India has emerged as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, producing groundbreaking startups that are reshaping industries and solving real-world problems. From edtech and fintech to e-commerce and healthtech, Indian startups are not only transforming the domestic market but also making waves on the global stage. In this article, I’ll share insights from my research on the top 20 startups in India — including their founders, headquarters, founding year, funding raised, current valuation, key sectors, and their unique impact on the Indian economy.
What Are the Top 20 Startups in India Right Now?
India’s top 20 startups include a mix of unicorns and rising disruptors across fintech, healthtech, edtech, e-commerce, and more. These companies stand out due to rapid growth, strong funding, and industry impact. From Flipkart and Zomato to Meesho and Zepto, each startup is playing a unique role in shaping India’s digital economy.
India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, with companies across industries driving innovation and setting new benchmarks. The dynamic nature of this ecosystem has drawn global attention, fostering collaborations and investments that push the boundaries of technological and economic growth. To explore this vibrant ecosystem in detail, check out our article on Startups in India: Booming Startup Ecosystem in 2025.
List of Leading Startups Fueling India’s Growth
Here’s a detailed look at the top 20 startups in India, showcasing their innovation and contribution to the Indian economy. This compilation is based on extensive research from funding data, market analysis, and company developments.
| Startup | Founders | Year | Sector | Valuation |
| Flipkart | Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal | 2007 | E-commerce | $37 Billion |
| Zomato | Deepinder Goyal, Pankaj Chaddah | 2008 | Foodtech | $12B |
| Swiggy | Nandan Reddy, Sriharsha Majety, Rahul Jaimini | 2014 | Food Delivery | $10.7B |
| Oyo Rooms | Ritesh Agarwal | 2013 | Hospitality | $9B |
| Paytm | Vijay Shekhar Sharma | 2010 | Fintech | $8B |
| Dream 11 | Harsh Jain, Bhavit Sheth | 2008 | Fantasy Gaming | $8B |
| Razorpay | Harshil Mathur, Shashank Kumar | 2014 | Fintech | $7.5B |
| Meesho | Vidit Aatrey, Sanjeev Barnwal | 2015 | Social Commerce | $5B |
| Nykaa | Falguni Nayar | Beauty & Welness | $4.7B | |
| Digit Insurance | Kamesh Goyal | 2016 | Insurance | $3.5B |
| Policy Bazaar | Yashish Dahiya, Alok Bansal, and Avaneesh Nirjar | 2012 | Insurtech | $3.5B |
| Udaan | Amod Malviya, Sujeet Kumar, and Vaibhav Gupta | 2016 | B2B E-commerce | $3.1B |
| Unacademy | Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and Hemesh Singh | 2015 | Edtech | $3.4B |
| Pharmeasy | Dharmil Sheth and Dr. Dhaval Shah | 2015 | Healthcare | $5.6B |
| Cred | Kunal Shah | 2018 | Fintech | $6.4B |
| Freshworks | Girish Mathrubootham and Shan Krishnasamy | 2010 | SaaS | $13B (IPO) |
| Urban Company | Abhiraj Bhal, Varun Khaitan, Raghav Chandra | 2014 | Home Services | $2B |
| Zepto | Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra | 2021 | Quick Commerce | $1.4B |
| Lenskart | Peyush Bansal | 2010 | Eyewear | $4.5B |
| Ola | Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati | 2010 | Mobility | $7.3B |
Flipkart
| Founders | Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Funding Raised | $7 billion |
| Current Valuation | $37 billion |
| Key Sector | E-Commerce |
Flipkart is one of India’s largest e-commerce platforms, redefining online shopping and inspiring millions of entrepreneurs.
Why it Stands out
- Customer-Centric Approach: Prioritizes user experience with easy returns, competitive pricing, and personalized recommendations.
- Diverse Product Selection: Provides a wide range of products across categories, including electronics, fashion, and groceries.
- Strong Market Presence: Competes with global giants through strategic acquisitions, exclusive brand partnerships, and festive sale events.
Zomato
| Founders | Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Funding Raised | $2.1 billion |
| Current Valuation | $12 billion |
| Key Sector | Foodtech |
Zomato, a food delivery and restaurant discovery platform, has grown to become a household name, connecting millions with their favorite eateries.
Why it Stands out
- Extensive Restaurant Network: Partners with a vast range of restaurants, from local eateries to premium dining, ensuring diverse food choices.
- Seamless User Experience: Offers an intuitive app with real-time tracking, personalized recommendations, and easy payment options.
- Innovative Business Model: Combines food delivery, restaurant discovery, and cloud kitchens to cater to varied customer needs.
- Global Presence & Expansion: Operates in multiple countries, adapting to local food cultures while maintaining service efficiency.
