Nikhil Kamath, Ghazal Alagh, Ritesh Agarwal (Image: Wikimedia Commons and Twitter)
Business
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CNBC TV1821-01-2026, 19:38

India's Young Entrepreneurs: 436 Under-40 Founders Drive $950 Billion Economy

  • Avendus Wealth & Hurun India identified 436 entrepreneurs under 40, collectively managing businesses worth over $950 billion (₹83 lakh crore), exceeding Switzerland's GDP.
  • Prominent names on the Uth Series list include Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth), Alakh Pandey (Physics Wallah), Aadit Palicha (Zepto), and Vidit Aatrey (Meesho).
  • Bengaluru leads with 109 entrepreneurs, followed by Mumbai (87) and Delhi (45), highlighting India's youth entrepreneurship hubs.
  • The IIT system is a major source of talent, with IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras producing the most entrants.
  • A significant generational shift is evident, with nearly 80% (349) being first-generation entrepreneurs, though a stark gender gap persists with only 36 women on the list.

Why It Matters: Young, first-generation entrepreneurs are rapidly shaping India's economic future, driving massive wealth creation.

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