Zepto co-founder Kaivalya Vohra leads Avendus-Hurun India list of Under-30 entrepreneurs
ADVERTISEMENT The Under-30 list recognises startup founders under the age of 30 across a range of sectors, from software services and healthcare to logistics and consumer goods. Among those featured are AVR Shree Smaran of AVR Swarna Mahal Jewellers, Arjun Deshpande of Generic Aadhaar, Shiva Sankeshwar of Vijayanand Travels, Rahul Rawat of space tech company Digantara, and Mihir Menda of RMZ Boston.
Other names include co-founders of 10-minute grocery delivery app Swish, Ujjwal Sukheja, Saran S, and Aniket Shah, highlighting sustained investor interest in quick commerce despite operational headwinds.
'This is the inaugural edition of the Uth Series, which will further see Under-35 and Under-40 lists too,' said Apurva Sahijwani, Managing Director & CEO, Avendus Wealth Management. 'We begin this initiative with the Under-30 List, which highlights some of the country's most promising and youngest leaders. These entrepreneurs are building high-impact ventures and challenging conventional paths to success.'Only six women entrepreneurs feature in this edition, including Devanshi Kejriwal, Radhika Ambani, Ananya Birla, Vrushali Prasade, and Romita Mazumdar, working across AI healthcare, edtech, pharmaceuticals, microfinance, marketing tech, and beauty. Devika Gholap, 28, is the youngest woman in the cohort and is 'driving innovation in digital pathology via OptraSCAN.'Software Products & Services emerged as the most represented sector with 21 entrepreneurs, with ventures such as Perplexity, Zupee, and Pixis. Consumer Goods followed with 12 entrepreneurs, while Financial Services contributed 9, including leaders from BharatPe and Svatantra Microfin.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mumbai led the city-wise tally with 15 entrepreneurs, reaffirming its position as India's financial hub. Bengaluru followed with 14 and Gurugram with 7.
According to the report, the entrepreneurs featured have collectively raised more than $5 billion in equity and $270 million in startup debt. Their companies have created over 64,000 jobs, underlining the economic contribution of the youth-led startup ecosystem. Beyond capital raised, the list recognises founders for building ventures with 'social relevance, innovation, and sustainable growth.'
ADVERTISEMENT 'One of the most striking shifts we've seen in recent years is the changing face of entrepreneurship in India. Today's founders are starting earlier, scaling faster and bringing a global perspective to everything they do. In the process, they are transforming industries and expanding India's presence on the world stage,' Sahijwani said.
Also read | MobiKwik shares down 61% from peak, charts hint at upside till Rs 300. Should you buy?
ADVERTISEMENT
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
(You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
23 minutes ago
- The Wire
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® UNVEILS NEARLY 500 VOYAGES WORLDWIDE DURING PEAK 2027 TRAVEL SEASON
NCL to deploy eight ships in Europe including Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, with 10 embarkation ports, multiple overnight stays & late night departures. With an Expanded Focus on Seven-Day Voyages and Weekend Departures, NCL Delivers Guests MORE Opportunities and Easy Access to Explore the World. MUMBAI (28 July 2025) - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 58-year history of breaking boundaries, has revealed its Northern Hemisphere spring/summer 2027 deployment – allowing travellers to get ahead on planning their ideal holiday. The season features nearly 500 individual voyages across 20 ships, departing from nearly 30 of the world's top homeports, including Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Southampton, England; Helsinki, Finland; Istanbul, Turkey; Copenhagen, Denmark and Reykjavik, Iceland. From April through October 2027, NCL's spectacular fleet of ships will call to over 150 unique ports across 59 countries delivering immersive itineraries with MORE time in port, including over 170 overnight stays in the most sought-after destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Copenhagen, Denmark. Whether planning a quick escape or longer adventure, the newly opened deployment delivers MORE opportunities for guests to make the most out of the prime travel season. 'With our most expansive deployment yet, we're giving Indian guests even more ways to explore the world—with itineraries now open from 2025 through 2027,' said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director of NCL APAC. 'From more ways to enjoy an exhilarating Alaska holiday to more seven-day Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings we're delivering more of what matters to our guests: longer port stays, more overnight calls, more value and greater flexibility to create the perfect cruise holiday.' 'We're proud to be the cruise line of choice for travelers who want MORE out of their vacation – MORE freedom, MORE destinations and MORE unforgettable experiences,' said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. 