Successful Startups in India: List of Top 20 Startups
India’s startup ecosystem has become a global powerhouse, producing a wave of innovation across sectors like fintech, e-commerce, edtech, and healthcare. With over 100 unicorns and thousands of early-stage ventures, successful startups in India are transforming how people live, work, and shop.
The growth of top startups in India is further fueled by digital transformation, increasing smartphone penetration, and government initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, and Make in India. Investors from across the globe including Sequoia, Accel, Tiger Global, and SoftBank are actively backing Indian founders, validating the ecosystem’s strength and scalability.
Whether it’s the fintech revolution led by platforms like CRED and Groww, the e-commerce democratization driven by Meesho, or the rise of successful startups in India by women like Nykaa and Mamaearth, the diversity of innovation is remarkable. These companies are not just redefining industries but also inspiring millions of young Indians to take the entrepreneurial leap.
From Bengaluru’s tech corridors to Mumbai’s financial hubs, these top startups in India embody the country’s spirit of resilience, creativity, and scale. Whether they’re building for Bharat or going global, each startup reflects a new wave of opportunity. The startups in India are also growing with support from the top venture capital (VC) funds.
Let's explore the top 20 successful startups in India 2025 - featuring large unicorns, women-led companies, and small, agile ventures shaping the future.
Top 20 Successful Startups in India (2025)
1. CRED
CRED is a fintech startup revolutionizing credit card management in India. The platform rewards users for paying bills on time and provides exclusive offers from premium brands. Beyond payments, it's evolving into a full-stack financial platform with credit, lending, and investment features. CRED exemplifies the most successful startups in India with its focus on premium, creditworthy customers.
Business Model: CRED earns through partnerships, CRED Mint (P2P lending), and brand promotions. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Fintech Founded: 2018 Founder & CEO: Kunal Shah Valuation: $6.4 billion
2. Meesho
Meesho enables small businesses and individual sellers to reach millions of customers online. It's one of the most successful startups in India, empowering local entrepreneurs and home-based resellers. Meesho is particularly strong in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, making it a standout
Business Model: Commissions from sellers, ad placements, and logistics partnerships. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: E-commerce Founded: 2015 Founders: Vidit Aatrey, Sanjeev Barnwal Valuation: $6.2 billion
3. PharmEasy
PharmEasy has made healthcare accessible and affordable by delivering medicines and lab tests across India. It connects patients to nearby pharmacies and diagnostics centres. As one of the recent successful startups in India, it serves over 50 million customers.
Business Model: Commissions on orders, subscriptions, and partnerships with diagnostic labs. Headquarters: Mumbai Industry: Healthcare Founded: 2015 Founders: Siddharth Shah, Dhaval Shah Valuation: $458 million
4. Digit Insurance
Digit simplifies general insurance through its digital-first approach. It offers motor, health, travel, and fire insurance with a seamless online experience. With a 97% claim settlement ratio.
Business Model: Premium income from general insurance and reinsurance collaborations. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Fintech/Insurance Founded: 2016 Founders: Kamesh Goyal, Jasleen Kohli Valuation: $4 billion
5. Groww
Groww makes investing simple for millions of Indians through its intuitive trading and mutual fund platform. It's one of the top 10 successful startups in India 2025, serving retail investors with tech-first tools. With 10+ million active investors, Groww represents the democratization of investing.
Business Model: Commissions from mutual funds, trading fees, and premium features. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Fintech Founded: 2016 Founders: Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh Valuation: $2 billion
6. Zepto
Zepto disrupted India's grocery market with 10-minute deliveries. Its focus on efficiency, tech, and hyperlocal dark stores makes it one of the most successful startups in India in quick commerce. Founded by the youngest entrepreneurs to build a billion-dollar company.
Business Model: Delivery fees, commissions from FMCG brands, and private labels. Headquarters: Mumbai Industry: Quick Commerce Founded: 2021 Founders: Aadit Palicha, Kaivalya Vohra Valuation: $5 billion
7. Apna
Apna is India's leading professional networking and job platform for blue and grey-collar workers. It connects job seekers to verified employers across sectors. With 50+ million registered professionals, it's transforming India's workforce market.
Business Model: Subscription fees from recruiters and featured job listings. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: HR Tech Founded: 2019 Founder: Nirmit Parikh Valuation: $1.1 billion
8. Licious
Licious has redefined India's meat and seafood market with its farm-to-fork supply chain. It ensures quality, hygiene, and convenience for millions of non-vegetarian consumers. Among successful food startups in India, Licious operates 125+ collection centers with temperature-controlled logistics.
