Here are the leaders and brands to watch out for in 2025

India has the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, with sectors such as fintech, ecommerce, deeptech, and cleantech leading the entrepreneurial charge. Backed by increasing venture capital funding, this growth has spread from metro cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi to emerging hubs in Tier II and Tier III India.

Numerous startups are now working to address local challenges with innovative solutions - and shape the future of India. From pioneering entrepreneurs and disruptive startups to legacy brands embracing transformation, India’s entrepreneurial ecosysm is thriving.

Meet the leaders and brands redefining benchmarks through purpose-driven growth, digital innovation, and sustainable practices.

P Sanjeev, Founder and CEO, E3 Electric.Ai

P Sanjeev is the Founder of E3 Electric.Ai, a leader in next-gen electric mobility, driving India's shift to sustainable transport. An IIM Bangalore alumnus with 25+ years at automotive giants like Huawei & Greaves Electric Mobility, he combines deep expertise with transformative vision. Under his leadership, E3 Electric is revolutionizing urban mobility with smart, affordable, and locally manufactured electric three-wheelers, accelerating India’s green revolution. Sanjeev is a trailblazer committed to innovation, self-reliance, and a cleaner future, positioning India as a global leader in electric mobility.

Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO, AuthBridge

Ajay Trehan is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in scaling businesses. Inspired by the trust deficit faced by global clients in India, he founded AuthBridge in 2005, transforming it from a background screening pioneer to India’s leading provider of AI-powered identity intelligence and real-time data solutions. Under his leadership, AuthBridge embraced digital transformation, navigating challenges like the recent pandemic. Ajay also advises startups, serves on NASSCOM and TIE, and shares insights on innovation and trust infrastructure, cementing his role as a key driver of India’s trust ecosystem.

Gurtej Chawla, Director of Marketing, Innova Solutions

Gurtej Chawla, Director of Marketing at Innova Solutions, is a seasoned B2B marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience in driving impactful go-to-market strategies and brand transformation. Having worked with global organizations like IBM and Xceedance, Gurtej is known for his ability to simplify complex challenges, inspire cross-functional collaboration, and lead high-impact campaigns that fuel business growth. A firm believer in purpose-driven storytelling and agile execution, he continues to shape the future of enterprise marketing through insight-led innovation and a customer-first mindset.

Ashok Chhajer, Chairman and MD, Arihant Superstructures Ltd.

He is the visionary behind transforming urban companies with innovation and accessible housing solutions. Ashok Chhajer’s vision is based on his 20 years of diverse experience as a promoter in the real estate business.

Ashok has been confident about creating new markets as the first trend setter. The designer developer is responsible for many bespoke projects and establishing their trademark brand campaign of changing lifestyles. A proudly Made in India brand, Arihant Superstructures Ltd. is delivering excellence across 50+ projects and setting benchmarks in real estate development.His initiation in the real estate business in Navi Mumbai was in 1994; his brand is now a prominent developer in MMR and Jodhpur. Arihant truly embodies changing lifestyles, “Sach mei Kuchh Badal Raha Hai”, by crafting dreams into reality and designing sustainable living spaces that would remain fresh through the ages.

Dr Parin Somani, CEO and Director, London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD)

Dr Parin Somani is the CEO and Director of London Organisation of Skills Development (LOSD), Chief Editor of the Global Research Journal (UK), an independent academic scholar and a 3X TEDx speaker. She is also an Amazon best-selling author, humanitarian, philanthropist and winner of multiple awards. She has won multiple beauty titles, including Mrs BritAsain 2021, Mrs India 2021, Mrs Universe 2022 and Mrs Enigma World 2022. Holder of eight doctorates and author of 23 books, she champions women's empowerment, education, and youth development and has travelled to 127 countries to inspire global societies. She lives by two mottos: “to serve humanity until my last breath,” and “creating positive change by working together”.

Akhil Sharma, Founder, Algoroq.io

Tech entrepreneur and technical educator Akhil Sharma is best known as the Founder of Armur AI, a cybersecurity startup leveraging AI for continuous pentesting and code vulnerability scanning. With over 200,000 engineers trained through LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, and cohort programs, Akhil has become a voice in deeptech education. Recognizing the growing gap in post-AI engineering leadership, he recently founded Algoroq.io, a platform to upskill senior engineers in advanced system design and cloud architecture. Built by an industry practitioner for industry practitioners, Algoroq reflects Akhil’s mission to empower engineers to lead in an increasingly complex, AI-driven world.  

Manoj Jindal, Founder, Dzylo

Manoj Jindal is on a mission to bring clarity to the chaotic world of interior design and construction. Drawing from his on-site experience, he built Dzylo, a powerful SaaS platform that helps businesses manage everything from client approvals to on-site coordination. He has taken AI beyond design, using it comprehensively to automate inventory, procurement, and task management, simplifying decisions and reducing delays. Today, Dzylo empowers 2,000+ people across 5+ countries. Under Manoj’s leadership, the platform is becoming the backbone of modern design-build businesses, bridging creativity and execution for seamless project delivery across teams, timelines, and geographies.

T Vigneshwaran, Founder and CEO, Sri Nandha Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

T. Vigneshwaran is a visionary entrepreneur leading a pioneering tech enterprise focused on digital transformation across education, agriculture, and enterprise technology. Under his leadership, Sri Nandha Infotech has launched impactful platforms such as SkillRadar, an edtech solution fostering future-ready skills, and Agri247, a smart AgriTech ecosystem empowering farmers with actionable insights. His flagship innovation, Senseluto, is an IoT-based soil testing device that delivers real-time data to support informed decisions in agricultural practices. With a mission to enable intelligent digitalization, Vigneshwaran continues to build solutions that shape India's inclusive digital future.

Vidushi Vijayvergiya, CEO, ISAK Fragrances

Vidushi Vijayvergiya is reinventing her 170-year-old family legacy by blending traditional perfumery with modern strategy. Under her leadership, ISAK has brought Indian artisanal scents to the global stage, earning recognition from Shark Tank India and winning Craft Brand of the Year at the International Craft Awards. Rooted in Lucknow’s royal heritage, ISAK creates niche, hand-blended fragrances that reflect a harmony of tradition and innovation. Each scent captures the essence of Indian artistry, storytelling, and timeless elegance. With a vision grounded in sustainability and authenticity, Vidushi continues to elevate ISAK as a symbol of India’s luxurious olfactory heritage.

Ilesh Ghevariya, Founder and CEO, French Crown

Ilesh Ghevariya is the Founder and CEO of French Crown, a fast-growing D2C menswear brand delivering to 90+ countries. With roots in India’s cotton craftsmanship and the elegance of French design, French Crown began in 2017 with a mission to create the perfect shirt. Under Ilesh’s leadership, the brand has expanded into suits and built a global presence, offering sophisticated, high-quality fashion with ease and accessibility. An engineer turned MBA and entrepreneur, Ilesh blends innovation with heritage, leading a team of 500+ and redefining global fast fashion.