India’s Top Entrepreneurs in 2025 – Self-Made

February 5, 2025

India has seen many self made entrepreneurs who have disrupted industries and created wealth. These individuals have shown resilience, innovation and strategic thinking and are role models for aspiring business leaders. Below is a look at the india’s biggest self made entrepreneur and their contributions. Below is a look at the top self-made entrepreneurs in India and their contributions. Our article is based on Hurun India’s list of the Top 10 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024.

#1. Radhakishan Damani (Avenue Supermarts) – India’s Top Entrepreneur

Radhakishan Damani is a veteran investor and businessman and founder of Avenue Supermarts, and top Entrepreneur in India. His company runs the retail chain DMart which is known for its cost effective model and value pricing. Damani founded DMart in 2002 and since its IPO in March 2017 it has become one of the largest retail companies in India. As of 2024 Avenue Supermarts has a valuation of INR 3,42,600 crore with 44% increase in value. Based in Mumbai, Damani is also a big name in the stock market and is often referred to as the mentor of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.

#2. Deepinder Goyal (Zomato)

Deepinder Goyal is the co-founder and CEO of Zomato. He has disrupted the food delivery and restaurant discovery industry in India. He started the company in 2008 as Foodiebay and rebranded it as Zomato in 2010. The company went public in July 2021 which was one of the biggest tech IPOs in India. As of 2024, Zomato is valued at INR 2,51,900 crore with 190% increase in value. Based in Gurugram Zomato has expanded beyond India and serves multiple international markets. Goyal’s leadership has been instrumental in the company’s journey from being a restaurant aggregator to a full fledged food delivery and quick commerce giant.

#3. Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy (Swiggy)

Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy founded Swiggy in 2014 and today it’s one of India’s largest food delivery platforms. The company has grown exponentially and expanded into groceries and hyperlocal deliveries. Swiggy’s focus on logistics and customer centricity has helped it reach a valuation of INR 1,01,300 crores in 2024 with a 52% growth. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Swiggy has introduced Swiggy Instamart for grocery delivery and Swiggy One, a membership program. Under Majety’s leadership Swiggy has become a household name and is competing head to head with Zomato in the food-tech space in India.

#4. Deep Kalra, Rajesh Magow (MakeMyTrip)

Deep Kalra and Rajesh Magow founded MakeMyTrip in 2000 and are the pioneers of India’s online travel industry. Initially they focused on flight bookings for Indian travellers going abroad and later expanded into domestic travel, hotels and holiday packages. MakeMyTrip went public on NASDAQ in 2010 and was one of the first Indian internet based company to do so. By 2024, the company is valued at INR 99,300 crores with a 168% growth. Based in Gurugram, MakeMyTrip is still India’s largest travel platform. Kalra’s vision and Magow’s execution have been key to the company’s success in adapting to changing consumer trends and travel needs.

#5. Abhay Soi (Max Healthcare Institute)

Abhay Soi is the chairman and managing director of Max Healthcare, one of India’s largest private healthcare providers. Under his leadership the hospital chain has grown exponentially and is focused on latest medical technologies and patient care. Max Healthcare has grown to a valuation of INR 96,100 crore in 2024 with a 75% growth. Based in New Delhi, the company has a network of hospitals across the country. Soi’s expertise in healthcare management has made Max Healthcare a leader in India’s growing healthcare space.

#6. Yashish Dahiya, Alok Bansal (PolicyBazaar)

Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal founded PolicyBazaar in 2008 and changed the face of insurance and financial services in India. The company simplifies insurance comparisons and purchases and makes financial security more accessible. PolicyBazaar went public in 2021 and has strengthened its presence in the market. As of 2024 it is valued at INR 78,600 crore with a 128% growth. Based in Gurugram, the company has expanded into lending and investment products. Dahiya’s leadership and deep industry knowledge has been instrumental in PolicyBazaar’s success.

#7. Bhavit Sheth, Harsh Jain (Dream11)

Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain founded Dream11 in 2008 and introduced fantasy sports to India. The platform became extremely popular especially with the rise of Indian Premier League (IPL). By 2024 Dream11 is valued at INR 66,500 crore. Based in Mumbai, it is the leader in fantasy sports with millions of active users. Sheth and Jain have navigated regulatory challenges and expanded Dream11 beyond cricket to football, basketball and more.

#8. Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha)

Nithin and Nikhil Kamath launched Zerodha in 2010 and disrupted the Indian brokerage industry with zero-commission trading. They have democratized investing and made stock market participation easier for retail investors. As of 2024, Zerodha is worth INR 64,800 crore with a 28% growth. Based in Bengaluru, Zerodha has introduced Varsity, an educational platform for investors and Coin, a direct mutual fund investment service. The Kamath brothers are leading the fintech revolution in India.

#9. Harshil Mathur, Shashank Kumar (Razorpay)

Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar co-founded Razorpay in 2014 and provided payment solutions for businesses. The company has grown to become a fintech leader offering payment gateways, banking solutions and credit lines for businesses. As of 2024, Razorpay is worth INR 62,400 crore. Based in Bengaluru, Razorpay has enabled digital transactions across India and has been a growth engine for the digital economy.

#10. Falguni Nayar (Nykaa)

Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker, founded Nykaa in 2012 and transformed the Indian beauty and lifestyle industry. The platform offers a wide range of beauty, wellness and fashion products. Nykaa went public in 2021 and Falguni Nayar is one of India’s richest self-made women. As of 2024, Nykaa is worth INR 56,600 crore with a 30% growth. Based in Mumbai, Nykaa is expanding and introducing new brands and services for Indian consumers.

Conclusion

India’s top entrepreneurs have rewritten the economic map of the country. Their stories show us the power of vision, grit and execution. As India’s startup ecosystem grows, these self made entrepreneurs are the role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs. They have not only changed industries but also created jobs and driven technology. The changing business landscape in India offers new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to follow in their footsteps and go global.

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