Young Entrepreneurs in India
At a time when India's entrepreneurial and creative landscape is evolving at remarkable speed, a new generation of young minds is challenging conventions and creating their own paths. All under 30, these four entrepreneurs and creators are turning ideas into businesses, creativity into communities, and passion into purpose. From pastry and fashion to design and skincare, their journeys reflect the ambition, innovation and resilience of a generation determined to shape the India of tomorrow.
1. Chef Rukhmini Yerawadekar (29) | Co-founder, Mystic Flavours & Pretiola
Pastry chef and chocolatier Rukhmini Yerawadekar transforms dough and chocolate into memorable experiences. A former gymnast and ballet trainee, she brings athletic discipline and artistic precision to pastry. Trained at César Ritz College, Switzerland, Rukhmini fuses international technique with Indian warmth. With her mother, Gauri, she co-founded Mystic Flavours and launched Pretiola in 2018, overseeing everything from early-morning kneading to menu design and plating. She now shares her expertise through regular workshops and certification courses, collaborating with chefs from around the world. A Lokmat Global Sakhi awardee (2025), Rukhmini has also been recognised by Times Hospitality Icons 2024, Indian Cake Awards, Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2025 and the Lokmat Global Excellence Award held in Egypt earlier this year. She mentors aspiring bakers and champions women entrepreneurs in hospitality, continually pushing boundaries in desserts and experiential dining.
2. Sareen Shikalgar | Founder & Principal Designer, Tiny Design
For Sareen Shikalgar, design has never been about creating picture-perfect spaces. As the founder of Tiny Design, she believes every home should make everyday life easier, calmer and more meaningful. Before choosing colours, materials or furniture, she focuses on understanding the people who will live there - their routines, habits and the little moments that make a house feel like home.
An architect and interior stylist, Sareen's journey has taken her across residential interiors, film sets, celebrity campaigns and luxury weddings, experiences that have shaped her distinctive design approach. Today, through Tiny Design, she creates spaces that are not only visually beautiful but thoughtfully planned around the people who use them.
Her passion for design extends beyond client projects. Through the Tiny Art Club, she has built a community initiative that gifts complimentary art prints to strangers across India, driven by her belief that creativity and good design should be shared, not limited by access.
For Sareen, success isn't measured by how striking a space looks, but by how naturally it becomes a part of someone's everyday life. As she continues to grow Tiny Design, her vision remains simple: design spaces that don't just look aesthetic; they genuinely work for the people who live in them.
Follow her journey: @tinydesignhq
3. Aditi Shah | Founder, Eeda
Aditi Shah is redefining modern Indian fashion by blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design. As the founder of Eeda, a Varanasi-based women's wear label, she draws inspiration from the city's rich textile and handloom legacy. With a background in engineering and a deep passion for fabrics, Aditi transformed her creative vision into a brand that celebrates quiet luxury.
Through Eeda, she works with heritage textiles such as silk, tissue and handloom weaves, shaping them into effortless silhouettes designed for the modern woman. Her approach focuses on refined detailing, clean construction and timeless elegance, bringing Indian craftsmanship into an everyday luxury wardrobe.
4. Jayati Goel | Founder, Hey Teen
Jayati Goel, founder of Hey Teen, is redefining teen skincare in India. A certified cosmetic formulation expert (ADCS, UK; EDCT, India), based in Himachal Pradesh, Jayati turned a simple observation into a purpose-driven mission: teenagers were navigating skincare shelves designed primarily for adults, with little made specifically for their changing skin and needs.
Starting from scratch, she built Hey Teen, a clean, dermatologist-recommended, science-backed brand created exclusively for teens and young adults. Every formula begins with one simple question: "Is this truly safe and right for a teenager?" From the Honey Bee Lip Balm to the Hydra Glow Face Wash, Jayati combines formulation expertise with a deep understanding of teenage needs. Through Hey Teen, she is building a new generation of skincare rooted in science, safety, confidence and care.
