Mumbai: Earlier this year, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had highlighted in its report how Indian startups are likely to create 50 million new jobs and add $1 trillion to the economy by 2029-30 (FY30). The technological advancements witnessed in the last decade are proof of this projection, as they continue to help founders disrupt the industry with innovative solutions. From mobility to hospitality and even sectors such as media, gaming and entertainment, technological innovations have helped entrepreneurs claim new heights of success, from very early on.
Harnessing cutting-edge technologies, these young entrepreneurs have unlocked new benchmarks of success, building enterprises that deliver immense public value. We look at five such startup founders whose entrepreneurial passion has broken all barriers, and that too, early on in their lives.
Ritesh Agarwal: Founded OYO Rooms in 2013 at the age of 19
Ritesh’s extensive travel across India exposed a significant gap in the market—budget hotels that offered both affordability and quality service were hard to come by. This insight led to the creation of OYO in 2013. What began as a solution to a personal problem quickly evolved into one of the world’s largest hotel chains, now over 1.5 million rooms in more than 80 countries.
By leveraging advanced technology, OYO has made booking affordable and quality accommodations effortless and accessible. Agarwal’s story is an inspiring example of turning a simple, idle observation into a global business. His other key achievements include being the youngest Shark on Shark Tank India Season 3 and getting featured in the Hurun Rich List with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion, among others.
Dilsher Malhi: Founded Zupee in 2018 at the age of 23
Dilsher Malhi is the founder and CEO of Zupee, a skill-based gaming company, known for its flagship game Zupee Ludo. For Dilsher, the journey started in 2018, when after graduating with a B. Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, he went on to pursue his passion with entrepreneurship and gaming. His technology-led innovation and gamification approach took him to create Zupee, which has become a leader in gaming innovation in the fiercely competitive online gaming industry. Dilsher and his team reinvented skill-based Ludo in an online avatar to empower users with learning and joy. In the process, Zupee did not only own a category, they actually established the category. Under his leadership, Zupee has 100 mn users associated with them. Featured on Forbes 30 under 30 Asia, 2021, the story of Dilsher goes on to prove that with passion and vision, everything is possible.
Bhavish Aggarwal: Founded Ola in 2010 at the age of 25
Bhavish Aggarwal is the co-founder and CEO of Ola, a ride-hailing platform. His journey began in 2010, when, after earning a B. Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, he decided to transform the transportation industry in India. Bhavish’s vision was to leverage technology to create a convenient and affordable solution to the country’s chaotic commuting challenges. What started as a small operation in Mumbai quickly expanded into a nationwide network, offering services in over 250 cities. Under his leadership, Ola has grown into a diversified mobility platform, branching into electric vehicles, food delivery, and financial services. Bhavish’s relentless pursuit of innovation has not only disrupted the traditional taxi industry but has also made Ola a household name across India
Pavan Guntupalli (24), Aravind Sanka (25), and SR Rishikesh: Co-founded Rapido in 2015
Within 9 years of its inception, Rapido undertook technology and business innovation to foray into all three verticals of ride hailing services, including Rapido Bike-taxis, Auto rickshaw, and cabs. Rigged with technology, the app connects commuters with bike taxis for an easy and pocket-friendly way of getting around cities quickly. Services are now available in more than 100 cities. Rapido is expanding its ride offerings in more cities, looking to further strengthen its position as a ride-hailing leader with its zero-commission model.
Azhar Iqubal: Co-founded Inshorts in 2013 at the age of 22
Azhar Iqubal is the Co-founder and CEO of Inshorts, a cutting-edge content discovery platform that has revolutionised how news is consumed in the digital age. At 22, Azhar recognised the need for a more efficient way to access information, especially in a world where attention spans are shrinking. Leveraging his technical expertise and an understanding of user behaviour, he co-founded Inshorts in 2013. The platform uses algorithms to curate and summarize news into 60-word snippets, delivering concise and relevant content to millions of users daily. Azhar’s tech-driven approach streamlined news consumption and also set a new standard in the media industry. Under his leadership, Inshorts has become a go-to source for quick, reliable news, proving that innovation in technology can fundamentally make a difference in how information is disseminated and consumed.
