India is experiencing a wave of entrepreneurship unlike any other, led by its youth. This new generation of Indian young entrepreneurs is not merely inheriting established businesses; they’re starting them from the ground up, fueled by innovation, digital-first strategies, and an irrepressible desire to solve real-world problems. With over 65% of the country’s population under the age of 35, India is blessed with a demographic dividend that is being felt in the form of a vibrant startup ecosystem.
India’s startup ecosystem is the third biggest in the world, with over 157,000 startup companies in India recognized as of December 2024 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Apart from that, the ecosystem has generated more than 1.6 million jobs, demonstrating its significant contribution to the economy. The total amount of fundraising accomplished by Indian startups during 2024 totaled a staggering $14.44 billion, showing a strong rebound and faith of investors in new-gen businesses.
From technology and e-commerce to social enterprises, they are proving that age is just a number when it comes to making a difference and driving economic growth. In this article, we will learn about the top 10 young entrepreneurs in India and some business ideas, so that you can become one too. So, let’s begin!
Also Read: Famous Personalities of India
Who is a Young Entrepreneur in India?
A young Indian entrepreneur is typically someone who has founded or co-founded a business venture before he turns 30 or 35. They are recognized for having a high risk appetite, an in-depth understanding of technology, and an ability to use online platforms so that they can extend their ideas at lightning speed. Their common traits have a tendency to be:
- Age: Typically below 35, with the majority of them starting their own businesses either in adolescence or early twenties.
- Innovation: They target creating new markets or disrupting current markets with fresh business models.
- Digital Savvy: A strong affinity for technology and an inclination for creating tech-enabled or tech-first businesses.
- Risk-Taking: A willingness to forego mainstream jobs or education paths to pursue their passion.
- Social Impact: Most startups are not only business-driven but also aim to solve deep social or environmental problems.
Quick Table of Young Entrepreneurs
| Name | Age | Company Name |
| Ritesh Agarwal | 31 | OYO |
| Bhavish Aggarwal | 39 | Ola, Ola Electric |
| Aadit Palicha | 22 | Zepto |
| Sreelakshmi Suresh | 27 | eDesign |
| Farrhad Acidwalla | 31 | Rockstah Media |
| Trishneet Arora | 31 | TAC Security |
| Suhani Jalota | 24 | Myna Mahila Foundation |
| Akhilendra Sahu | 24 | ASTNT Technologies Pvt Ltd |
| Tilak Mehta | 16 | Papers N Parcels |
| Nikhil Kamath | 38 | Zerodha |
Top 10 Young Entrepreneurs in India (Detailed Profiles 2025)
1. Ritesh Agarwal
Ritesh Agarwal was born in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha. He began with a humble frustration: that there were no low-cost, standardized hotels for budget travelers. He founded OYO Rooms at the age of 19 in 2013, following a failed attempt at his earlier venture, Oravel Stays. His own travel experiences were what inspired him, wherein he did not receive uniform quality in the cheap stays. Other than this, OYO’s disruptive model of homogenizing the guest experience through technology and quality audits assisted him in constructing India’s largest hotel chain. Also, his debut as a guest judge on “Shark Tank India” motivated the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Industry & Company Name: Hospitality & OYO Rooms
Year Founded & Location: 2013, Gurugram
Achievements & Milestones:
- Become the first Indian to win the Thiel Fellowship.
- Featured in Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia.”
- Guided OYO to the chain of more than 80 countries’ operations worth multi-billion dollars.
Business Description: OYO is a hospitality company that franchises and leases hotel rooms, providing standardized, economy rooms under the brand. It employs a technology platform to run the business, bookings, and customer experience.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: OYO has secured over $3 billion from prominent investors like SoftBank, Sequoia Capital, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Revenue may vary, but the company enjoys a huge financial presence in the global hospitality industry.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/riteshagar/?hl=en
Also Read: Zero Investment Business Ideas
2. Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal, a former student of IIT Bombay, started Ola Cabs along with his friend in 2010. It was an exasperating experience where he was dropped by a taxi driver midway through a ride and informed that he would have to give additional money. He left Microsoft to work on his idea of developing a secure and reliable cab service. Aside from that, Ola’s initial target was solving the Indian transportation sector’s specific issue of cash payments and auto-rickshaw acceptance. Additionally, Aggarwal’s company has expanded beyond ride-hailing since then to include food ordering, financial services, and electric vehicles, with Ola Electric becoming a major EV player today. Also, the success of the Ola IPO has further supported the scalability of the model.
