National Startup Day 2026: 12 Indian Founders Rewriting the Rules of Innovation

In a world filled with filters, fake check-ins, and carefully staged moments, Jitin Bhatia chose a different path. Instead of chasing algorithms or trends, he questioned the very system that rewards appearances over experience. What emerged was Explurger-an app built to celebrate the urge to explore and experience the world, not just scroll through it. Explurger values presence over performance. It reflects a deeper shift in thinking-towards honesty, meaningful innovation, and long-term impact. Today, Explurger brings together over 19 million explorers across 75 countries and works with hundreds of global brands that believe authentic engagement matters. Under Jitin Bhatia’s leadership, the idea of curated travel is being rethought-made more honest, more human.

2. Richa Gangani, A Wellness leader, Nutrition expert.

Richa Gangani is a renowned Nutrition Expert and Wellness Coach who has guided over 50,000 individuals toward healthier, stronger lives. Known for her science-backed and practical approach, she focuses on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than extreme diets. Her programs have helped people naturally manage PCOS, thyroid issues, diabetes, fatty liver, high cholesterol, and stubborn weight. With a clear, honest, and balanced philosophy, Richa empowers clients to enjoy real food while building lifelong habits. Her mission remains constant: to make holistic wellness accessible, achievable, and inspiring for everyone.

3. Bhawna Sharma, Founder, PodQuest AI

PodQuest AI, founded by podcaster, multilingual singer, and entrepreneur Bhawna Sharma, PodQuest AI transforms YouTube podcasting into a strategic brand growth engine through meaningful conversations and AI-backed content intelligence. Bhawna's global impact earned her the Best Podcaster – Voice of the Year award at LIFA Awards Dubai, recognizing her voice-driven storytelling across cultures and industries. The platform addresses a critical gap-helping brands leverage podcasts beyond vanity metrics. Through podcast-based features, creator discovery, content planning, and AI-driven insights, PodQuest AI positions conversations as credibility-building assets. As podcasts become essential for thought leadership, PodQuest AI represents a new wave of Indian startups: content-first, voice-driven, and globally scalable-shaping the future of podcast-powered brand visibility.

4. Mr. Santosh Kumar Sahu, Cofounder & CEO, Gogreen Warehouses Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Santosh Kumar Sahu is the Cofounder & CEO of Gogreen Warehouses Pvt. Ltd., a rapidly expanding infrastructure and agri-logistics company transforming India’s agricultural supply chain. With a pan-India presence across ports, railheads, and hinterland locations, Gogreen delivers integrated inspection, commodity audit, and warehouse receipt financing services for major agri-commodities such as rice, maize, pulses, and sugar. Accredited with NABL labs and partnered with global assaying firms, the company handles over 3.5 million tonnes of cargo worth approximately ₹10,000 crore monthly. Backed by a 1600+ workforce and operations across 25 states, Gogreen drives quality, compliance, and sustainable growth across the agri value chain.

5. Ambuj Saxena, Co-Founder, Social Buzz

National Startup Day 2026 spotlights Social Buzz's remarkable 10-year odyssey, ignited by Ambuj Saxena's visionary spark in January 2016 from humble South Delhi beginnings, where talent naturally rallied around his passion. Serving over 250 diverse clients, this powerhouse has revolutionized personal branding through razor-sharp LinkedIn strategies, AI-enhanced content narratives, and viral campaigns that propel founders to thought leadership stardom. Ambuj, a MICA alumnus, World Bank trainer, and insightful podcaster, has personally mentored more than 50 professionals, nurturing the next wave of marketing innovators. Their enduring impact proves startups thrive on grit and expertise.

6. Anupama Dalmia, Founder & Chief Mentor, Beyond the Box

Anupama Dalmia is redefining innovation in education by reimagining how children learn to think, communicate, and create. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and writer, she is the founder of Beyond The Box (BTB), through which she has mentored over 13,000 children and teenagers across India and abroad. Her child-centric, imagination-led pedagogy has been adopted by leading schools, offering an alternative to rote learning. She is a recipient of the Karmaveer Chakra Platinum Award, the SheThePeople Digital Women Award 2024 (Impact), and the Woman Leadership in Education Award 2025 at the global LEAP Awards by the London School of Digital Business. As National President of the WICCI Holistic Child Development Council, she champions youth creativity and holistic development nationwide.

