Avendus Wealth and Hurun India announced the U35 List 2025, the second cohort in the Avendus Uth Series, recognizing 155 exceptional young leaders making a significant impact across the Indian industry.
Apurva Sahijwani, MD & CEO, Avendus Wealth Management, said "One of the most striking aspects of India’s under 35 entrepreneurs is the scale and influence they command at such a young age. Collectively, the U35 cohort oversees enterprises valued at over USD 440 bn, employs more than 7.6 lakh professionals, and drives growth across industries from financial services to technology and education. A key highlight of the U35 list is that 76% of the members in the list are first-generation founders, reflecting India’s accelerating entrepreneurial culture.
Through the Uth Series, in partnership with Hurun India, the U35 List brings focus to 155 exceptional first and next-generation entrepreneurs. Our endeavour at Avendus Wealth Management is to engage with them and highlight that wealth management goes beyond merely managing capital. We aim to understand their aspirations, help them navigate complexity and support these leaders who are building institutions that will endure the test of time.
At Avendus Wealth Management, we have always believed in a multidimensional approach to managing wealth. Positioned within one of India’s leading financial services firms, our ability to partner with our clients – founders and promoters across life stages and business cycles has always been at the heart of the Avendus franchise. Just as this U35 cohort represents a rich mix of generations, cities and industries, our offerings span a broad spectrum, from raising growth capital, structuring credit, accessing capital markets, portfolio advisory to designing intergenerational wealth strategies. This breadth allows us to work closely with clients in supporting their broader goals.
The U35 List, the second chapter in the Uth Series 2025, celebrates these forward-thinking builders who embody scale, resilience and influence, and continue to shape the future of Indian enterprise and the broader ecosystems in which they operate."
Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder & Chief Researcher, Hurun India, said, “Globally, the early thirties, between 30 and 35, have marked the turning point for many of the world’s most influential innovators. Elon Musk was 32 when Tesla gained global traction and had already launched SpaceX; Jeff Bezos was 33 when Amazon went public, transforming global retail; Mark Zuckerberg, at 33, guided Facebook through a defining phase of international growth; and Jack Ma was 35 when Alibaba secured its first major funding round. The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India Under 35 List celebrates this defining stage – when ambition meets maturity!
As India’s demographic dividend turns into boardroom influence, the Avendus Wealth – Hurun India Under 35 List 2025 celebrates 155 outstanding entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders aged between 31 and 35. From traditional sectors to new-age industries, these young visionaries are scaling businesses and redefining India’s economic landscape. Their rise marks the next phase of India’s growth story, one where youthful ambition is translating into global leadership.
More than three-quarters of this year’s honourees are first-generation entrepreneurs, a testament to India’s deepening culture of self-made success. Bengaluru dominates the list with 54 names, well ahead of Mumbai and New Delhi, cementing its reputation as the country’s startup capital. Together, Karnataka and Maharashtra account for 56% of the cohort, underscoring the rise of new economic power clusters that continue to drive India’s entrepreneurial story.
India's economic landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a new generation of founders under 35 at the helm. These young entrepreneurs are moving beyond traditional digital sectors such as financial services and media, and are instead driving growth in real-economy areas such as agriculture, logistics, clean energy, and manufacturing. This pivot signals a fundamental shift in the country's growth story, from digital disruption to foundational industrial and social change. Nearly half of these new firms are now valued at over USD 500 mn, and a select group of ventures including PRISM (OYO), Meesho, ShareChat and OfBusiness have collectively raised over USD 7 bn, demonstrating strong investor confidence and a clear signal that capital is being directed toward the country's next wave of innovation.
The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U35 Leaders ranking shows that in India’s business landscape, youth and experience are no longer at odds. Akash Gupta, 27, of GreyOrange, tops the list with 15 years in robotics, followed by Raheel Shah of BDR Pharmaceuticals with over 14 years of experience. The ranking highlights a generation combining early ambition with seasoned expertise.
The strong IIT presence on the U35 List underscores how India’s premier universities remain the backbone of its startup economy. With 10 entrepreneurs each from IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur and 9 from IIT Bombay, and over a third of the list comprising IIT graduates, these institutions continue to shape next generation of business builders.
The Avendus Wealth – Hurun India U35 leaders have built companies that together employ over 7,67,000 people, embedding digital-first thinking at the heart of India’s largest employer brands. Their impact goes beyond job creation; they are shaping how India works, competes and grows in a technology-driven economy.
The most exciting takeaway is the maturity, social consciousness, and capital efficiency this age group brings to the table proving that India’s under 35 founders are no longer just disruptors, but architects of enduring institutions. By spotlighting these stories, we aim to inspire even more young people to dream audaciously and build impactfully. I am grateful to partner with Avendus Wealth for this initiative; together, we hope to amplify the journeys of these outstanding leaders and help fuel the next wave of India’s enterprise revolution."
About Avendus Wealth Management
Avendus Wealth Management, the wealth business of Avendus Group, manages an AUM of over USD 9 bn. Started in 2010, it caters to a wide range of clients including leading family offices, UHNIs and corporates. The diverse profile of its clients is a testimony to its ability to serve them across life stages and business cycles by crafting bespoke and differentiated solutions to grow and protect wealth. Avendus Wealth Management has been consistently recognised by reputed global platforms such as Asian Private Banker, Euromoney and The Asset Triple A.
About Avendus Group
Avendus Group is a leading financial services firm with a presence in the areas of Investment Banking, Institutional Equities, Wealth Management, Credit Solutions and Asset Management. Established in 1999 in Mumbai, India, Avendus is today present in 11 cities across India, US and Singapore. Avendus partners with the Indian entrepreneur ecosystem to provide differentiated solutions that enable clients to meet their strategic aspirations.
