The top 10 youngest self-made entrepreneurs in India for 2024. Here’s a brief analysis:
1. Age and Innovation: The list highlights the trend of young individuals making significant impacts in the entrepreneurial landscape. The founder of Zepto, Kaivalya Vohra, is the youngest at just 21 years, showing how age is not a barrier to success in entrepreneurship.
2. Notable Companies: The companies listed are predominantly in the tech and finance sectors, indicating a strong focus on startups that leverage technology for consumer convenience, such as Zepto (quick grocery delivery), BharatPe (fintech solutions), and Oyo (hospitality).
3. Founding Years: Most of these companies were founded in the last decade, reflecting a recent boom in startup culture in India. This suggests an encouraging environment for new business ventures and innovation.
4. Diversity in Ownership: The list showcases a diversity of companies, from fintech to e-commerce, suggesting that young entrepreneurs are exploring various sectors and needs in the market.
5. Geographical Spread: The headquarters of these companies are mainly in major urban areas like Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurugram, and Bengaluru, which are known hubs for startups, indicating the concentration of resources and talent in these cities.
Here are the names of the top 10 youngest self-made entrepreneurs in India for 2024, according to the Hurun report:
1. Kaivalya Vohra – Zepto (Age: 21, Founded: 2021, Headquarters: Mumbai)
Kaivalya Vohra is a notable entrepreneur known for co-founding Zepto, a quick-commerce grocery delivery service based in Mumbai, India. Founded in 2021, Zepto aims to deliver groceries to customers in under ten minutes, leveraging technology and efficient logistics. At just 21 years old, Vohra has made significant strides in the startup ecosystem, focusing on the demands of urban consumers seeking convenience and speed in their shopping experiences.
The company has rapidly grown and garnered attention for its innovative approach, contributing to the rising trend of quick-delivery services across the country.
2. Aadit Palicha – Zepto (Age: 22, Founded: 2021, Headquarters: Mumbai)
Aadit Palicha is a co-founder of Zepto, a pioneering quick-commerce grocery delivery service headquartered in Mumbai, India. Launched in 2021, Zepto stands out for its ambitious goal of delivering groceries to customers in as little as ten minutes, while ensuring a wide selection of products. At 22 years old, Palicha has already made significant contributions to the startup landscape, working to cater to the quickly evolving demands of urban consumers who prioritize convenience.
Zepto’s success is a product of its innovative use of technology and logistics, drawing attention from investors and consumers alike. The startup exemplifies a shift towards fast delivery services in the Indian market.
3. Shashvat Nakrani – BharatPe (Age: 26, Founded: 2018, Headquarters: New Delhi)
Shashvat Nakrani is the co-founder of BharatPe, a fintech company based in New Delhi, India. Established in 2018, BharatPe revolutionized the payments landscape for small merchants and businesses by providing a seamless platform for digital payments and lending solutions. At 26 years old, Nakrani has played a pivotal role in making BharatPe one of the leading players in the country’s digital payment ecosystem.
BharatPe enables merchants to accept payments via QR codes and offers various financial services, including short-term loans, thereby addressing a crucial gap in access to capital for small businesses. The company’s growth has been fueled by the increasing adoption of digital payments in India, especially post-pandemic.
4. Dilsher Malhi – Zupee (Age: 28, Founded: 2018, Headquarters: New Delhi)
Dilsher Malhi is a prominent entrepreneur and co-founder of Zupee, an online gaming platform headquartered in New Delhi, India. Founded in 2018, Zupee specializes in skill-based games, offering users an opportunity to compete and win real cash. At 28 years old, Malhi has made notable contributions to the gaming industry in India, tapping into the growing demand for digital entertainment and competitive gaming.
Zupee stands out due to its focus on Indian culture and user preferences, providing games that resonate with local audiences. The platform has gained traction as more users engage in online gaming, driven by advancements in mobile technology and increased internet accessibility.
5. Karan Mehta, Kissht (Age: 28, Founded: 2015, Headquarters: Mumbai)
Karan Mehta is a co-founder of Kissht, a Mumbai-based fintech company established in 2015. At 28 years old, Mehta plays a vital role in shaping Kissht’s mission to provide accessible credit solutions for consumers in India. Kissht offers instant credit to users through a digital platform, facilitating seamless transactions for both online and offline purchases.
