India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing a new wave of innovation, led by some of the world’s youngest unicorn founders. From quick commerce to fintech, these under-35 entrepreneurs are redefining business at scale. Here’s a view at the youngest startup founders powering unicorns, gazelles, and cheetahs, according to the ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Report 2025.
1 / 6What is a unicorn startup? | A unicorn startup is a privately held company valued at over $1 billion. The term was coined in 2013 to represent the rarity of such ventures. India today ranks among the top countries for the number of unicorns, driven by young and ambitious founders. Here’s a view at the youngest startup founders powering unicorns, according to the ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Report 2025. (Image: Canva)
2 / 61. Kaivalya Vohra (22) – Zepto | At just 22, Kaivalya Vohra co-founded Zepto in 2021, which is now valued at $5.9 billion. The quick-commerce startup, which reported 120% revenue growth, is backed by marquee investors such as Nexus Ventures, Y Combinator, and Breyer Capital. His journey creates him one of the youngest unicorn founders globally, redefining how urban India shops for essentials.
3 / 62. Aadit Palicha (22) – Zepto | Also 22, Aadit Palicha is the co-founder of Zepto. With $2.5 billion in funding, Zepto has disrupted India’s e-commerce landscape.
4 / 63. Shashvat Nakrani (26) – BharatPe | At 26, Shashvat Nakrani co-founded BharatPe in 2018, now valued at $2.9 billion. The fintech unicorn empowers millions of compact merchants with digital payments and has backing from Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India). His story highlights how India’s young innovators are powering financial inclusion at scale. (Image: Shashvat Nakrani X)
5 / 64. Ritesh Agarwal (31) – PRISM (OYO) | At 31, Ritesh Agarwal continues to lead PRISM (formerly OYO), founded in 2013 and currently valued at $5 billion. Having raised $3.7 billion from global investors like SoftBank, Peak XV Partners, and Lightspeed, Agarwal remains one of India’s most influential unicorn entrepreneurs. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
6 / 6Young entrepreneurs behind India’s future unicorns | The Hurun 2025 report also spotlights young founders driving soon-to-be unicorns. Leaders like Yash Banwani (30) and Keertay Agarwal (31) of Seekho, Anand Agrawal (30) and Rishabh Goel (31) of Credgenics, and Misbah Ashraf (31) of Jar are building high-growth ventures in edtech, fintech, and consumer tech—displaycasing the next wave of billion-dollar potential. (Image: Shutterstock)
