Inspiring Change: The Stories of India’s Leading Entrepreneurs
New Delhi (India), July 11: The world’s largest democracy with the fastest-growing economy, has the largest population in the world. This growth has led to many billionaire entrepreneurs. However, only 11 to 15 percent of Indians work in the entrepreneurial sector, and just 5 to 10 percent of these entrepreneurs succeed in growing their businesses.
To improve the economy and support the entrepreneurial sector, it’s important to focus more on entrepreneurship. In areas like education, technology, healthcare, and finance, Indian entrepreneurs are making big changes and significant impacts both in India and around the world. This compilation by Hello Entrepreneurs highlights some of the most inspiring Indian entrepreneurs who are shaping the future with their hard work and dedication to excellence.
Bipin Sule CEO of Vishwakarma Institutes & University Pune
Prof (Dr). Bipin Sule, CEO of Vishwakarma Group in Pune, is a seasoned strategist in management and education with over 32 years of experience. He leads operations across 5 campuses, 15+ institutes, managing 2200+ staff and 22,000+ students. A computer engineers with advanced degrees in management, Prof (Dr). Bipin Sule holds multiple certifications and has received over 50 national and 7 international awards. Renowned for his innovative approaches, he is recognized for his significant contributions to professional education and the implementation of NEP 2020 in India.
Sona Mistry Founder of Sonamistry_Mehandi
Sona Mistry is a proficient Mehandi artist who has redefined the art of henna application. With over seven years of experience, she views Mehandi as a symbol of equality and uses her skills to make a social impact. Sona collaborates with NGOs to bring her art to underprivileged communities and strives to break gender stereotypes by encouraging men to partake in Mehandi traditions. Renowned for her contemporary designs, she has created Mehandi art for numerous celebrities and provided her services internationally in countries like Budapest, Portugal, Italy, Thailand, South Africa, and Bali. As a dynamic entrepreneur, Sona manages three additional startups, showcasing her versatility and innovative spirit in the business world.
Dharmikshree Jani, Astrologer
Astrologer Dharmikshree Jani, a 13th-generation Vedic astrologer with a 300-year family legacy, serves over 99,000 clients globally. Astrologer Dharmikshree specializes in astrology, face reading, palmistry, and Hindu philosophies. Astrologer Dharmikshree excels in corporate astrology, Vastu, and relationship solutions. Astrologer Dharmikshree also specializes in predicting politics, the stock market, cricket, and current affairs. His insights provide valuable foresight into various aspects of life and events. As an entrepreneur, Astrologer Dharmikshree merges ancient wisdom with modern business practices, creating customized astrological tools for strategic planning and market expansion. Astrologer Dharmikshree’s holistic approach to business growth and spiritual guidance makes him a sought-after consultant internationally.
Nithin Kamath Founder of Zerodha
Nithin Kamath started trading at 17 and managed his father’s account while studying. He became a self-employed trader from 1997 to 2004 during college, learning market dynamics despite a setback in 2001-2002 when he lost Rs. 5 lakh.After college, due to financial constraints, he worked in a call centre at night and traded during the day. He later started Kamath & Associates in 2006 as a sub-broker for Reliance Money, offering advisory services and proprietary trading. In 2010, Nithin and his brother Nikhil founded Zerodha, aiming to revolutionize India’s brokerage industry.
Amit Jain Founder of CarDekho
Amit Jain is the CEO and co-founder of CarDekho, one of India’s leading online car-buying platforms. Alongside his brother Anurag Jain, he launched CarDekho in 2008. The platform provides various services, including car research, financing, insurance, and roadside assistance. Amit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, completed in 2003, and an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, which he earned in 2006. Amit began his professional journey as a Senior Associate at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. During his tenure at McKinsey, he worked in both New York and India, focusing on the automotive and high-tech sectors.
Priyanka Nishar Founder and Managing Director of Azent Overseas Education.
Azent Overseas Education is a leading study- abroad education consultancy, dedicated to guiding aspiring students towards fulfilling their dreams of studying overseas.
Priyanka Nishar is the Founder and Managing Director of the Company and has been deftly steering it to achieve new feats. She is an Engineering Graduate from Cornell University and MBA from Harvard Business School. She has previously worked with the Admissions Committee of New York University Stern School of Business and with Accenture and Hexaware.
Anand Shukla, Pharmacology Professor of Subharati Medical College University India
Dr. Anand Shukla, MBBS, MD, PhD, DSc, DPHV (ICRI), FCLR (Apollo Hospital), is a distinguished medical professional and entrepreneur. Serving as Additional Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance at Subharti Medical College, Meerut, he has an extensive background in emergency medicine, oncology, and longevity research. Dr. Shukla is renowned for his contributions to pharmacovigilance, nano medicine, and community health. An accomplished medical journalist and social media expert, he also excels as a millionaire expert trainer and motivational speaker, inspiring professionals with his expertise in entrepreneurship and scientology.
Bharath Kumar Kakkireni, Chairman & CEO of KBK Group
Dr. Bharath Kumar Kakkireni, 34, is the Chairman & CEO of KBK Group, a diversified conglomerate with ventures in technology, healthcare, media, real estate, hospitality, and more. Renowned for his visionary leadership and commitment to innovation, he has driven KBK Group’s success and global expansion. A dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Kakkireni actively supports community welfare through initiatives like free medical camps and educational support, making a profound impact on industries and society.
Alakh Pandey, Founder of PhysicsWallah
Alakh Pandey began his career teaching in coaching institutes before launching his successful YouTube channel, which laid the foundation for his EdTech company, Physics Wallah Private Limited, headquartered in Noida, Delhi. When the institute was first established, it attracted around ten thousand students in the initial month.
Physics Wallah became the country’s 101st unicorn startup. The company received $100 million in funding from Westbridge Capital and GSV Ventures, raising its value to $1.1 billion. Today, Physics Wallah has a large following of 8 million subscribers on YouTube. Unlike other EdTech companies like Byjus, Unacademy, and Vedantu, which are still losing money, Physics Wallah has managed to become profitable. The journey from being a YouTube channel to a unicorn startup worth $1.1 billion in just a few years is a remarkable achievement for the company. A key factor in Physics Wallah’s success is its affordable fees paired with high-quality education.
Kunal Shah, Founder of Cred
Kunal Shah is an Indian entrepreneur known for launching multiple ventures. A dropout from Mumbai’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Shah initially founded PaisaBack, a cashback and promotional discount platform for retailers. However, he shut down PaisaBack to co-found FreeCharge with Sandeep Tandon in August 2010. FreeCharge was acquired by Snapdeal in April 2015 but continued to operate independently under Shah’s leadership until he left in October 2016. Later, in July 2017, Axis Bank acquired FreeCharge. Shah’s return to entrepreneurship occurred a little over two years after his departure from FreeCharge.