Mumbai has emerged as the leading city in India for young, successful entrepreneurs, according to the newly released Avendus-Hurun U30 India List 2025. The list, compiled by Avendus Wealth and Hurun India, recognizes 79 exceptional Indian entrepreneurs aged 30 and under who are significantly impacting the nation's business landscape.
The Avendus-Hurun U30 India List 2025 spotlights two categories of leaders: visionary first-generation founders with a business valuation of at least $25 million, and dynamic next-generation leaders with a wealth of $50 million or more. This distinction highlights the accomplishments of young leaders who are shaping the future of Indian enterprise.
Mumbai stands out with 15 young leaders on the list. Maharashtra, as a state, leads with 21 entrants. Following Mumbai, other cities with significant representation include Bengaluru, Delhi and Jaipur.
Among the notable names featured in the Avendus-Hurun U30 India List 2025 is Anant Ambani, a Director at Reliance Industries subsidiary, Jio Platforms. Ambani secured the ninth position on the list for his role in delivering "innovative and tech-driven financial solutions". The report emphasizes Jio Platforms' combination of advanced technology and financial acumen to drive growth, enhance accessibility, and uphold strong governance standards.
The co-founders of Zepto, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, both 22 years old, are also featured on the list. Zepto is known for its quick grocery deliveries and has raised significant funding.
The Avendus-Hurun U30 India List 2025 highlights the rise of self-made entrepreneurs in India. According to Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher of Hurun India, 66 out of the 79 entrepreneurs featured are first-generation founders. This trend signifies a shift in India's entrepreneurial landscape, where success is increasingly determined by innovation and determination, rather than background.
Apurva Sahijwani, MD and CEO of Avendus Wealth Management, noted the decreasing age of entrepreneurs over the years. Today's founders are starting businesses earlier, scaling them up more rapidly, and bringing a global perspective to their ventures. Sahijwani added that these young leaders are transforming industries and expanding India's presence on the global stage.
The entrepreneurs featured on the Avendus-Hurun U30 India List 2025 have collectively created over 64,000 jobs, demonstrating a shift from job-seekers to job-creators. The average age of the entrepreneurs on the list is 28, reflecting the youthful leadership driving India's future. Software products and services dominate the list, with 61% of the founders coming from this industry. Svatantra Microfin is the largest employer among the U30 cohort, with 23,289 employees. Devika Gholap, 28, is the youngest woman on the list and is driving innovation in digital pathology through OptraSCAN. Every entrepreneur in the top 10 is aged 25 or younger.