Industry & Company Name: Ride-hailing, Mobility & Ola, Ola Electric
Year Founded & Location: 2010, Bengaluru
Achievements & Milestones:
- Ola’s dominance of the India ride-hailing space turned global giants on their head.
- Featured in Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.”
- Ola Electric released a big EV push in India.
Business Description: Ola is a multi-national mobility and ride-sharing service firm. Its subsidiary, Ola Electric, manufactures electric two-wheelers and is building a robust EV charging infrastructure.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: Ola has taken over $5 billion of funding from investors like SoftBank and Tiger Global. Ola Electric has taken significant capital to scale its business.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/bhavishaggarwal/hl=en
3. Aadit Palicha
Stanford dropout at a tender age of 19, Aadit Palicha co-founded Zepto with his childhood friend, Kaivalya Vohra. Developing the idea of a 10-minute grocery delivery company was something they themselves saw during the pandemic lockdown. As concentrated on speed and efficiency as Zepto was, it employed a “dark store” model and a sophisticated logistics network. Apart from this, their coercive application of data analytics to decide on the optimum routes of delivery has also been a leading reason behind their achievement. Secondly, the fact that Zepto’s ambition towards a young city-based consumer and its fast rise to a unicorn status render it a light at the end of the tunnel for young Indian startups.
Industry & Company Name: Quick Commerce & Zepto
Year Founded & Location: 2021, Mumbai
Achievements & Milestones:
- Achieved unicorn status in record time among the majority of Indian startups.
- Included in Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia.”
- Has been able to scale its business across leading Indian cities.
Business Description: Zepto is a rapid commerce company operating on a “10-minute delivery” business model of groceries and household items. It utilizes a micro-warehouse (dark store) network along with a technology-enabled delivery infrastructure to enable it to achieve its fast delivery times.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: Zepto has raised over $360 million in funding from investors like Nexus Venture Partners and Glade Brook Capital Partners, which places the company’s valuation at over $1.4 billion.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/a.palicha/?hl=en
4. Sreelakshmi Suresh
Named one of the world’s youngest CEOs, Sreelakshmi Suresh initiated her business company, eDesign, at the unbelievable age of 10. From Kerala, she developed a passion for web designing and programming from a young age. Her first website was made when she was 6 years old, and she registered her company at the age of 11. Further, her professional work has been globally recognized and has helped many small businesses in gaining an online presence. Further, she has spoken at numerous conferences and given speeches to inspire budding entrepreneurs. Also, her existence is a confirmation of the assumption that success does not rely on age.
Company Name & Industry: Web Solutions & eDesign
Year Founded & Location: 2006, Kozhikode, Kerala
Achievements & Milestones:
- Was named the world’s youngest CEO by a number of publications.
- Was rewarded numerous times for entrepreneurial abilities and technological expertise.
Business Description: eDesign is a company that deals in web design and development and offers services such as website development, logo design, and SEO.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: The company is self-funded mainly and has been expanding through client revenues.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/sree.lakshmi.suresh/?hl=en
5. Farrhad Acidwalla
Farrhad Acidwalla, born in Mumbai, started his entrepreneurial life at the age of 13. He built a small network on the net with a website that he designed. After selling it at a profit, he used the knowledge gained to start Rockstah Media, which specializes in web design, marketing, and branding. Further, Acidwalla has been featured in some newspapers and media outlets like CNN and Forbes for his entrepreneurial capabilities. He has also delivered speeches at TEDx events as a guest speaker and was the youngest guest lecturer at the IIT Kharagpur annual entrepreneurship conclave. His business has also catered to a variety of clients, including foreign firms.
Company Name & Industry: Rockstah Media & Digital Marketing
Year Founded & Location: 2009, Mumbai
Achievements & Milestones:
- Was one of the youngest businesspeople in the world to be successful in the digital world.
- Was featured by a range of international and local media.
Business Description: Rockstah Media is an eclectic marketing and branding firm providing services ranging from website creation to internet marketing strategies for an assortment of clients.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: Self-funded and revenue-driven.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/farrhad/
6. Trishneet Arora
Ludhiana, Punjab dropout Trishneet Arora made a career out of his interest in hacking. He started TAC Security, a security firm offering vulnerability scanning and penetration testing services to governments and organizations. His rags-to-riches tale itself is evidence of how a human can become highly successful by defying the traditional route. Additionally, his company is global with offices in the US and the UK. He is also a guest speaker at several security conferences.