'Our spring and summer 2027 deployment clearly brings our promise to life, offering something for everyone. Whether guests are hopping between European cities nearly every day, taking in Alaska's natural beauty from ships custom-built to bring the outdoors in, or kicking back on the beach with family and friends at one of our two resort-style destinations, there's no shortage of ways to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories.' Itinerary highlights from NCL's Northern Hemisphere spring/summer 2027 deployment include: EXPLORE EUROPE WITH MORE SEVEN-DAY VOYAGES, OVERNIGHTS & LATE DEPARTURES NCL will deploy eight ships, including some of the brand's newest and recently renovated vessels, across Europe. Offering mostly seven-day itineraries that begin and end on weekends, guests have the option to sail from 10 popular embarkation ports, including Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and Reykjavik, Iceland. These port-intensive voyages spend over 90% of their time in port with an average stay of nearly 11 hours and feature multiple overnight stays in cities like Istanbul, Turkey; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Hamburg, Germany, as well as late-night departures from favourites like Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Ibiza, Spain, giving guests MORE time to explore Europe's most captivating destinations. In spring/summer 2027, Norwegian Prima® and Norwegian Viva® will return to European waters offering a variety of nine-to-11-day voyages across the continent. Norwegian Viva will sail the Western Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries from June through October from four different homeports: Istanbul, Turkey; Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia) and Ravenna (Venice), Italy. Meanwhile, Norwegian Prima will offer Mediterranean voyages, featuring maiden calls to Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia and Kotor, Montenegro. For the majority of the summer, she will make her return to Northern Europe to operate guest-favorite open-jaw voyages to Iceland and Norway, departing from Southampton, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. In September and October 2027, Norwegian Prima will close out her Europe season with three Baltic open-jaw sailings, which will also mark her inaugural turnaround in Helsinki, Finland and her maiden call in Riga, Latvia. In addition to its newer and larger ships, NCL strategically deploys its mid-size ships to the region to deliver more intimate, destination-focused voyages allowing guests to explore must-see and lesser-known ports with ease. Aboard Norwegian Sun®, travellers can sail seven-day, port-intensive Mediterranean itineraries with no sea days between May and August 2027 departing for the first time from Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna), Italy. These open-jaw sailings include maiden calls to historic bucket list ports including Corfu, Greece. Moreover, Norwegian Jewel® will return to Europe for a full season for the first time in over a decade, offering seven- and nine-day Baltic voyages between Copenhagen, Denmark and Helsinki featuring first-time visits to Klaipeda, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Gdynia, Poland - ideal for guests seeking to dive into cities that boast Medieval architecture and history as well as modern art, design and culture in Northern Europe. Rounding out the season, Norwegian Epic® will offer NCL's ever-popular seven-day Western Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, Spain and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy from May through October 2027, providing travellers the opportunity to explore each destination pre- or post-cruise for an extended vacation. Norwegian Dawn® will also offer scenic open-jaw sailings from May through October 2027 between Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal, providing even more ways to experience the best of Southern Europe by sea. MORE WAYS TO ENJOY ALASKA ABOARD SHIPS CUSTOM-BUILT FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS With the global rise of 'coolcations,' holidays to cooler climates, Alaska is the prime destination to experience an exhilarating holiday. Commencing in late April, NCL's Alaska season sets sail from Seattle; Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia aboard Norwegian Encore®, Norwegian Bliss® and Norwegian Joy®, each of which were custom-built for the destination with expansive outdoor and indoor spaces to marvel at the natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and the area's rich wildlife as well as Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy will sail seven-day voyages departing each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Seattle's Pier 66. Furthermore, Norwegian Joy will offer longer and more immersive nine- and 10-day voyages from mid-May to mid-June as well as end of August to end of September. Beginning 10 May 2027 through 20 Sept. 2027, Norwegian Jade® will cruise a series of seven-day open-jaw sailings between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska and feature iconic scenic cruising along Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay on each voyage. Guests aiming to immerse themselves even more in the 'Last Frontier' can add an NCL Cruisetour to their reservation and explore the majestic Denali National Park, take a scenic ride on the historic tracks of the Alaska Railroad or fish halibut and salmon in the cold waters of Kachemak Bay. GUEST FAVOURITE NORWEGIAN SPIRIT TO OFFER EXTENDED SOUTH PACIFIC SEASON Following her 2026/2027 summer season in Australia and New Zealand, Norwegian Spirit® will remain in the Pacific through December 2027, offering a diverse range of open-jaw voyages across Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii and Alaska. The ship will homeport in Sydney, Australia; Lautoka, Fiji; Papeete, French Polynesia and Honolulu, and sailing a total of 11 immersive itineraries across the region. Norwegian Spirit will offer an expansive South Pacific season with a choice of 11- to 13-day voyages, calling to exotic destinations such as New Caledonia, Fiji, the Samoan Islands, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands. MORE SHORT ESCAPES AND ISLAND-FILLED