Business Model: Direct-to-consumer sales through its e-commerce platform and retail expansion. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Foodtech Founded: 2015 Founders: Abhay Hanjura, Vivek Gupta Valuation: $1.5 billion
9. Slice
Slice is a fintech platform aimed at young salaried professionals and students, offering digital credit cards and UPI/BNPL services. It's notable that 85% of users are first-time credit card holders, making it a key player among successful fintech startups in India.
Business Model: Starting with credit-card bill payments and virtual cards, Slice shifted to term-loans via its NBFC arm. Revenue streams include interest on unsecured loans, interchange fees, merchant partnerships, and premium member subscriptions. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Fintech Founded: 2016 Founder & CEO: Rajan Bajaj Valuation: $1.8 billion
10. Byju's
Byju's, the global edtech pioneer, offers adaptive learning programs across K–12 and competitive exams. Despite recent restructuring, it remains a key player in edtech.
Business Model: Revenue through subscriptions, test prep, and international markets. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Edtech Founded: 2011 Founders: Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath Valuation: Under restructuring
11. Tata 1mg
Tata 1mg is a digital healthcare platform simplifying access to medicines, diagnostics, and doctor consultations. After being acquired by Tata Digital in 2021, it has strengthened its position in India's healthtech sector.
Business Model: Commission from pharmacy sales and diagnostic services. Headquarters: Gurugram Industry: Healthtech Founded: 2015 Founders: Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal Valuation: $1.25 billion
12. Dream Sports
Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, transformed fantasy gaming in India. It's among the top startups in India 2025 in the sports-tech space with 180+ million registered users.
Business Model: Entry fees for contests, partnerships, and brand sponsorships. Headquarters: Mumbai Industry: Sports Tech Founded: 2008 Founders: Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth Valuation: $8 billion
13. Delhivery
Delhivery is India's largest logistics and supply chain startup, providing delivery and warehousing services across the country. Covering 18,000+ pin codes, it's a critical infrastructure player among successful startups in India in last 10 years.
Business Model: Freight, warehousing, and e-commerce logistics. Headquarters: Gurugram Industry: Logistics Founded: 2011 Founders: Sahil Barua, Mohit Tandon, Bhavesh Manglani Valuation: $3.4 billion
Successful Startups in India by Women
Gender diversity in the startup ecosystem is improving, women are leading the change. Women-led ventures now form nearly 20% of all startups, with increasing investor backing and government support. These successful startups in India by women are breaking barriers across beauty, e-commerce, media, and technology sectors.
14. Mamaearth
Mamaearth is a D2C personal care brand offering toxin-free beauty and baby products. Co-founded by Ghazal Alagh, it became one of the most prominent successful startups in India by women and went public in 2023.
Business Model: Direct online sales through its website and marketplaces like Amazon and Nykaa. Headquarters: Gurugram Industry: Beauty & Wellness Founded: 2016 Founders: Ghazal Alagh, Varun Alagh Valuation: $1.2 billion
15. Nykaa
Nykaa disrupted India's beauty industry by combining e-commerce with premium retail experiences. Founded by Falguni Nayar, it became India's first woman-led unicorn to go public, making it one of the most successful startups in India.
Business Model: E-commerce and physical stores, brand collaborations, and exclusive products. Headquarters: Mumbai Industry: E-commerce/Beauty Founded: 2012 Founder: Falguni Nayar Valuation: $7.4 billion
16. YourStory
YourStory is India's largest media platform for entrepreneurs and startups, founded by journalist-turned-entrepreneur Shradha Sharma. With 30+ million monthly readers, it's the voice of India's startup ecosystem.
Business Model: Sponsored content, brand partnerships, and digital events. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Media/Startup Ecosystem Founded: 2008 Founder: Shradha Sharma Valuation: $70 million
Small Successful Startups in India
Smaller startups are driving innovation by focusing on niche sectors and solving local problems. These small successful startups in India show how innovation doesn't require billion-dollar funding — just vision and execution. They represent the diverse entrepreneurial spirit across sectors.
17. Innov8
Innov8 provides modern coworking spaces for startups, freelancers, and corporates, redefining India's work culture. Operating in 20+ cities, it's among the small successful startups in India creating impact.
Business Model: Subscription-based coworking services and customized corporate leasing. Headquarters: Gurugram Industry: Real Estate/Workspace Founded: 2015 Founder: Dr. Ritesh Malik Valuation: $50 million
18. Chumbak
Chumbak is a lifestyle and design brand offering quirky, India-inspired home décor and accessories. With 70+ retail locations, it's a beloved brand among small successful startups in India.
