In the evolving landscape of global entrepreneurship, Indian entrepreneurs’ success stories stand as inspiring beacons of innovation and resilience. India’s startup ecosystem is globally renowned, securing its position as the 3rd largest worldwide.
With a growing startup ecosystem, India has nurtured over 60,000 startups, reflecting the nation’s rapid development in this domain.
Fueled by factors such as a young demographic and tech-savvy population, a growing middle class, and a conducive government environment, these Indian entrepreneurs have charted remarkable trajectories.
Additionally, over the years, there has been a surge in the presence of women entrepreneurs within the nation. According to reports, seven out of 100 entrepreneurs in India are women. While this figure might be comparatively smaller in relation to their male counterparts, a host of government initiatives and policies centered around women’s empowerment in business are primed to catalyze the entrepreneurial drive among Indian women.
Anchoring India’s prominence further, Bangalore-Karnataka claims a prestigious spot among the world’s top 30 startup cities in the 2022 Startup Genome Project ranking. Advancing by one spot from the previous year, the city has positioned itself at #22. Delhi is the standout performer, leaping by 11 places compared to its 2021 position and securing a spot among the top 30 for the first time at #26.
To ignite enthusiasm among aspiring Indian entrepreneurs and offer them a glimpse into the remarkable achievements of their compatriots, The StartupLab has prepared a list of 10 Inspirational Indian Entrepreneurs Who Have Redefined Success.
In this article, we have talked about their early life, their business ventures, and their net worth. However, keep in mind that net worth figures can vary due to various factors such as business developments, investments, and market fluctuations.
Entrepreneur with 100 Cr+ net worth
Ghazal Alagh – Mamaearth:
Ghazal Alagh, alongside her husband Varun Alagh, co-founded Mamaearth in 2016. Her story is one of passion and innovation, with her curiosity about holistic well-being laying the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey.
Born on 2nd September, Ghazal Alagh spent her formative years in Chandigarh, where she completed her schooling. Subsequently, she pursued her BCA degree from Punjab University, followed by post-graduation studies before entering the professional sphere.
Ghazal Alagh, an Indian businesswoman, has left an indelible mark as the co-founder of MamaEarth, a brand specializing in baby health products. Her contributions showcase the fusion of education, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit, resulting in a business that addresses the essential needs of parents and their children.
Ghazal Alagh’s net worth in Indian rupees is estimated to be around Rs. 142 crore.
Entrepreneurs with 1,000 Cr+ net worth
Puneet Gupta – Astrotalk:
Astrotalk, a platform co-founded by Puneet Gupta, is revolutionizing the way people seek astrological guidance.
Born with a visionary mindset, Puneet Gupta recognized the need for a modern approach to connecting users with experienced astrologers. He embarked on this venture to bridge the gap between traditional astrology and contemporary technology.
Post the Covid era, his startup has witnessed a remarkable surge in demand. According to reports, Puneet’s Astrology startup yields an impressive 30 lakh rupees per day. Having onboarded skilled astrologers, his network now spans over 1600 experts.
While specific details about Puneet Gupta’s net worth and current status might not be readily available, it is estimated to be around Rs 1600 crores.
his role as a driving force behind Astrotalk exemplifies the power of combining innovation and age-old practices to create meaningful and relevant services in the digital age.
Deepinder Goyal – Zomato:
Deepinder Goyal, a computer science graduate from IIT Delhi, along with co-founders Gunjan Patidar, Akriti Chopra, and Pankaj Chaddah, founded Zomato in 2008. What he started as a simple restaurant discovery platform gradually evolved into a comprehensive food delivery and restaurant services powerhouse.
Zomato revolutionized how people discover and order food. It provided users with a platform to explore menus, read reviews, and place orders online.
Zomato has grown into an international giant, offering services in multiple countries. The company went public in 2021, and its valuation soared, cementing its position as a leader in the food tech industry.
According to corporate shareholdings disclosed for June 30, 2023, Deepinder Goyal holds a 4.31% stake in Zomato, amounting to a net worth exceeding Rs. 3,395.4 Crore.
Entrepreneurs with 5,000 Cr+ net worth
Ritesh Agarwal – Oyo Rooms:
Ritesh Agarwal started Oyo Rooms in 2013. His journey began as a young entrepreneur hailing from a small town in Odisha. Initiating his entrepreneurial voyage, he dived into the world of business by selling SIM cards at the tender age of 13.
After completing his education at St. Johns Senior Secondary School in Kota, Rajasthan, Agarwal transitioned to Delhi to pursue higher studies
His company, Oyo Rooms, revolutionized the budget accommodation sector by standardizing and upgrading budget hotels to offer quality stays at affordable prices. The firm has become one of the world’s largest hotel chains, operating in numerous countries.
Although it faced challenges in recent times, Oyo continues to innovate and adapt to changing travel trends.
Ritesh Agarwal’s net worth in 2020 was estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion (Rs 8300 crore+), as recognized by the Hurun Rich List., making him the youngest self-made billionaire globally.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma – Paytm:
Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm in 2010, initially as a mobile recharge platform. With time, Paytm transformed into a comprehensive digital payments and financial services platform, catering to a wide range of transactions.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, born in Aligarh in 1978, was raised by his parents Sulom Prakash, a schoolteacher, and Asha Sharma, a housewife. Despite attending a Hindi medium school, Vijay displayed exceptional academic prowess and completed his secondary education by the age of 14. At 15, he gained admission to Delhi Technological University, immersing himself in the computer lab where his affinity for technology burgeoned.