ADVENTURES WITH THREE- TO 11-DAY CRUISES TO THE CARIBBEAN, BAHAMAS & BERMUDA A standout feature of NCL's Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries is a visit to the company's private island destinations Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's top-rated port in the Bahamas, and Harvest Caye in Belize. Both islands are featured on nearly every voyage during the spring/summer 2027 season. These destinations deliver a picture-perfect beach experience, complete with pristine shores and turquoise waters, while offering guests even MORE ways to create lasting memories through unique shore excursions and curated island offerings. Beginning in late 2025, Great Stirrup Cay will debut a series of enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience, including a new multi-ship pier that ensures guaranteed access to the island; a convenient tram service for ease; an oversized heated pool perfect for relaxing under the sun; as well as the extension of popular onboard experiences ashore, such as an adult-only retreat with private cabanas, and Horizon Park, a family-friendly recreation area with lawn games and gathering spaces. These updates to NCL's private island come as it's expanding its Caribbean and Bahamas deployment for the spring/summer 2027 season. Guests will have eight ships to choose from including some of the Company's newest, Norwegian AquaTM and Norwegian Viva®, as well as easy access with embarkation ports across Florida. Another popular island destination best enjoyed during the spring and summer is Bermuda, with voyages departing from Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. In 2027, three NCL ships will sail to Bermuda as part of the cruise line's seven-month season, including Norwegian Breakaway®, Norwegian Pearl® and to-soon-be the Company's newest ship – Norwegian Luna®. Running from April through October, guests will have MORE opportunities than ever to experience the island's pink sand beaches, historical sites and lush green golf courses through overnights at the Royal Naval Dockyard on each sailing. Moreover, both Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Pearl will sail Canada & New England itineraries from 29 Aug 2027 to 17 Oct. 2027 calling to the most picturesque ports, including Charlottetown, Canada and Quebec City. Onboard these voyages, guests can savor the picturesque scenery of the Northeast tinted with the changing fall foliage, feast on fresh, local seafood delicacies and enjoy wine tastings at regional wineries and estates. In addition to the newly opened 2027 deployment, NCL cruises to nearly 350 destinations worldwide giving guests the chance to plan and book their upcoming cruise vacation well in advance. For guests looking to elevate their cruise experience, NCL's More At Sea™ is a must. Available across the whole fleet, this all-in-one offering delivers incredible value and includes unlimited premium beverages with brands such as Casamigos Tequila, Woodford Reserve, and Grey Goose Vodka; specialty dining package; high-speed Wi-Fi minutes; and US$50 shore excursion credits at every port. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Fashion Value Chain
23 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Gifts World Expo 2025 Wraps Up on a High Note with 35,822 Visitors, Robust Business Interactions, and Industry Momentum
The curtains came down on the 28th edition of Gifts World Expo, organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., with the event concluding on an emphatic high. Spread across five expansive halls at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the three-day B2B trade show welcomed a staggering 35,822 visitors, bringing together corporate buyers, sourcing heads, retailers, institutional buyers, and entrepreneurs from every corner of India. With 650+ exhibitors, 4,000+ brands, and over 30,000 products on display, the show reaffirmed its role as the go-to sourcing hub for personal, corporate, festive, and luxury gifting segments. Gifts World Expo 2025 Wraps Up on a High Note with 35,822 Visitors, Robust Business Interactions, and Industry Momentum This year's success was driven by strong partner support. Mutha Impex came onboard as the Registration Sponsor, with BAA as the Sourcing Partner and RR Bags as the Carry Bag Sponsor. Power Plus and Castillo Milano onboarded as Lanyard Sponsors, while 6Wresearch as the Knowledge Partner for Gift Talks. The show also received support from Partner Associations including the Handloom Handicraft Exporters Welfare Association (HHEWA) and National Jute Board. Meanwhile the show also received support from Supporting Associations including Corporate Gifts Association of India (CGAI), Pen & Stationery Association of India, and the Federation of Maharashtra Stationery Manufacturers & Traders Association (FMSMTA). Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. said, 'This edition surpassed our expectations, in turnout, in energy, and in the quality of business interactions. From curated pavilions to insightful panel discussions, everything was designed to empower the industry's next phase. We've seen buyers making strategic choices, exhibitors showcasing innovations that resonate, and the ecosystem responding with fresh optimism. We thank our partners, brands, and visitors for making this an exceptional edition.' Beyond sheer scale, this year's edition made a clear statement on where the Indian gifting industry is headed. From gourmet hampers and wedding gifts to electronic gadgets & home appliances, stationery & office supplies to beauty, health and wellness gifts, the show floor reflected the market's growing appetite for differentiated, purpose-driven offerings. Key focused