Top 11 Young Entrepreneurs in India Changing the Game

Young entrepreneurs in India are redefining business with their bold ideas and innovations. With access to technology, online learning, and digital tools, they are turning their ideas into successful businesses faster than ever.

But it’s more than just speed these young founders are tackling major challenges like climate change and healthcare, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. Whether funding their ventures independently or with investor support, they show how passion, the right tools, and a strong mindset can drive meaningful change.

In these 11 success stories, you'll see how the new generation of business leaders is changing what it means to be an entrepreneur.

The Mindset of a Young Entrepreneur

Today’s young entrepreneurs are reshaping industries with fresh ideas, bold thinking, and a problem-solving mindset to every challenge. What makes them different is their confidence and adaptability. They don’t wait for change they create it.

They find opportunities where others see obstacles and use technology to solve real-world problems. They also balance risk with responsibility, building businesses that aim for both profit and impact.

These entrepreneurs experiment with new platforms and quickly adjust to market changes. Most importantly, they build businesses that reflect their generation’s values like sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact. They create brands that truly connect with today’s consumers.

11 Inspiring success stories of Young Entrepreneurs In India

Young entrepreneurs in India are succeeding in different industries. Here are 11 inspiring stories to learn from.

Founders Under 18

1. Tilak Mehta - Papers N Parcels

At just 13, Tilak started a delivery service. He saw that Mumbai’s delivery system was slow and ineffective and wanted to fix it. Then, he created a same-day courier service with help from Dabbawallas. Now, his company makes thousands of deliveries every day across Mumbai.

2. Akhilendra Sahu - ASTNT Technologies

Akhilendra Sahu, known as the “World’s Youngest Serial Entrepreneur,” started freelancing at 16 to gain some experience. With hard work and persistence, he built multiple companies, including ASTNT Technologies, ASTNT Hosting, ASTNT Media, Technical Next, ASTNT Newswire, and StartUp199.

3. Rohit Kashyap - Maytree

Rohit Kashyap, a young entrepreneur from Patna, Bihar, began his journey at just 14 by founding Foodcubo, a food-tech startup. Despite leaving formal schooling after Class VII, he pursued open education and taught himself coding and business. At 17, he launched the Maytree School of Entrepreneurship to mentor aspiring youth, impacting thousands of students across India. His work earned him the Karmaveer Chakra Award and recognition as one of India’s youngest startup founders.

Young Entrepreneurs Under 25

4. Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha - Zepto

At 19, Kaivalya and Aadit changed the delivery game with their 10-minute delivery model. They started Zepto and quickly made it a big name in India’s delivery market. Their focus on speed and efficiency changed how people shop for groceries.

5. Shashvat Nakrani - BharatPe

At 19, Shashvat Nakrani co-founded BharatPe, helping merchants accept payments from multiple apps with one QR code. His idea boosted small businesses and made BharatPe a key player in digital payments.

By 25, Shasvat was the youngest entrepreneur on the Hurun India Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2023 list.

6. Ritesh Agarwal - OYO Rooms

Ritesh Agarwal turned his passion for travel into a game-changing business. At just 17, he saw how hard it was to find affordable hotels with good services. To fix this, he launched OYO Rooms, offering budget-friendly stays with standard amenities.

His idea quickly grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Today, OYO is valued at over $10 billion, and Ritesh, with a net worth of over $1 billion, is the world’s second-youngest self-made billionaire.

7. Prafull Billore - MBA Chaiwala

Prafull Billore, also known as MBA Chaiwala, began with just a small tea stall and Rs. 8,000. Slowly, he turned that small stall into a successful chain of tea shops. He used social media to reach more people, which helped him become a well-known name.

8. Trishneet Arora - TAC Security

Trishneet started his cybersecurity company as a teenager. Now, his company, TAC Security, provides security services like protecting websites, networks, and apps from cyberattacks. His clients include big companies like Reliance, Vodafone, and HP. Trishneet is an expert in ethical hacking.

Today, Trishneet is a leader in the cybersecurity field.

