Latest news with #AvendusWealth–HurunIndiaU30List2025
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Mumbai tops, BITS leads, Zepto shines: Inside India's Under-30 power list
India's entrepreneurial engine is running faster and younger than ever. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 has spotlighted 79 of the country's most dynamic founders and young business leaders—all aged 30 or below—who are collectively redefining India's economic future. Together, these U30 entrepreneurs have raised $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, built companies valued at $25 million or more, and created over 64,000 jobs. Mumbai leads with 15 honorees, BITS Pilani tops the academic charts, and service-led ventures dominate with 61% of the cohort. First-generation founders make up 66 of the 79 names on the list, signaling a generational shift toward self-made wealth. Zepto's 22-year-old co-founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha top the youth leaderboard, while Svatantra Microfin stands as the largest employer with over 23,000 people. The list, a part of the Avendus–Hurun Uth Series, is both a celebration of bold ambition and a blueprint for India's next-gen innovation hubs. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 spotlights 10 standout entrepreneurs aged 25 and under, proving that age is no barrier to impact. Zepto co-founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, both 22, lead the pack with their rapid grocery delivery unicorn. Joining them is Arjun Deshpande (22), who founded Generic Aadhaar to provide affordable medicines nationwide. In Tamil Nadu, AVR Shree Smaran (22) is modernizing his family's jewellery business. Three co-founders of Swish—Ujjwal Sukheja, Saran S, and Aniket Shah—are reshaping India's fashion-tech space from across Bengaluru, Tiruchirappalli, and Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Rahul Rawat (25) of Digantara is making waves in SpaceTech, and Shiva Sankeshwar (23) is revamping intercity travel with Vijayanand Travels. Mihir Menda (25) leads global real estate strategy at RMZ Boston. Mumbai, India's financial nerve centre, leads the U30 chart with 15 entrepreneurs, but this list proves innovation isn't confined to metros. Visionaries from cities like Thane, Ranchi, Salem, Hubballi, and Tiruchirappalli have carved out national success stories in sectors as diverse as healthtech, logistics, and content creation. Among them is Kaivalya Vohra, co-founder of Zepto, who at just 22 is the youngest on the list. Alongside his co-founder Aadit Palicha, Vohra has turned a quick commerce dream into a billion-dollar blitzkrieg, all before the age many are still finishing college. Then there's Arjun Deshpande from Thane, who founded Generic Aadhaar at 16. Now 22, he leads a network delivering affordable medicines across India, democratising access to healthcare. Service Economy Rising: Youth Backing Businesses That Scale Fast A majority 61% of the listed ventures are service-led—spanning software, fintech, healthtech, and flexible workspaces. Software products and services led the pack with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by consumer goods (12) and financial services (9). Many are tapping India's twin tailwinds: a massive domestic market and a global appetite for Indian engineering and design. Startups founded by U30 entrepreneurs collectively employ 64,175 people—with microfinance firm Svatantra Microfin alone contributing 23,289 jobs. Capital Raised, and Smartly Deployed This year's U30 cohort has raised a staggering $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, a clear sign that global and domestic investors are backing young Indian founders. What's more interesting is how the funds are being used. About 44% of all capital raised has been allocated toward product development and expansion, highlighting a maturity of thought in scaling businesses sustainably rather than just chasing vanity metrics. Self-Made Surge: 66 of 79 Are First-Gen Entrepreneurs The 2025 list features 66 first-generation entrepreneurs, cementing the narrative that where you come from matters less than what you build. 'India's startup ecosystem is no longer about who you know; it's about what you create,' said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher at Hurun India. 