Report says 30 entrepreneurs raise $5.2b, employ over 64,000 in India
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Avendus Wealth and Hurun India on Thursday launched the inaugural edition of the Uth Series 2025 with the U30 List, celebrated 79 of India’s most dynamic young entrepreneurs aged 30 and under.
India witnessed a growing momentum of India’s startup ecosystem with an average age of 28, with the cohort collectively raising USD 5.2 billion in equity and USD 270 million in debt, while employing over 64,000 people.
The initiative recognizes both first-generation founders and next-generation business leaders helming ventures valued at $25 million and $50 million respectively.
As per the list, quick commerce pioneers Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha (both aged 22) of Zepto, and AI entrepreneur Aravind Srinivas (30) of Perplexity, lead in scale and digital influence.
The average age of the entrepreneurs featured is 28.
Mumbai tops city count with 15 entrepreneurs; Maharashtra leads states with 21. However, the list also features names from smaller cities like Salem, Phagwara, Hubballi, and Ranchi, signalling the spread of entrepreneurial activity beyond metro clusters.
In terms of institutions, BITS Pilani emerges as top launchpad with 8 alumni, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi.
Software products and services dominate with 21 founders, followed by consumer goods and financial services.
Some 66 of the 79 honourees are first-generation entrepreneurs, reflecting a surge in self-made ambition.
Women entrepreneurs like Devika Gholap (OptraSCAN) and Ananyashree Birla (Svatantra Microfin) stand out for their innovation and impact.
Zepto raised $1.95 billion, the highest equity funding among U30-led ventures, while Perplexity attracted 40 investors, the most on the list.
The U30 list marks the first of three categories in the Uth Series, which will include Under 35 and Under 40 lists, aiming to map the next-generation entrepreneurial landscape of India, it concluded.