9. Anish Basu Roy and Sagar Bhalotia - TagZ Foods

The founders, Anish and Sagar, noticed that there weren’t many healthy snacks in India. Most snacks were fried, which isn’t the healthiest option. So, they came up with the idea of making baked chips.

Their idea got attention from Shark Tank India, and investors like Ashneer Grover and Aman Gupta decided to invest in their startup. Now, their brand, TagZ Foods, is available in stores all over India, giving people a healthier snack choice.

10. Ekta Jaju - ONganic

Ekta Jaju started an organic food brand to help farmers in rural areas. Her idea is simple: link farmers directly with city grocery stores and restaurants. This way, they make more money, and customers get fresh, organic food. The company also supports farming methods that are good for the environment.

11. Nithin Kamath - Zerodha

Nithin Kamath began trading stocks at 17, which led him to launch Zerodha in 2007. His zero-commission model and easy-to-use platform made investing accessible to millions.

Today, Zerodha has over 7 million users and is India’s third-largest stockbroker after ICICI and HDFC. With a net worth of $1.9 billion, Nithin Kamath has redefined stock trading in India.

3 Key takeaways from their journeys

The stories of different young founders above show us the power of being strong, creative, and leading well. Here are three key lessons to learn from them:

1. Age is just a mindset

Young entrepreneurs’ fresh ideas help them see opportunities others might miss, and their deep understanding of their generation’s needs leads to solutions that really work. From new delivery apps to creative retail ideas, these founders show that knowing your market is more important than your age or years of experience.

2. Start small, think big

These entrepreneurs began with small, manageable steps before scaling up. They tested their ideas quickly whether by serving one neighbourhood, offering a single product, or reaching a few customers. They tracked their progress, gathered feedback, and made improvements. This approach helped them refine their business before expanding further.

3. Digital-first approach

These founders used technology and social media to drive their business growth. By tapping into online platforms, they connected with their audience and built strong digital communities.

Many started as online-only stores or services, using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to increase brand visibility and attract loyal followers. Their digital presence not only boosted sales but also created a direct line of communication with their customers, helping them grow faster and reach a wider audience.

How to start your entrepreneurial journey as a young innovator

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for the “perfect” moment; they take action, test their ideas, and adapt quickly based on real-world feedback. Here’s how you can begin your journey with clarity and purpose.

1. Spot problems and find opportunities

Every successful business starts with a problem waiting to be solved. Train yourself to see these gaps whether it’s an everyday inconvenience or a broken system. The most promising ideas often come from listening closely to what people need.

Look beyond the idea: talk to potential customers. What frustrates them? What solutions would they pay for? The best business ideas solve real problems, not just interesting ones.

2. Build skills and test your ideas

A strong business needs more than just a good concept it needs skills and experience. Learn the basics of managing money, understanding customers, and marketing your idea.

Don’t wait for the perfect time; start small. Try freelance projects, side hustles, or mini-business experiments to test your ideas with real customers. These small steps help you learn fast, fail safely, and find out what works without spending a fortune.

3. Test, improve, and grow

No product is perfect from day one. The key is to launch, gather feedback, and improve. Start with a simple version of your product or service just enough to show customers what you offer. Get their feedback, listen to their pain points, and refine your solution.

Meanwhile, build your online presence where your customers are on LinkedIn, Instagram, or relevant industry forums. Strong visibility helps you reach new customers and grow your brand.

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FAQs

1. What is a young entrepreneur?

Young entrepreneurs are typically someone under 35 who start and run their own business. In India, many successful founders start even before turning 20.

2. Who is the 17-year-old entrepreneur in India?

Prafful Billore, known as MBA Chaiwala, started his business at 17. With excellent marketing and service, he changed his small tea stall into a nationwide brand.

3. Who is India's youngest entrepreneur?

Kaivalya Vohra is one of India’s youngest entrepreneurs. He co-founded Zepto, a quick commerce delivery app.

4. Who is the 13-year-old business owner in India?

Tilak Mehta is recognised as one of India's youngest entrepreneurs. He founded Papers N Parcels at age 13, creating a successful courier service in Mumbai using the city's dabbawala network.