areas Wedding Gifts and Stationery World Pavilion stood out for drawing consistent engagement. Brands such as Abhinandans Inc., Adidas, Vinod Cookware, Brillare Life Sciences, Idea Crafts, Bugatti, Sarla Mills, EVERWEAR, Indi Colour, Pikmee, Luggero, Red Ribbons Gifting, and Veda Connection amongst others created strong traction, representing a new wave of exhibitors ready to meet India's evolving gifting demands. The Hosted Buyer Programme added further value to the show by facilitating structured meetings between pre-verified buyers and relevant exhibitors. This gave a very positive direction to the three-day event, as exhibitors ended the day with much excitement and insights. Adding to this momentum, exclusive attractions across the showfloor elevated the sourcing experience. The Start-Up & Innovation Zone introduced disruptive ideas, while the Stationery World Pavilion drew large crowds. The Sustainable Products Zone impressed with eco-conscious offerings from brands like Bio Q, 9 Cork, and Spectrus Sustainable. Meanwhile, the Trending Products Showcase and Entertainment Zone brought energy, engagement, and a touch of inspiration to the overall experience. Closing on a strong note, Day 3 of Gift Talks sparked conversations around scaling, funding, and digital evolution in the gifting industry. The session on Expanding Your Business Globally: Understanding Export Opportunities and Challenges opened up perspectives on tapping into global trade. This was followed by an engaging panel on Discussing the Role of Startups & Large Enterprises in Attracting Angel Investment, where the startup ecosystem took center stage. Wrapping up, Digital Marketing for Gifting and Stationery Businesses spotlighted how social media, SEO, and online platforms are reshaping sales and brand outreach. With the Delhi chapter drawing to a close, Gifts World Expo now heads to Bengaluru scheduled for 11-13 September 2025, with an eye on expanding industry conversations, unlocking fresh markets, and keeping India's gifting trade network dynamic and growth-oriented. Building on the momentum of Delhi, the Bengaluru edition promises extensive outreach and category innovation. Taking a significant step forward, a pivotal announcement was made during the grand opening of Gifts World Expo Delhi 2025. The organisers of Paperworld India, Corporate Gifts Show, and Gifts World Expo officially announced the merger of their exhibition portfolios. As a result, the upcoming February 2026 Mumbai edition of Gifts World Expo will witness the transformation of the long-established Corporate Gifts Show, now set to be rebranded under the Gifts World Expo umbrella. About the Organiser MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. is an international exhibition company with a strong presence of over four decades in the advertising industry, over 28 years in publishing & 23 years in exhibitions. The company has produced more than 100 market-leading trade exhibitions for various segments in addition to publishing various magazines & advertising trade directories of repute. Successful exhibitions are conducted all over India, Dubai, Singapore, Canada and Thailand. For more details, visit our website at:
Economic Times
23 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Gurugram startup intern reveals he left home, spent Rs 30,000 for dream job, only to be fired in 23 days; Internet furious
'I regret believing the founder': Intern spends Rs 30,000 to join Gurugram startup, gets sacked in just 23 days (representative image) Synopsis A young intern's dream internship in Gurugram turned into a nightmare after being abruptly dismissed within a month. The intern invested savings and relocated, lured by promises of mentorship and a full-time position. This incident has sparked a debate about whether Indian startups exploit young interns with long hours and underpaid work, only to replace them without justification. Imagine packing your bags, leaving home, spending Rs 30,000 from your savings, and heading to Gurugram for a dream internship, only to be shown the door in just 23 days. That's exactly what happened to a young intern who recently shared their story on Reddit, and now, it's gone viral. ADVERTISEMENT The Reddit user, posting under the name @Regrets_only_, revealed they had moved to Gurugram to work at a startup after being promised mentorship and a full-time job within three months. The expected salary? At least Rs 40,000 per month. But after working 10–12 hours a day, including weekends, things took a turn. The intern was suddenly told their role was no longer needed because a client had backed out. No notice. No warning. Just gone. "I was shocked... I regret believing the founder," the intern wrote, calling the entire experience a disaster. Now jobless and stuck in one of India's most competitive job markets, they're trying to figure out their next step, and they're not story hit a nerve with many online. Several people on Reddit shared similar experiences of being let down by person commented, "Same happened to me. Keep applying on LinkedIn, even if most jobs are fake, you'll get a few calls if you're consistent." ADVERTISEMENT Another advised, 'Don't lose hope. At that time, it was the best decision you could've made. Maybe ask the founder if he knows someone who's hiring.'This story has reignited an old debate, are Indian startups taking young interns for granted? Many of them work long hours, often unpaid or underpaid, only to be replaced without reason. The shiny promise of 'experience' sometimes hides a darker truth. ADVERTISEMENT Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of Reader discretion is advised. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. NEXT STORY
