In a country abuzz with entrepreneurial spirit, these successful Indian entrepreneurs have risen to prominence through their sheer determination, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment to their visions. From disrupting traditional industries to driving digital transformation, each of them has left an indelible mark on society and carved a niche for themselves in the global business landscape. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, these visionaries have proven that with passion and perseverance, dreams can become reality. As they continue to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, their stories serve as a testament to the potential of Indian startups to make a lasting impact on the world.
Top 10 Indian Entrepreneurs
Ritesh Agarwal
Ritesh Agarwal founded OYO Rooms in 2013, at the age of 19. His journey began when he traveled across India on a shoestring budget and recognized the need for standardized and affordable accommodations. OYO started as Oravel Stays and later evolved into OYO Rooms, a platform that partners with budget hotels to provide quality and standardized stays at economical prices. Ritesh’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation led OYO to expand globally, with a presence in more than 80 countries.
Shradha Sharma
Shradha Sharma is the founder and chief editor of YourStory, a media platform dedicated to sharing inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and startups. Before starting YourStory in 2008, she worked as a brand consultant with CNBC TV18 and The Times of India. Shradha’s passion for storytelling and her belief in the power of entrepreneurship led her to create a platform that showcases the journeys of entrepreneurs and their triumphs over challenges.
Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal co-founded Ola in 2010 with the aim of revolutionizing India’s transportation system. Ola began as a small startup in Mumbai and quickly expanded to become one of the leading ride-hailing services in India. Bhavish’s commitment to safety, customer satisfaction, and innovative solutions has played a crucial role in Ola’s growth. Under his leadership, Ola has diversified its offerings, including Ola Electric, which focuses on electric mobility solutions.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Vijay Shekhar Sharma is the founder and CEO of Paytm, one of India’s largest digital payment platforms. He started Paytm in 2010 with a vision to bring digital financial services to every Indian. Paytm’s success can be attributed to Vijay’s foresight in recognizing the potential of mobile payments in a country with a large unbanked population. Today, Paytm offers a wide range of financial services, including digital wallets, UPI payments, and banking services.
Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah
Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah co-founded Zomato (previously known as Foodiebay) in 2008. Zomato started as a restaurant discovery platform and later expanded to offer food delivery services. Their platform has become synonymous with finding and ordering food online, making it an essential service for millions of food enthusiasts in India and beyond. Deepinder and Pankaj’s emphasis on user experience and constant innovation have played a pivotal role in Zomato’s success.
Kunal Shah
Kunal Shah founded CRED in 2018, aiming to incentivize credit card users for responsible bill payments. Before CRED, Kunal was the co-founder of FreeCharge, a successful digital payments platform. With CRED, Kunal has focused on building a community of creditworthy individuals, offering them exclusive rewards and benefits. His unique approach to credit management has garnered immense popularity among urban Indian millennials.
Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal
Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal co-founded Flipkart in 2007, starting as an online bookstore before expanding into a diverse e-commerce platform. Their vision of making online shopping accessible and affordable to every Indian has transformed the way people shop in the country. The Bansal duo’s tenacity and innovation played a crucial role in Flipkart’s growth, eventually leading to its acquisition by Walmart.
Deep Kalra
Deep Kalra founded MakeMyTrip in 2000, when online travel services were still in their infancy. His platform has revolutionized the travel industry in India, providing a one-stop solution for booking flights, hotels, holiday packages, and more. Deep’s foresight and customer-centric approach have made MakeMyTrip the go-to platform for millions of travelers in India.
Byju Raveendran
Byju Raveendran is the founder of BYJU’S, an edtech platform that offers interactive and personalized learning experiences. He started BYJU’S in 2011 with the belief that technology could transform the way students learn. Byju’s engaging teaching methods, coupled with strategic acquisitions and partnerships, have made BYJU’S one of the most valued edtech startups globally.
Hari Menon
Hari Menon co-founded BigBasket in 2011, aiming to revolutionize the grocery shopping experience in India. BigBasket offers a wide range of groceries and daily essentials, delivering them to customers’ doorsteps. Hari’s vision to make grocery shopping convenient and hassle-free has made BigBasket a household name and a savior for many during the pandemic.
These visionary entrepreneurs continue to inspire and shape the future of the Indian startup ecosystem, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of business and entrepreneurship.
