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In a remarkable testament to India’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, the recently launched Hurun India Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024 Edition, in partnership with IDFC FIRST Private Banking, highlights the age diversity and innovation that they define the country’s business ecosystem.
The list celebrates the achievements of nearly 400 founders of 200 companies, revealing an impressive age spectrum, with the youngest entrepreneur just 21 and the oldest at 81, spanning a gap of 60 years.
At the forefront of younger entrepreneurs is Kaivalya Vohra, the 21-year-old founder of Zepto, an express grocery delivery service that has transformed e-commerce in India. Founded in 2021, Zepto caters to the growing demand for fast and reliable grocery deliveries, becoming a household name in urban India. Vohra is joined by his 22-year-old co-founder, Aadit Palicha, making Zepto a symbol of youth-driven innovation.
At the other end of the spectrum is Ashok Soota, 81, the founder of Happiest Minds Technologies, which he established in 2011 after a successful stint as executive chairman of Mindtree. Happiest Minds focuses on digital transformation services, and Soota’s leadership continues to inspire, proving that age is no barrier to business success.
Top 10 Youngest Self-Made Entrepreneurs (2024)
| RANGE | FOUNDER | COMPANY NAME | AGE | FOUNDATION YEAR | HQ |
|
1 |
Kaivalya Vohra |
Zepto |
21 |
2021 |
Bombay |
|
2 |
Aadit Palicha |
Zepto |
22 |
2021 |
Bombay |
|
3 |
Shashvat Nakrani |
BharatPe |
26 |
2018 |
New Delhi |
|
4 |
Dilsher Malhi |
Soup |
28 |
2018 |
New Delhi |
|
4 |
Karan Mehta |
from whom |
28 |
2015 |
Bombay |
|
6 |
Siddhant Saurabh |
Soup |
29 |
2018 |
New Delhi |
|
7 |
Ritesh Agarwal |
Oi |
30 |
2012 |
Gurugram |
|
8 |
Rajan Bajaj |
to cut |
31 |
2016 |
Guwahati |
|
8 |
Ankush Sachdeva |
share chat |
31 |
2015 |
bangalore |
|
8 |
Neetish Sarda |
Smartworks |
31 |
2016 |
Gurugram |
Top 10 Oldest Self-Made Entrepreneurs (2024)
| RANGE | FOUNDATIONS | COMPANY NAME | AGE | FOUNDATION YEAR | HQ |
|
1 |
Ashok Soota |
Technologies from happier minds |
81 |
2011 |
bangalore |
|
2 |
Naresh Trehan |
global health |
78 |
2004 |
Gurugram |
|
3 |
Kirti Mehta |
Corona Remedies |
77 |
2004 |
Ahmedabad |
|
4 |
Shiv Prakash Mittal |
Greenpanel Industries |
75 |
2017 |
Gurugram |
|
5 |
Munuswamy Anandan |
Aptus Value Housing Finance India |
74 |
2009 |
Chennai |
|
6 |
Ashwin Desai |
Ether Industries |
73 |
2013 |
Surat |
|
7 |
Ashok Boob |
Clean science and technology |
72 |
2003 |
Pune |
|
7 |
Sajjan Bhajanka |
Star Cement |
72 |
2001 |
Calcutta |
|
7 |
Jaithirth Rao |
Home First Finance Company India |
72 |
2010 |
Bombay |
|
10 |
Devi Shetty |
Narayana Hrudayalaya |
71 |
2000 |
bangalore |
This year’s list highlights the diversity of India’s entrepreneurial talent, with Bengaluru, Mumbai and Gurugram emerging as hubs of innovation. The average age of founders is 45, and a third of them are under 40, showing the youth-driven momentum of India’s business ecosystem. Meanwhile, 33 entrepreneurs aged 60 and over underscore the enduring power of experience in shaping industries.