Business Model: Retail stores and e-commerce sales. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Retail/Lifestyle Founded: 2010 Founders: Vivek Prabhakar, Shubhra Chadda Valuation: $70 million
19. Dunzo
Dunzo started as a small delivery app and became a household name in urban convenience. Despite challenges, it remains a recognized player among recent successful startups in India.
Business Model: Delivery commissions, business partnerships, and subscriptions. Headquarters: Bengaluru Industry: Quick Commerce Founded: 2015 Founders: Kabeer Biswas, Ankur Agarwal Valuation: $200 million
20. Zostel
Zostel transformed India's travel industry with affordable backpacker hostels. With 75+ hostels across India, it's a pioneer among small successful startups in India in hospitality.
Business Model: Franchise-based accommodation and bookings. Headquarters: Gurugram Industry: Travel/Hospitality Founded: 2013 Founders: Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Paavan Nanda Valuation: $40 million
List of Top 20 Successful Startups in India (2025)
| No. | Startup Name | Industry | Headquarters | Founder(s) / CEO | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRED | Fintech | Bengaluru | Kunal Shah | $6.4 billion |
| 2 | Meesho | E-commerce | Bengaluru | Vidit Aatrey, Sanjeev Barnwal | $6.2 billion |
| 3 | PharmEasy | Healthcare | Mumbai | Siddharth Shah, Dhaval Shah | $458 million |
| 4 | Digit Insurance | Fintech / Insurance | Bengaluru | Kamesh Goyal, Jasleen Kohli | $4 billion |
| 5 | Groww | Fintech | Bengaluru | Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh | $2 billion |
| 6 | Zepto | Quick Commerce | Mumbai | Aadit Palicha, Kaivalya Vohra | $5 billion |
| 7 | Apna | HR Tech | Bengaluru | Nirmit Parikh | $1.1 billion |
| 8 | Licious | Foodtech | Bengaluru | Abhay Hanjura, Vivek Gupta | $1.5 billion |
| 9 | Slice | Fintech | Bengaluru | Rajan Bajaj | $1.8 billion |
| 10 | Byju’s | Edtech | Bengaluru | Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath | Under restructuring |
| 11 | Tata 1mg | Healthtech | Gurugram | Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal | $1.25 billion |
| 12 | Dream Sports | Sports Tech | Mumbai | Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth | $8 billion |
| 13 | Delhivery | Logistics | Gurugram | Sahil Barua, Mohit Tandon, Bhavesh Manglani | $3.4 billion |
| 14 | Mamaearth | Beauty & Wellness | Gurugram | Ghazal Alagh, Varun Alagh | $1.2 billion |
| 15 | Nykaa | E-commerce / Beauty | Mumbai | Falguni Nayar | $7.4 billion |
| 16 | YourStory | Media / Startup Ecosystem | Bengaluru | Shradha Sharma | $70 million |
| 17 | Innov8 | Real Estate / Workspace | Gurugram | Dr. Ritesh Malik | $50 million |
| 18 | Chumbak | Retail / Lifestyle | Bengaluru | Vivek Prabhakar, Shubhra Chadda | $70 million |
| 19 | Dunzo | Quick Commerce | Bengaluru | Kabeer Biswas, Ankur Agarwal | $200 million |
| 20 | Zostel | Travel / Hospitality | Gurugram | Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Paavan Nanda | $40 million |
Notable Startups in India That Failed
While many ventures thrived, several promising startups couldn’t translate their ideas into scalable businesses. Learning from these unsuccessful startups in India helps founders understand the importance of timing, market validation, and execution.
Turning an idea into a viable business requires structured planning and a strong product-market fit. To explore how startups can bridge this gap, check out GrowthJockey’s guide on venture building from idea to market
Major Failures and Lessons:
Zilingo (Failed 2022)
- Fashion-tech unicorn collapsed due to governance and funding issues
- Peak Valuation: $970 million
- Lessons: Financial transparency and governance are critical
TinyOwl (Shut down 2016)
- Hyperlocal food delivery app that failed to scale logistics and operations
- Funding Raised: $17 million
- Lessons: Delivery logistics complexity and cash burn sustainability
Lido Learning (Shut down 2022)
- Edtech startup that grew too quickly during COVID-19 without sustainable revenue
- Funding Raised: $20 million
- Lessons: Pandemic winners need post-pandemic business models
Doodhwala (Shut down 2019)
- Milk delivery app that shut down due to cash flow constraints
- Funding Raised: $3 million
- Lessons: Low-margin businesses require massive scale
Stayzilla (Failed 2017)
- Budget hotel aggregator that couldn't compete with OYO
- Funding Raised: $33 million
- Lessons: Capital efficiency and customer experience are paramount
These cases remind us that innovation must align with sustainable business models and sound financial management.