Swiggy
| Founders | Nandan Reddy, Sriharsha Majety, and Rahul Jaimini |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Funding Raised | $3.6 billion |
| Current Valuation | $10.7 billion |
| Key Sector | Food Delivery |
Swiggy has made food delivery seamless, offering a user-friendly platform that connects customers to restaurants with efficiency and reliability.
Why it Stands out
- Lightning-Fast Delivery: Ensures quick and efficient food delivery with optimized logistics and a vast fleet of delivery partners.
- Beyond Food Delivery: Expands services with Swiggy Instamart for grocery delivery and Swiggy Genie for on-demand parcel delivery.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Provides attractive discounts, loyalty programs like Swiggy One, and reliable customer support for a smooth experience.
- Extensive Restaurant Network: Partners with a wide range of eateries, from local favorites to premium restaurants, offering diverse cuisine choices.
OYO Rooms
| Founders | Ritesh Agarwal |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Funding Raised | $4.2 billion |
| Current Valuation | $9 billion |
| Key Sector | Hospitality |
OYO Rooms has transformed the hospitality sector in India by offering standardized and affordable hotel accommodations across the country and abroad.
Why it Stands out
- Innovative Business Model: Standardizes budget hotels by partnering with independent properties and rebranding them under OYO.
- Technology Driven Operations: Uses AI, IoT, and data analytics for dynamic pricing, customer experience enhancement, and efficient hotel management.
- Affordable & Quality Stay Options: Offers standardized, budget-friendly accommodations with consistent quality and amenities.
- Global Expansion & Market Penetration: Operates in multiple countries, adapting to local hospitality needs while maintaining brand consistency.
Digit Insurance
| Founders | Kamesh Goyal |
| Headquarters | Pune |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Funding Raised | $344 Million |
| Current Valuation | $3.5 Billion |
| Key Sector | Insurance |
Digit Insurance is a top general insurance company in India, dedicated to making insurance simple for everyone. You can easily buy or renew car, bike, travel, and other insurance plans hassle-free.
Why it Stands out
- Fully Digital Insurance Process: Provides seamless policy purchase, claims, and renewals through an easy-to-use app.
- Transparent & Hassle-Free Claims: Offers quick claim approvals with minimal documentation and a self-inspection feature.
- Wide Range of Insurance Products: Covers health, motor, travel, and home insurance with customizable plans.
Paytm
| Founders | Vijay Shekhar Sharma |
| Headquarters | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Funding Raised | $6.5 billion |
| Current Valuation | $8 billion |
| Key Sector | Fintech |
Paytm has been at the forefront of India’s digital payment revolution, offering a versatile platform for payments, ticket bookings, and financial services.
Why it Stands out
- Pioneering Digital Payments: Played a crucial role in India’s cashless revolution, especially post-demonetization, by enabling seamless digital transactions.
- Versatile Financial Services: Offers mobile wallets, UPI payments, banking, insurance, and investment options within a single platform.
- Extensive Merchant Network: Supports millions of businesses with QR-based payments, POS systems, and easy integration for small vendors.
- Financial Inclusion & Expansion: Bridges the gap between urban and rural India with easy access to digital banking and micro-loans.
Meesho
| Founders | Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Funding Raised | $1.1 billion |
| Current Valuation | $5 billion |
| Key Sector | Social Commerce |
Meesho empowers small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing a platform to sell their products directly to consumers, boosting India’s social commerce space.
Why it Stands out
- Empowering Small Businesses: Enables individuals and small entrepreneurs to start online businesses with zero investment.
- Low Cost eCommerce Model: Offers budget-friendly products by directly connecting resellers with manufacturers and suppliers.
- Seamless Social Commerce: Integrates with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, making it easy to sell and promote products.
Razorpay
| Founders | Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Funding Raised | $740 million |
| Current Valuation | $7.5 billion |
| Key Sector | Fintech |
Razorpay is revolutionizing the fintech industry with its comprehensive payment solutions for businesses, including payment gateways, loans, and subscriptions.
Why it Stands out
- Bold Payment Solutions: Supports multiple payment methods, including UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, and wallets.
- Seamless Integration: Offers easy API integration for businesses, enabling quick and secure digital transactions.
- Advanced Security & Compliance: Ensures safe payments with PCI-DSS compliance, fraud detection, and real-time monitoring.
- Scalability for All Businesses: Caters to startups, SMEs, and enterprises with customizable payment solutions and analytics-driven insights.
Nykaa
| Founders | Falguni Nayar |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Funding Raised | $370 million |
| Current Valuation | $4.7 billion |
| Key Sector | Beauty and Personal Care |
Nykaa has emerged as a leader in the beauty and personal care e-commerce space, offering a vast range of products and fostering a loyal customer base.
