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HomeNewsMarketsEquityMeet India’s youngest entrepreneurs behind billion-dollar unicorn startups

Meet India’s youngest entrepreneurs behind billion-dollar unicorn startups

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 look at the youngest startup founders powering unicorns, gazelles, and cheetahs, according to the ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Report 2025.
Meet India’s youngest entrepreneurs behind billion-dollar unicorn startups
What 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 in the world for the number of unicorns, driven by young and ambitious founders. (Image: Canva)
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Published Sep 11, 2025 | 3:14 AM GMT-04
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What 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 look at the youngest startup founders powering unicorns, according to the ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Report 2025. (Image: Canva)


1. Kaivalya Vohra (22) – Zepto | At just 22, Kaivalya Vohra co-founded Zepto, India’s fastest-growing quick commerce startup. His journey makes him one of the youngest unicorn founders globally, redefining how urban India shops for essentials.


2. Aadit Palicha (22) – Zepto | Alongside his co-founder, Aadit Palicha has also entered the record books at 22. Together, the duo scaled Zepto into a billion-dollar unicorn, disrupting India’s e-commerce market with ultra-fast delivery services.


3. Shashvat Nakrani (26) – BharatPe | Shashvat Nakrani co-founded BharatPe, a fintech unicorn that transformed digital payments for small businesses. At just 26, his story highlights how India’s young innovators are powering financial inclusion at scale. (Image: Shashvat Nakrani X)


4. Ritesh Agarwal (31) – PRISM (OYO) | Ritesh Agarwal, the founder of OYO Rooms, has consistently been among India’s most prominent entrepreneurs. At 31, his new venture PRISM (OYO) continues his unicorn-building journey, showcasing resilience and adaptability in the hospitality-tech space. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
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