Growth of the Indian Startup Ecosystem (Data + Trend Analysis)
The growth of successful startups in India in the last 5 years has been phenomenal. As of 2025, India hosts over 115 unicorns valued at more than $350 billion collectively. The successful startups in India in last 3 years (2022-2025) have shown remarkable resilience despite global economic headwinds.
Key Statistics:
Unicorn Growth:
- 2020: 38 unicorns
- 2025: 115+ unicorns
- New unicorns in 2022: 23 (record year)
- Total value created: $400+ billion over the decade
Sector-wise Distribution:
- Fintech: 30% of all unicorns - including successful fintech startups in India like CRED, Groww, Razorpay
- E-commerce: 20% - led by Meesho, Flipkart
- Edtech: 12% - including successful edtech startups in India like Byju's, Unacademy
- SaaS: 15% - featuring successful tech startups in India like Freshworks, Postman
- Foodtech: 8% - including successful food startups in India like Zomato, Swiggy
Investment Trends:
- Total funding (2020-2025): $120+ billion
- 2024 funding: $11.3 billion across 1,200+ deals
- Average deal size: Increased from $8M to $15M
- Sectors seeing growth: AI/ML, Climate tech, B2B SaaS
Government Initiatives:
Government initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, and Make in India have boosted funding and global investor interest. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) provides up to ₹20 lakh for idea-stage startups to develop prototypes.
Key Programs:
- Startup India Recognition: 100,000+ startups recognized
- Fund of Funds: ₹10,000 crore corpus deployed through SIDBI
- Tax Benefits: 3-year tax holiday for eligible startups
- Ease of Doing Business: Single-window clearance system
Geographic Distribution:
Top Startup Cities:
1. Bengaluru: 40% of unicorns, leading in tech and SaaS
2. Delhi-NCR: 25%, strong in e-commerce and fintech
3. Mumbai: 20%, dominant in fintech and media
4. Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai: Emerging hubs with 15% combined
Tier-2 City Growth: Cities like Jaipur, Indore, Kochi, and Chandigarh are seeing 45% year-over-year growth in startup registrations, representing the next wave of new successful startups in india.
Future Outlook (2025-2030):
The future of Indian startups lies in:
- Tier-2 and Tier-3 city expansion - 60% of new startups expected
- Sustainability-focused innovations - Climate tech funding to triple
- AI-powered platforms - 80% of startups integrating AI
- Global SaaS products - Indian SaaS revenue to hit $50B by 2030
- Deep tech - Space tech, biotech, quantum computing emerging
With steady investment inflow, improving infrastructure, and a young demographic, India is positioned to remain one of the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world by 2030. The number of successful startups in India is expected to grow exponentially, with estimates suggesting 200+ unicorns by 2030.
How Many Successful Startups in India?
How many successful startups in india exist today? While there are 100,000+ registered startups, approximately:
- 115 unicorns (valued at $1B+)
- 200+ soonicorns (likely to become unicorns)
- 5,000+ funded startups with sustainable business models
- 50,000+ bootstrapped businesses achieving profitability
Percentage of Successful Startups in India:
The percentage of successful startups in india varies by definition. If success means survival beyond 5 years, approximately 10-15% of startups succeed. However, if measured by profitability, the number drops to 5-8%. Among VC-backed startups, about 20% achieve significant exits or unicorn status.