The company focuses on serving customers who may lack traditional credit scores, expanding access to financing for a broader demographic. Kissht’s innovative approach combines technology and consumer insights to offer tailored financial products, aligning with India’s growing demand for flexible credit options.
6. Siddhant Saurabh – Zupee (Age: 29, Founded: 2018, Headquarters: New Delhi)
Siddhant Saurabh is a co-founder of Zupee, an online gaming platform that was established in 2018 and is headquartered in New Delhi, India. At 29 years old, Saurabh has been instrumental in developing Zupee’s focus on skill-based gaming, allowing users to compete and earn real money in a variety of games. The platform caters to the growing demand for interactive and competitive entertainment, particularly in the Indian market.
Under Saurabh’s leadership, Zupee has gained popularity by creating engaging gaming experiences while also emphasizing responsible gaming and user safety. The combination of engaging gameplay and financial incentives has helped Zupee carve out a significant niche in the fast-evolving online gaming sector.
7. Ritesh Agarwal – Oyo (Age: 30, Founded: 2012, Headquarters: Gurugram)
Ritesh Agarwal is the founder and CEO of Oyo Rooms, a hospitality company that was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Gurugram, India. At 30 years old, Agarwal has made significant strides in the hotel and lodging industry, transforming Oyo into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Oyo’s business model focuses on standardizing and aggregating budget hotels to provide affordable and reliable accommodation options for travelers.
Under Agarwal’s leadership, Oyo expanded rapidly across India and internationally, utilizing technology to optimize operations and improve customer experiences. Oyo’s growth has positioned it as a key player in the global hospitality sector, resonating with the growing demand for budget travel solutions.
8. Rajan Bajaj – Slice (Age: 31, Founded: 2016, Headquarters: Guwahati)
Rajan Bajaj is the co-founder and CEO of Slice, a fintech company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Guwahati, India. At 31 years old, Bajaj has significantly impacted the payment and consumer finance landscape by developing innovative financial products tailored for young consumers. Slice specializes in offering a unique credit card experience with a focus on ease of use, rewards, and transparency, aiming to cater to the lifestyle needs of millennials and Gen Z.
Under Bajaj’s leadership, Slice has gained popularity for its approach to simplifying financial transactions and providing access to credit in a user-friendly manner. The platform allows users to manage their finances more effectively, thus fostering financial literacy among its customer base.
9. Ankush Sachdeva – Sharechat (Age: 31, Founded: 2015, Headquarters: Bengaluru)
Ankush Sachdeva is the co-founder and CEO of ShareChat, a social media platform founded in 2015 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India. At 31 years old, Sachdeva has played a crucial role in building ShareChat into a leading platform for regional language content, allowing users to connect, share, and engage across various Indian languages. The platform focuses on catering to users from diverse linguistic backgrounds, addressing a significant gap in the Indian social media landscape.
ShareChat provides various features, including text, video, and image sharing, allowing users to create and consume content that resonates with their cultural backgrounds. Its unique positioning has attracted a vast user base, making it an influential player in India’s digital ecosystem.
10. Neetish Sarda – Smartworks (Age: 31, Founded: 2016, Headquarters: Gurugram)
Neetish Sarda is the co-founder and CEO of Smartworks, a co-working space provider founded in 2016 and headquartered in Gurugram, India. At 31 years old, Sarda has significantly influenced the flexible workspace sector, catering to startups, SMEs, and enterprises looking for productive work environments. Smartworks focuses on providing well-designed office spaces with a range of amenities and services that enhance workplace productivity and collaboration.
Under Sarda’s leadership, Smart works has expanded rapidly, establishing a strong presence in major cities across India. The company’s emphasis on customer-centric solutions and innovative designs has made it a preferred choice for businesses in need of flexible office space.
This list highlights the impressive achievements of young entrepreneurs in India.This data signifies the vibrant startup ecosystem in India, particularly among the youth, which is essential for economic growth and employment generation in the coming years.