Why it Stands out
- Curated Quality Products: Offers a wide range of authentic beauty, skincare, and wellness products from top global and Indian brands.
- Expert Led Content & Personalization: Provides beauty tutorials, product recommendations, and AI-driven personalized shopping.
- Customer Centric Approach: Ensures easy returns, loyalty programs, and excellent customer support for a hassle-free experience.
- Strong Brand Trust & Growth: Established as a market leader with celebrity endorsements, exclusive launches, and rapid expansion.
Dream11
| Founders | Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Funding Raised | $1 billion |
| Current Valuation | $8 billion |
| Key Sector | Fantasy Gaming |
Dream11 has changed the gaming industry with its fantasy sports platform, allowing users to create teams and win rewards based on real-world matches.
Why it Stands out
- Pioneering Fantasy Sports: Introduced skill-based fantasy gaming, making it a popular entertainment and engagement platform.
- Wide Sports Coverage: Offers fantasy leagues for cricket, football, basketball, kabaddi, and more, catering to diverse sports fans.
- Seamless User Experience: Provides an intuitive app with real-time match updates, player statistics, and easy team management.
- Monetization & Rewards: Allows users to win cash prizes, participate in contests, and engage with sports like never before.
Urban Company
| Founders | Abhiraj Bhal, Varun Khaitan, and Raghav Chandra |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Funding Raised | $445 million |
| Current Valuation | $2 billion |
| Key Sector | Home Services |
Urban Company provides professional home services, from beauty treatments to appliance repairs, making life easier for millions.
Why it Stands out
- Wide Range of Home Services: Offers professional services including beauty, cleaning, repairs, and appliance maintenance.
- Verified & Skilled Professionals: Ensures high-quality service with background-verified, trained, and certified experts.
- Seamless Booking & Convenience: Provides an easy-to-use app for instant booking, scheduling, and secure online payments.
- Customer Centric Approach: Guarantees standardized pricing, service warranties, and reliable customer support.
Unacademy
| Founders | Gaurav Munjal, Roman Saini, and Hemesh Singh |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Funding Raised | $880 million |
| Current Valuation | $3.4 billion |
| Key Sector | Edtech |
Unacademy is an edtech platform offering live classes and personalized learning, catering to students preparing for competitive exams.
Why it Stands out
- Live Interactive Classes: Offers real-time learning with top educators, doubt-solving sessions, and engaging discussions.
- Comprehensive Course Offerings: Covers K-12, competitive exams (UPSC, JEE, NEET), and skill-based courses for diverse learners.
- Strong Educator Network: Features experienced teachers, industry experts, and renowned mentors for high-quality education.
- Accessible & Affordable: Provides free and premium courses, scholarships, and flexible subscription plans to reach a wider audience.
Freshworks
| Founders | Girish Mathrubootham and Shan Krishnasamy |
| Headquarters | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Funding Raised | $484 million |
| Current Valuation | $13 billion |
| Key Sector | SaaS |
Freshworks delivers SaaS-based customer engagement solutions, helping businesses streamline their operations.
Why it Stands out
- SaaS Solutions: Offers customer support, sales, marketing, and IT service management tools for businesses of all sizes.
- User-Friendly & Scalable: Provides intuitive, easy-to-integrate software with customization options for startups and enterprises.
- Cost-Effective & Flexible Pricing: Delivers enterprise-grade solutions at competitive prices with scalable subscription plans.
- Global Reach & Customer Trust: Serves businesses worldwide, earning recognition for innovation and exceptional customer service.
PharmEasy
| Founders | Dharmil Sheth and Dr. Dhaval Shah |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Funding Raised | $1.8 billion |
| Current Valuation | $5.6 billion |
| Key Sector | Healthtech |
PharmEasy is a digital health platform enabling users to order medicines and book diagnostic tests from the comfort of their homes.
Why it Stands out
- Seamless Online Pharmacy: Enables easy ordering of medicines, diagnostics, and healthcare products with doorstep delivery.
- Wide Healthcare Services: Offers lab tests, teleconsultations, and digital prescriptions for a complete health solution.
- Affordable & Discounted Pricing: Provides medicines at competitive rates with discounts, subscriptions, and cashback offers.
- Strong Network & Trust: Partners with certified pharmacies and diagnostic labs to ensure authenticity and reliability.
CRED
| Founders | Kunal Shah |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Funding Raised | $1.2 billion |
| Current Valuation | $6.4 billion |
| Key Sector | Fintech |
CRED rewards users for paying their credit card bills on time, redefining financial discipline and customer loyalty in the fintech space.
Why it Stands out
- Exclusive Rewards for Creditworthy Users: Offers premium rewards and benefits for timely credit card bill payments.