List of Startup Companies in India (Top 100)
Here's a comprehensive list of startup companies in india spanning various sectors, representing the **top 100 successful startups in india:
Fintech (Successful Fintech Startups in India): CRED, Groww, Digit Insurance, Slice, Razorpay, Paytm, BharatPe, PolicyBazaar, Zerodha, PhonePe, Mobikwik, Lendingkart, Capital Float, MoneyTap, Rupeek
E-commerce & Retail: Meesho, Nykaa, Flipkart, Myntra, FirstCry, Lenskart, Urban Company, Purplle, Bewakoof, Mamaearth
Foodtech (Successful Food Startups in India): Zomato, Swiggy, Licious, Rebel Foods, FreshMenu, Box8, InnerChef
Healthcare: PharmEasy, Tata 1mg, Practo, Pristyn Care, Curefit, MediBuddy, DocsApp
Edtech (Successful Edtech Startups in India): Byju's, Unacademy, upGrad, Physics Wallah, Vedantu, Toppr, Great Learning, Simplilearn
Logistics: Delhivery, BlackBuck, Porter, Shadowfax, Ecom Express, Xpressbees
Quick Commerce: Zepto, Blinkit (Zomato), Swiggy Instamart, Dunzo
Tech & SaaS (Successful Tech Startups in India): Freshworks, Postman, Zoho, Chargebee, CleverTap, BrowserStack, Darwinbox, WebEngage, Whatfix, Icertis
Travel & Hospitality: OYO, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, ixigo, Treebo, Zostel, Cleartrip
Gaming & Sports: Dream Sports (Dream11), Mobile Premier League (MPL), Games24x7, Nazara, WinZO, Zupee
Job Platforms: Apna, Naukri.com, Indeed India, Internshala
B2B Commerce (Successful Business Startups in India): OfBusiness, Moglix, Udaan, IndustryBuying, Power2SME
Agritech (Successful Agri Startups in India): DeHaat, Ninjacart, WayCool Foods, AgroStar, Bijak, Kheyti
Mobility: Ola, Rapido, Bounce, Yulu, BluSmart, Ather Energy
Real Estate Tech: Housing.com, NoBroker, PropTiger, NestAway, Stanza Living, Livspace
AI & Emerging Tech (Successful AI Startups in India): Haptik, Niki.ai, SigTuple, Niramai, Active.ai
Content & Media: ShareChat, Chingari, Pocket FM, YourStory, The Ken
Fashion D2C (Successful Clothing Startups in India): Bewakoof, Urbanic, Snitch, The Souled Store, Rare Rabbit
Beauty & Wellness: Mamaearth, Sugar Cosmetics, mCaffeine, Plum, WOW Skin Science
Social Impact: Phool.co (sustainable products), Climes (carbon credits), Varthana (education financing)
Unicorns (Successful Unicorn Startups in India): All companies valued at $1B+ including CARS24, InMobi, Innovaccer, Icertis, Mindtickle
This list of successful startups in india represents diverse sectors and business models, from bootstrapped ventures to micro-venture (VC) capital backed startups.
Best Startups in India for Freshers
For those entering the job market, the best startups in india for freshers offer great learning opportunities, growth potential, and innovative work cultures:
Top Choices:
- Tech Startups: Freshworks, Postman, Razorpay, Zerodha
- Edtech: Byju's, Unacademy, upGrad, Physics Wallah
- Fintech: CRED, Groww, BharatPe, Slice
- E-commerce: Meesho, Flipkart, Nykaa
- Foodtech: Zomato, Swiggy, Rebel Foods
Why These Companies?
- Strong learning culture and mentorship
- Exposure to cutting-edge technology
- Fast career progression
- Competitive compensation and ESOPs
- Vibrant, young work environment
Conclusion
India's startup story is one of resilience, creativity, and ambition. From billion-dollar unicorns to small, niche ventures, the country's entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve.
The list of successful startups in india continues to grow, with new startups in india emerging every day. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or job seeker exploring best startups in india for freshers, India's startup ecosystem offers something for everyone.
At GrowthJockey - Full Stack Venture Builder, we empower founders, early-stage startups, and established businesses to scale faster - through strategy, digital growth, and innovation support. If you're building the next big thing in India, GrowthJockey can help you get there.
FAQs
Q1. Which startup is most successful in India?
CRED, Meesho, Zepto, and Nykaa are among the most successful startups in India based on innovation, valuation, and user growth. Zerodha stands out as the most successful bootstrapped startup.
Q2. Which startup sector is growing fast in India?
Fintech, AI, quick commerce, and B2B SaaS sectors are currently the fastest-growing. The successful fintech startups in india and successful ai startups in india categories are seeing maximum investor interest.
Q3. Which business startup is best for India?
E-commerce, digital education, sustainable D2C brands, and agritech are the best startup options in 2025 due to strong market demand and government support.
Q4. What is a 20 lakh grant for startups?
It refers to financial support under schemes like Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), offering up to ₹20 lakh for idea-stage startups to develop prototypes or MVPs.
Q5. How many successful startups in India?
India has 115+ unicorns, 200+ soonicorns, and approximately 5,000 funded startups with sustainable business models. The percentage of successful startups in india (surviving beyond 5 years) is around 10-15%.
Q6. What are some successful startups in India by women?
Nykaa (Falguni Nayar), Mamaearth (Ghazal Alagh), Sugar Cosmetics (Vineeta Singh), and YourStory (Shradha Sharma) are leading successful startups in india by women.
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