angel investors or government-backed schemes.
3. What role does technology play in their success?
A. Technology helps young entrepreneurs scale businesses quickly. It provides digital platforms to reach wider markets and improves efficiency and innovation.