'The U30 List is a tribute to India's audacious new wave—builders who are rewriting the playbook, often before turning 30.' BITS Pilani Is the New Entrepreneurial Hotbed In the talent sweepstakes, BITS Pilani outperformed IITs. With 8 alumni featured, it beat IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi (6 each), spotlighting an evolving mix of institutes powering India's innovation engine. Notable names include Harikrishna Ramesh Valiyath and Vrushali Prasade of Pixis, and Rishabh Shekhar and Anirudh Singla of Pepper Content. Women Are Making Big Moves Too While the list remains male-dominated, rising women entrepreneurs are making their mark. Devika Gholap (28) is pioneering AI-driven diagnostics through OptraSCAN, a digital pathology company with global aspirations. Her inclusion represents a welcome push towards gender parity in India's startup space. Spotlight on Social and Economic Impact From Digantara's space tech innovation to Swish's expansion in semi-urban India, the list features businesses that are not just profit-centric but also socially relevant. Another standout is Shashvat Nakrani, co-founder of BharatPe, who has now invested in 19+ companies. Here are the key details: Kaivalya Vohra (22) from Mumbai is the youngest co-founder this year, credited with the rapid rise of quick commerce startup Zepto. Mumbai leads with 15 featured entrepreneurs, reaffirming its status as India's financial capital. The average age of the U30 entrepreneurs is 28, reflecting the youthful leadership shaping India's business future. Devika Gholap (28) is the youngest woman on the list, driving innovation in digital pathology through OptraSCAN. BITS Pilani tops the educational institutions with 8 alumni featured, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi with 6 each. Software products and services is the most represented industry with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by 12 in consumer goods and 9 in financial services. Service-led companies dominate, making up 61% of the featured entrepreneurs. Ananyashree Birla (30) brings the longest entrepreneurial track record in the list, with 13 years in business. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025 recognises 79 exceptional young leaders under 30 reshaping Indian enterprise. The list features visionary first-generation founders (valued at USD 25 mn+) and next-gen family business leaders (valued at USD 50 mn+). This U30 list is part of the broader Avendus Wealth – Hurun India Uth Series 2025, which also includes entrepreneurs under 35 and under 40. Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity has the highest LinkedIn following among U30 entrepreneurs, at 3.8 lakh. The 79 U30 entrepreneurs collectively employ 64,175 people, reflecting their large-scale operational impact. Svatantra Microfin, led by Ananyashree Birla, is the largest employer in the cohort with 23,289 employees. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have raised USD 5.2 billion in equity and USD 270 million in debt, showcasing startup ecosystem vitality. U30-led companies are strategically deploying capital, with 44% of funds going toward product development and expansion. Shashvat Nakrani, Co-founder & COO of BharatPe, has invested in 19+ companies, highlighting his growing role as a young investor. 66 out of 79 entrepreneurs are first-generation founders, signaling the rise of self-made ambition in India.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Zepto's Aadit Palicha to Generic Aadhaar's Arjun Deshpande: Hurun lists India's top under-30 entrepreneurs
The inaugural Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 List 2025 recognizes 79 outstanding Indian entrepreneurs under 30, highlighting the country's next generation of business leaders across diverse sectors. Mumbai leads with the most entrepreneurs, while Zepto's co-founders, Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, are the youngest on the list at 22. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Top 10 Youngest Entrepreneurs in the 2025 U30 List Name Age Company City Kaivalya Vohra 22 Zepto Mumbai Aadit Palicha 22 Zepto Mumbai AVR Shree Smaran 22 AVR Swarna Mahal Jewellers Salem Arjun Deshpande 22 Generic Aadhaar Thane Shiva A. Sankeshwar 23 Vijayanand Travels Hubballi Ujjwal Sukheja 24 Swish Bengaluru Saran S 24 Swish Tiruchirappalli Aniket Shah 25 Swish Ahmedabad Rahul Rawat 25 Digantara Phagwara Mihir Menda 25 RMZ Boston The Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 List 2025 has spotlighted 79 of India's most promising entrepreneurs aged 30 or below, offering a glimpse into the country's next wave of business leaders who are scaling ventures across technology, finance, retail, healthcare, and inaugural Under-30 edition, part of the larger Uth Series 2025, was unveiled on Thursday, which identifies both first-generation founders whose startups are valued at over $25 million and second-generation leaders helming family businesses worth $50 million or list underlines a shift in the nature of Indian entrepreneurship, with 66 of the 79 names being self-made leads the city-wise count with 15 entrepreneurs, reaffirming its place as India's financial capital, followed by Bengaluru and Delhi. However, the list also features names from smaller cities like Salem, Phagwara, Hubballi, and Ranchi, signalling the spread of entrepreneurial activity beyond metro average age of the entrepreneurs featured is 28. Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha , co-founders of Zepto, are the youngest at just 22. On the women's front, Devika Gholap, founder of OptraSCAN, is the youngest woman on the list at 28, recognised for innovation in digital of the ventures recognised have scaled rapidly. Together, these entrepreneurs have raised $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, and their companies collectively employ over 64,000 people, as per the Avendus-Hurun largest employer among them is Svatantra Microfin, founded by Ananyashree Birla, with 23,289 employees. Birla, 30, also brings the longest entrepreneurial experience to the list, 13 terms of sectors, software products and services lead the way with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by 12 in consumer goods and 9 in financial services. Service-led companies account for over 60% of the Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Devika Gholap, Devanshi Kejriwal, Radhika Ambani and more on Hurun India's Under 30 Women to Watch list
Six women between the ages of 28 and 30 have secured spots on the inaugural Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 List 2025, recognised for their entrepreneurial strides across a spectrum of high-impact sectors—from AI-powered healthcare and education technology to fintech and beauty. Part of the newly launched Uth Series 2025, this first-of-its-kind list identifies India's most promising young business leaders—both self-made entrepreneurs whose ventures are valued at over $25 million and second-generation founders leading legacy businesses worth at least $50 million. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Degree Public Policy Data Science Technology Product Management MBA Others PGDM Leadership Cybersecurity others Finance Design Thinking healthcare Data Analytics Management Data Science CXO Digital Marketing Project Management Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Of the 79 featured names, 66 are self-made, signalling a generational shift in Indian entrepreneurship. Leading voices: The six women entrepreneurs making waves Devika Gholap (28) – OptraSCAN, Los Gatos Gholap is the youngest woman on the list and founder of OptraSCAN, a pioneering digital pathology platform using AI to enhance cancer diagnostics and make them more accessible worldwide. Live Events Devanshi Kejriwal (28) – Skillmatics, Mumbai Kejriwal co-founded Skillmatics, a globally recognised edtech brand creating educational toys and games that encourage learning through play for children across the world. Radhika Ambani (30) – Encore Healthcare, Mumbai As a leader at Encore Healthcare, Ambani is advancing India's pharma and biotech innovation, particularly in the domain of critical care treatments. Ananyashree Birla (30) – Svatantra Microfin, Mumbai Birla, one of the most experienced entrepreneurs on the list with a 13-year journey, heads Svatantra Microfin—India's largest employer among featured companies—with over 23,000 employees. Her microfinance venture is empowering rural women with access to financial services. Vrushali Prasade (30) – Pixis, Thane A co-founder of Pixis, Prasade is building AI-led martech solutions that automate marketing decisions for global brands, contributing to a rapidly growing deep tech sector. Romita Mazumdar (30) – Foxtale, Ranchi Mazumdar is making her mark in the beauty industry through Foxtale, a women-first, science-backed skincare brand that's scaling rapidly in the D2C space. A broader shift in India's entrepreneurial landscape While Mumbai leads with the highest number of U30 entrepreneurs (15), the list also reflects the emergence of talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Ranchi, Hubballi, Phagwara, and Salem—underscoring the decentralisation of India's startup boom. The average age of entrepreneurs on the list is 28. Notably, Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha of Zepto, at just 22, are the youngest. Together, the 79 entrepreneurs featured have raised over $5.2 billion in equity and $270 million in debt, employing more than 64,000 people across sectors like software, consumer goods, and financial services. The women featured stand out not only for their individual achievements but also for being part of a wider narrative—one where young women are increasingly reshaping India's innovation landscape and building businesses that are both impactful and future-ready.