- Seamless Bill Payments: Provides a user-friendly platform for managing and paying credit card bills with reminders and insights.
- Secure & Private Transactions: Ensures high-level encryption and privacy-focused features for safe financial management.
- Premium Brand Partnerships: Collaborates with top brands to offer exclusive deals, cashback, and luxury experiences to users.
PolicyBazaar
| Founders | Yashish Dahiya, Alok Bansal, and Avaneesh Nirjar |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, Haryana |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Funding Raised | $766 million |
| Current Valuation | $3.5 billion |
| Key Sector | Fintech |
PolicyBazaar has simplified insurance shopping by offering a one-stop platform to compare and buy policies.
Why it Stands out
- Comprehensive Insurance Marketplace: Offers a wide range of policies, including health, life, motor, and travel insurance.
- Transparent Comparisons: Enables users to compare premiums, benefits, and features from multiple insurers easily.
- Digital Experience: Provides a hassle-free online process for policy purchase, renewal, and claim assistance.
- Trusted & Customer Centric: Ensures credibility with licensed advisors, secure transactions, and 24/7 customer support.
Zepto
| Founders | Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Funding Raised | $360 million |
| Current Valuation | $1.4 billion |
| Key Sector | Quick Commerce |
Zepto is a rising star in the quick commerce space, offering ultra-fast grocery delivery services that cater to urban lifestyles.
Why it Stands out
- Ultra-Fast Delivery: Promises grocery and essentials delivery within 10 minutes through a hyperlocal network.
- Efficient Dark Store Model: Operates strategically located micro-warehouses to optimize inventory and speed.
- Wide Product Selection: Offers fresh produce, daily essentials, and household items with competitive pricing.
- Seamless Customer Experience: Ensures easy ordering, secure payments, and reliable customer support for hassle-free shopping.
Lenskart
| Founders | Peyush Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi |
| Headquarters | Faridabad, Haryana |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Funding Raised | $1 billion |
| Current Valuation | $4.5 billion |
| Key Sector | Eyewear |
Lenskart is revolutionizing eyewear shopping by combining offline and online experiences, offering affordable and stylish options.
Why it Stands out
- Omnichannel Shopping Experience: Combines online convenience with offline stores for seamless eyewear purchases.
- AI-Powered Try-On & Personalization: Uses virtual try-on technology and AI-driven recommendations for the perfect fit.
- Affordable & High-Quality Eyewear: Offers stylish, durable, and budget-friendly frames, lenses, and contact lenses.
- Efficient Supply Chain & Fast Delivery: Manufactures in-house and ensures quick order fulfillment with global reach.
- Customer Centric Services: Provides free eye tests, home trials, and hassle-free returns for a smooth shopping experience.
Ola
| Founders | Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Funding Raised | $4.3 billion |
| Current Valuation | $7.3 billion |
| Key Sector | Cabs and Transportation |
Ola has transformed transportation with its ride-hailing services, catering to millions across cities and towns in India.
Why it Stands out
- Vast Mobility Network: Offers a wide range of ride options, including bikes, autos, cabs, and luxury vehicles.
- Affordable & Transparent Pricing: Provides competitive fares with multiple payment options and fare estimates upfront.
- Tech-Driven Efficiency: Uses AI for smart ride matching, route optimization, and real-time tracking.
- Sustainable Transportation: Expands electric vehicle (EV) adoption with Ola Electric and eco-friendly ride options.
- Strong Market Presence: Operates in multiple cities, catering to diverse commuting needs with reliable service.
Udaan
| Founders | Amod Malviya, Sujeet Kumar, and Vaibhav Gupta |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Funding Raised | $1.4 billion |
| Current Valuation | $3.1 billion |
| Key Sector | B2B E-commerce |
Udaan is a B2B e-commerce platform connecting manufacturers and wholesalers with retailers, simplifying supply chain processes.
Why it Stands out
- B2B Marketplace: Connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers across various industries on a single platform.
- Efficient Logistics & Supply Chain: Ensures timely delivery with a strong distribution network and warehouse infrastructure.
- Flexible Credit & Financing Solutions: Offers easy credit access to businesses, enabling smooth transactions and growth.
- Affordable & Scalable Solutions: Helps small and medium businesses access bulk products at competitive prices with minimal overhead costs.
Conclusion: India’s Startup Momentum Is Just Beginning
India’s startup ecosystem is a testament to the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset. The top 20 startups in India listed above are not only driving economic growth but also solving real-world problems and improving lives. As these companies continue to evolve, they are setting new standards and inspiring the next wave of tech innovation.
Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in the startup world, keeping an eye on these companies will give you valuable insights into the future of business and technology in India.