Industry & Company Name: Cybersecurity & TAC Security
Year Founded & Location: 2013, Mohali
Achievements & Milestones:
- Covered by Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia.”
- Authored a book series on cybersecurity.
- TAC Security has a strong client base, which includes Fortune 500 companies.
Business Description: TAC Security helps companies secure their virtual assets by providing services that identify and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: The company has been funded by investors like Vijay Kedia and has a strong revenue stream.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/trishneetarora/?hl=en
7. Suhani Jalota
Suhani Jalota, Mumbai-based social entrepreneur, started the Myna Mahila Foundation at age 21 while pursuing education at Duke University. The foundation empowers and informs the women in slums in cities by providing jobs and low-cost sanitary hygiene products. Her achievement has made international media news and is the new generation of social entrepreneurship among young entrepreneurs in India. Besides this, the foundation not only improved sanitation and health but also provided a sustainable livelihood to women.
Industry & Company Name: Social Enterprise & Myna Mahila Foundation
Year Founded & Location: 2015, Mumbai
Achievements & Milestones:
- Her work was put into the limelight by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
- The foundation was put into the limelight by different international organizations.
Business Description: Myna Mahila Foundation manufactures and distributes affordable sanitary pads, employing women from slums in urban areas, and enhancing poor communities’ menstrual hygiene.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: The foundation largely depends on grants, donations, and impact investments.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/suhani.jalota/?hl=en
8. Akhilendra Sahu
Akhilendra Sahu, a schoolboy engineering prodigy from the town of Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh, launched his first firm, Technical Sahu, at the age of 16. He later founded ASTNT Technologies, which deals in numerous digital services, from web design to web marketing. His story is an inspiration to India’s young entrepreneurs in non-metro towns. Also, his achievement with his company is proof of the strength of self-learning and utilization of the virtual world to counter geographical distance.
Industry & Company Name: Technology & ASTNT Technologies Pvt Ltd
Year Founded & Location: 2018, Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh
Achievements & Milestones:
- One of the youngest CEOs in India.
- Has been able to set up a technology firm in a Tier-3 city.
Business Description: ASTNT Technologies offers IT and digital marketing services such as web development, mobile app development, and e-commerce consulting.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: Bootstrapped and revenue-based model.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/akhilendra_sahu/
9. Tilak Mehta
13-year-old Tilak Mehta started Papers N Parcels, a logistics and courier service. He was inspired by the challenge of delivering stuff in Mumbai in no time. His innovative business model involves deploying the popular dabbawalas of Mumbai for last-mile delivery. In addition, his company has expanded manifold, and he has collaborated with goliath companies. Also, his success in linking an old system to a new business model has made him a case study in innovative entrepreneurship.
Industry & Company Name: Logistics & Papers N Parcels
Year Founded & Location: 2018, Mumbai
Achievements & Milestones:
- Included in the list of India’s youngest entrepreneurs to establish a successful logistics firm.
- Included on the “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia” list.
Business Description: Papers N Parcels offers same-day delivery service in Mumbai using the city’s unique dabbawala network for speedy and instant parcel delivery.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: The company is substantially bootstrapped and scaled on its operating revenues.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/iam_tilakmehta/?hl=en
10. Nikhil Kamath
Leaving school at 16 to pursue his love for stock trading, Nikhil Kamath, along with his brother, Nithin Kamath, co-founded Zerodha in 2010. Zerodha disrupted the traditional brokerage space through its cheap, tech-focused approach. Now, it is one of the most prominent and most utilized stockbrokers in India, with millions of clients. Nikhil’s rags-to-riches story as an emerging trader to become a financial giant is a massive motivation for young and upcoming entrepreneurs in India. He is also famous for living simply and loving the “less is more” way of life, which he talks about on social media too.
Industry & Company Name: Fintech & Zerodha
Year Founded & Location: 2010, Bengaluru
Achievements & Milestones:
- Zerodha is India’s largest retail brokerage firm in terms of active clients.
- Named to the Forbes “30 Under 30” list.
Business Description: Zerodha is a low-cost stock broking and mutual fund services firm that democratizes investment.
Funding / Investors / Revenue Details: Zerodha is a rare case of a highly successful bootstrapped firm that has raised zero external capital. It generates humongous revenue from its vast customer base.
Social Media Handle: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/?hl=en
Best Business Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs in India
The market in India is full of chances for new work, best for young people in India who understand the digital landscape. Here are 8 promising business ideas:
1. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Products
India’s sustainable products market is booming. One fact is that 65% of consumers would choose sustainable brands, but fewer actually shop for them, showing an immense untapped market. Furthermore, some studies show that consumers are willing to pay more than 6% premium for sustainable products. Moreover, the market growth is facilitated by increasingly strict government regulations and higher environmental consciousness.