During his time at the university, Sharma collaborated with a classmate and co-founded an online platform offering web-guided services. This venture eventually led to a profitable sale to a business entity. As of September 2022, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.1 billion.
Entrepreneurs with 10,000 Cr+ net worth
Bhavish Aggarwal – Ola Cabs:
Bhavish Aggarwal founded Ola Cabs in 2010 after experiencing a challenging taxi ride during a trip. The Ludhiana, Punjab-born entrepreneur holds a degree in computer science and engineering from IIT Bombay.
Ola Cabs disrupted the traditional taxi industry by providing a user-friendly app that allowed users to book rides with ease. The firm now has expanded to international markets and diversified its services to include bike taxis and electric vehicles. And it continues to shape the ride-hailing sector globally.
As per a list released jointly by IIFL Wealth and Hurun India in 2022, Bhavish Aggarwal has a wealth of Rs 11,700 crore.
Sriharsha Majety – Swiggy:
Nandan Reddy, Rahul Jaimini, and Sriharsha Majety founded Swiggy in 2014, leveraging technology to address the challenges of food delivery.
Sriharsha Majety attained his Bachelor’s in Engineering from BITS Pilani in 2008, and he subsequently went on to pursue a Master’s in Physics. Although he also undertook the CFA Programme, he soon discerned that his passion lay elsewhere. This realization led him to acquire a Post-Graduate Diploma from IIM, Calcutta, where he also assumed the role of a recruitment coordinator.
His company, Swiggy, redefined food delivery by optimizing the delivery process and ensuring a wide variety of restaurant options for users. The foodtech giant is a leading player in the food delivery industry, constantly innovating to enhance user experience and expand its services.
Not just entrepreneurship, Majety possesses an adventurous streak as well. There are reports that he embarked on an over 3,000-kilometer cycling journey across European countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
In January 2022, Swiggy achieved an impressive valuation of $10.7 billion (equivalent to over Rs 87,500 crore) through its most recent funding round. Although the exact net worth details for 2022 are not yet confirmed, Majety’s net worth was estimated to be around Rs 14,000 crore in 2020.
Kunal Shah – CRED:
Kunal Shah’s journey as an entrepreneur began with humble origins. He hails from a middle-class background and grew up in Mumbai, India. From an early age, he exhibited a keen interest in technology and business concepts. His drive and curiosity paved the way for a remarkable entrepreneurial path.
Kunal Shah is renowned for co-founding FreeCharge in 2010, an innovative mobile payments platform that allowed users to recharge prepaid mobile phones and pay utility bills online.
FreeCharge gained massive popularity due to its unique model of offering cashback rewards for transactions, effectively turning recharge expenses into savings. This innovative approach played a pivotal role in FreeCharge’s rapid rise.
In 2015, Snapdeal, an Indian e-commerce company, acquired FreeCharge for a substantial amount, showcasing the impact of Shah’s entrepreneurial acumen. Following the acquisition, Kunal Shah embarked on a new venture called CRED in 2018.
CRED is another brainchild of Kunal Shah, aiming to reward users for timely credit card bill payments and promoting financial responsibility. The platform caters to creditworthy individuals and provides them with exclusive offers and benefits. CRED has gained significant traction and has transformed into a leading fintech player in India’s digital landscape.
Kunal Shah’s visionary approach and success as an entrepreneur have translated into substantial financial gains. His net worth surged over the years, and as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, it was estimated to be around $15,000 crore (approximately $2 billion).
Entrepreneurs with 20,000 Cr+ net worth
Nithin Kamath – Zerodha:
Nithin Kamath co-founded Zerodha in 2010, aiming to democratize investing and trading by offering low-cost brokerage services.
Zerodha disrupted the brokerage industry by introducing a flat fee structure and user-friendly trading platforms. Although bootstrapped, Zerodha achieved an impressive valuation of $2 billion (equivalent to Rs 15,612 crores) in 2022.
Kamath’s trajectory from earning a modest Rs 8,000 per month at a call center to generating millions monthly stands as a source of inspiration.
Kamath’s vision has led Zerodha to become India’s largest retail stockbroker, with millions of clients and a significant market share. As per Forbes, Nithin Kamath boasts an estimated net worth of $2.7 billion (Rs 22,000 Cr+).
Falguni Nayar – Nykaa:
Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker, founded Nykaa in 2012, capitalizing on the growing online beauty and cosmetics market in India.
Nykaa disrupted the beauty industry by offering a vast range of products online, backed by quality customer service and expert advice.
Nykaa disrupted the beauty industry by offering an extensive range of products online, supported by exceptional customer service and expert advice. In 2022, Falguni secured a place on the Forbes India Rich List, ranking 44th. Her net worth is reported to be $4.08 billion (Rs 32,951.71 crore).
Nykaa has expanded its product offerings, including fashion and personal care. The company successfully went public, showcasing its strong position in the e-commerce sector.
These rankings can change depending on the financial growth of the entrepreneurs.
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