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From quick groceries to AI-powered platforms, a fresh wave of young Indian entrepreneurs is reshaping the startup scene. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U30 List 2025, released on Wednesday, celebrates 79 under-30 founders who are leading the charge; collectively raising over $5.2 billion in equity, creating 64,000+ jobs, and transforming how India thinks about innovation.
At just 22, Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha have already made headlines with Zepto. The duo’s 10-minute delivery model and $1.95 billion in equity funding have turned their startup into a quick commerce juggernaut. Meanwhile, Shashvat Nakrani, 26, co-founder of BharatPe, has been changing how India’s small businesses handle digital payments, helping over 10 million merchants with India’s first zero-MDR UPI QR code system.
A billion-dollar generation
Even on the global stage, Indian names are making a mark. Aravind Srinivas, 30, has raised $915 million for Perplexity—a next-gen AI-powered search engine challenging how people consume information.
And this isn’t just about funding and flashy headlines. The U30 founders are, in many ways, redefining ambition itself.
“What we’re seeing is a powerful movement of self-made founders redefining ambition and access,” said Anas Rahman Junaid, Managing Director and Chief Researcher at Hurun India. “India’s young economy is evolving, with first-generation entrepreneurs driving wealth creation and innovation across the board.”
Where the capital is going
Out of the 79 listed, 66 are first-generation entrepreneurs—many building in sectors like software (21 founders), consumer goods (12), and fintech (9). About 61 per cent of these businesses are service-led.
The report also offers insights into where the money is going: 44 per cent of the capital raised is spent on product development and expansion, 30 per cent on entering new geographies, and 12 per cent on hiring.
Talent beyond metro cities
While Mumbai leads the U30 hub with 15 names, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Jaipur follow closely. Surprisingly, cities like Ranchi, Thane, and Ahmedabad are also contributing to this new wave. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan are the top three states represented on the list.
Educational pedigree plays its role too BITS Pilani alumni shine bright with eight featured founders, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi.
Women entrepreneurs are also making their presence felt. Devika Gholap of OptraSCAN is pushing boundaries in digital pathology, while Romita Mazumdar’s skincare brand Foxtale is challenging global giants with a product line made for Indian skin.
The ripple effects go beyond India. Pixxel, co-founded by 27-year-olds Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, is launching satellites to track Earth’s health from space. And in job creation, India’s U30 founders are far ahead averaging 870 jobs per venture, compared to China’s 250 and the UK’s 22.
“This is a transformative moment for Indian entrepreneurship,” said Apurva Sahijwani, MD and CEO of Avendus Wealth. “These young founders are starting earlier, scaling faster, and bringing a global perspective to their ventures. Their commitment and innovation are setting new benchmarks for success.”
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