- Investment: ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakhs
- Earning Potential: High, with margins of 25-40% depending on the product and effectiveness of the supply chain.
2. Hyperlocal Services & Delivery
India’s local drop-off market is growing fast, with a yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 51.84% seen from FY2021 to FY2025. This is driven by increasing demand for convenience and growing networks of “dark stores” that facilitate instant delivery. Also, achieving a competitive edge by serving a specific locality is achievable for a startup. Also, market growth is being driven by digital adoption, and the repeat rate is high.
- Investment: ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakhs
- Earning Potential: Steady, with profit margins of 5-15% depending on delivery volume and operational efficiency.
3. Ed-tech
The ed-tech market of India is a massive opportunity with a projected market size of $30 billion by 2030. This growth comes from many users and the need for special study sites over regular classes. In addition, embracing cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for personalized learning is revolutionizing the business. Above all, the increased internet usage in India represents a colossal, untapped audience to be leveraged using digital learning solutions.
- Investment: ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakhs
- Earning Potential: Scalable with 20-30% or more profit margins from subscription-based platforms and tiered price structures.
Also Read: Top EdTech Companies in India
4. D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Brands
The D2C industry of India is among the rapidly growing businesses, expecting to grow to $87.5 billion in 2025 and expand exponentially after that. The model allows entrepreneurs to have direct access to consumers, eliminating the need for middlemen and gaining maximum leverage over price margins. Moreover, with influencer marketing and social media gaining momentum, D2C brands can establish strong, loyal communities. Also, the majority of these brands are successfully leveraging digital platforms to scale their business without a physical presence.
- Investment: ₹2 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs
- Earning Potential: High, with profit margins of 30-50% since there are no physical retail commissions involved.
5. Content Creation and Influencer Marketing Agency
India’s creator economy is a flourishing industry, with a value of $1.46 billion in 2025 and on a fantastic growth trajectory. This is supported by a vast user base on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Whereas the top 1-2% of the creators generate around 80% of total revenue, a well-planned agency is capable of tapping the vast universe of mid-tier as well as nano-influencers. In addition, brands increasingly want to co-create with creators to reach specialist audiences.
- Investment: ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh
- Earning Potential: High, 15-25% profit margins on campaign fees.
6. Health and Wellness Tech
India’s health tech field is on the rise, with a yearly growth rate of 29.5% set from 2024 to 2032. This boost comes from more people knowing about health and using remote health tech and mobile health tech. Also, with more long-term health issues in India, there’s a need for home-based health checks and custom health fixes. Plus, improvements in AI are making these options both cheaper and better.
- Investment: ₹2 lakhs – ₹5 lakhs
- Earning Potential: Consistent, with 20-40% margins from premium plans and subscription.
7. Pet Care Services
The pet care industry in India is growing and worth $3.5 billion in 2024 and is bound to grow further. Growth is fueled by growing numbers of pets kept and “pet humanization” where the owners are not shy in paying extra for premium goods and services. Besides that, increasing demand for premium services such as mobile grooming vans and subscription pet foods has opened doors to new entrants in the market.
- Investment: ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakhs
- Earning Potential: Good with 30-50% profits, particularly with grooming and specialty services.
8. Home and Interior Design Services
India’s home and home furnishings business is a high-margin, high-growth industry, and the luxury segment alone is a $1.6 billion industry in 2024. Growth is supported by growing disposable incomes and aspirational demand for high-end, personalized living spaces. Further, combining foreign styles with timeless Indian craftsmanship is a winning concept. Further, cities growing mean so does demand for professional design services, so there is a consistent stream of prospects.
- Investment: Below ₹50,000
- Earning Potential: High, with 10-20% profit margins on project fees.
Loan & Funding Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs
Finance is the largest issue of most Indian young entrepreneurs. Luckily, there are plenty of sources of finance, ranging from government-sponsored programs to private financiers.
Government Schemes and Loans
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): A scheme that provides unsecured loans in the form of assets to small and new businesses. It is three-tiered: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (₹50,000 to ₹5 lakhs), and Tarun (₹5 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs).
- Eligibility: Anyone who is an Indian citizen engaged in a business activity can apply.
- Interest Rates: The rate of interest will be between 8% to 12%, depending on the bank, as well as the loan size.
- Process of Application: You are free to apply at any public sector bank, private bank, or microfinance institution. You would need a business plan and KYC documents.
- Bank finance: Most public and private sector banks offer specialized loan products to small and medium enterprises (SME) and startup businesses. These require a complete business plan, credit history, and collateral, though some schemes require lower requirements.
- Startup Incubators and Accelerators: These programs provide not only seed funding but also mentorship, networking, and space sharing. They make investments of a minimal amount of money (e.g., ₹10 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs) in exchange for a small percentage equity in the company.
- Angel Investors & Venture Capitalists (VCs): Angel investors are affluent individuals who invest their own money in early-stage companies. VCs are firms that invest from a fund. They are appropriate for scalable, high-growth startups.
- Application Process: It is a competitive process that requires a well-written pitch deck, a good business model, and a scalable product.
Awards & Recognition for Young Entrepreneurs
Being awarded at the highest level serves to legitimize the work of young businesspeople in India and enhance their brand reputation.
- Forbes “30 Under 30 India”: This highly exclusive list recognizes 30 individuals under the age of 30 who have achieved success across various fields, including business, technology, and the arts.
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year: This award recognizes entrepreneurs who develop successful and growing businesses. It has startup as well as rising entrepreneur categories.
- National Youth Awards: Founded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, they recognize youth who have gained success in various fields, including business entrepreneurship.
- The Hurun India Rich List: The list often includes the youngest self-made billionaires and wealth creators, crediting their achievements.
- ET Now Leaders of Tomorrow Awards: This program honors the future business leaders and innovative small and medium enterprises.
Challenges Confronted by Indian Young Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneurial journey is not an easy one, and young Indian entrepreneurs have some unique challenges.
- Shortage of Funding: Young entrepreneurs face a problem in raising startup capital since they don’t have a proven track record or good credit history.
- Regulatory and Legal Challenges: The intricate and frequently bureaucratic legal system is sometimes challenging for the first-time entrepreneur to navigate.
- Building a Team: Recruiting and retaining the best talent is a huge challenge, particularly in comparison with seasoned companies that pay more.
- Lack of Mentorship: Securing experienced mentors who can offer advice and assistance is essential but a challenge, particularly for individuals from small towns.
- Work-Life Balance: The high pressure of operating a startup can cause burnout and a compromised work-life balance, which impacts mental and physical well-being.
Tips for Young Entrepreneurs to Succeed
To navigate the challenges and build a thriving business, young entrepreneurs in India should keep these tips in mind.
- Validate Your Idea: Make sure your business plan fixes a true need for real people before you spend time and money on it.
- Build a Solid Network: Nurture connections with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. Your network could unlock capital, mentorship, and collaborations.
- Prioritize Execution: A good idea is only worth the execution behind it. Prepare to grind, pivot when necessary, and be relentless in bringing your vision to life.
- Embrace Failure: Don’t be afraid of failure. Treat it as a learning experience and leverage it to improve your business and decision-making.
- Leverage Technology: Use the marketing, operations, and customer service tools of the digital age to scale up your business well and broaden its outreach.
Conclusion
There is a new generation of fearless, technology-savvy, and mission-driven entrepreneurs revolutionizing the entrepreneurship scenario in India. Indian young entrepreneurs are not only building businesses; they are creating jobs, driving economic growth, and motivating millions with their success stories of overcoming adversity and innovation.
From the rise of unicorns to the flourishing of social enterprises, their impact cannot be ignored. With firm help from the state, more investors coming in, and many young people ready to dive in and take chances, India’s path for new business looks very bright.
FAQs
1. What are the defining characteristics of successful young Indian entrepreneurs?
They are risk-takers with excellent knowledge of technology, high purpose orientation, and an ability to build and manage high-energy teams.
2. Where can a young entrepreneur get funds in India?
Government schemes such as Mudra Yojana, bank startup loans, seed funding from incubators and accelerators, and investment by angel investors or venture capital companies.
3. Is it necessary to have a college degree to be a successful entrepreneur?
No, most of the most successful young businessmen in India, such as Ritesh Agarwal and Nikhil Kamath, are dropouts from college who demonstrated that passion and execution are greater than a formal education.
4. What are the most significant challenges faced by young entrepreneurs?
The biggest challenges are limited access to capital, the complexity of regulations, extreme competition, and pressure to remain professional yet have a personal life.
5. How is technology contributing to the success of a young entrepreneur in India?
Technology is a significant enabler, allowing young entrepreneurs in India to build scalable business models, reach a global audience, and function efficiently with minimal capital upfront.