7. Ritu Khanna - Founder & CEO, Perenne Cosmetics

In an industry often driven by quick fixes and exaggerated promises, Ritu Khanna chose to slow down and rebuild skincare from first principles. With Perenne Cosmetics, she set out to challenge the notion that skincare must be aggressive to be effective. Rooted in clean formulations, scientific actives, and skin-respecting routines, Perenne reflects Ritu’s belief that long-term skin health matters more than instant results. She identified a gap in the Indian market where consumers sought honesty, transparency, and products that truly support the skin barrier. Over nine years, Perenne has grown into a trusted name in conscious personal care, redefining how Indian consumers think about skincare - not as correction, but as care. Ritu Khanna’s journey represents a new wave of founders building brands with integrity, purpose, and lasting impact.

8. Ashutosh Mishra, Founder & CEO, kPaisa

Ashutosh Mishra, kPaisa's Founder & CEO, is an ET 40 Under 40 recognized fintech innovator. He's dedicated to expanding financial access for India’s next billion, combining strong technical (TCET) and strategic (NMIMS) expertise. Mishra leads kPaisa, a rapidly growing platform democratizing credit, investments, and financial literacy, particularly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 India.

Launched June 2023, kPaisa quickly onboarded over 5.5 lakh organic users. The platform offers easy access to lending, mutual funds, digital gold, P2P investments, and kLearn, a gamified financial education module tailored for first-time users. In its first year, kPaisa enabled ₹14 crore investments and disbursed over 3,700 loans, covering 9,000+ PIN codes. Ashutosh’s mission is to simplify finance and drive inclusive economic empowerment truly nationwide.

9. Sunil Nazare, Co-Founder, Director, ’The Pittch

With over two decades in event management, Sunil has seen it all well, almost! His sharp eye for detail and forthright communication makes him a crisis-handling virtuoso and people’s person respectively. After honing his craft at India’s premier event management companies for over 2 decades, Sunil brings unmatched leadership and trustful mentorship to every event. Beyond his professional prowess, Sunil is passionate about Bollywood, especially films starring a certain superstar of the millennium (you know who). He's also a fervent fan of live sports, particularly football, and the legendary Brazilian Ronaldo. Sunil’s seasoned approach, dynamic personality, and knack for seamless execution makes him the go-to guy for unforgettable events of any size.

10. Jayveer Kochhar, Founder, Respirascan

Jayveer Kochhar’s ( Founder -17yrs )startup project Respirascan addresses a critical healthcare gap in India enabling early detection of spinal and respiratory disorders. Designed as a low cost wearable, the device tracks subtle breathing and chest motion patterns to identify conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis before irreversible disability occurs. Respirascan has been tested on 84 individuals in collaboration with Dr Amit Joshi, healthcare experts & institutions, and early versions have been distributed to NGOs for pilot use in community health settings. Utility patent granted 577998-A, the project is a health technology startup focused on accessible diagnostics. Respirascan  is set to be launched as a startup nationwide and demonstrates how frugal innovation can improve health outcomes while strengthening social and economic resilience.

11. Shreya Sharma- Founder & CEO, Rest The Case

National Startup Day 2026 represents a powerful shift in how Indian startups are being built. Today, founders are focused on solving real problems through execution, responsibility, and long-term thinking. Across sectors like AI, D2C, fintech, health tech, climate tech, and especially legal tech, startups are redefining how essential services are delivered. In legal tech, I am trying to simplify the legal ecosystem by improving access to justice, strengthening compliance, and bringing transparency to processes that have traditionally been complex and intimidating. What defines this generation of founders is the courage to question outdated structures and build systems that truly serve people. Indian entrepreneurs are no longer just creating products they are reshaping industries and transforming how individuals and businesses engage with critical services.

12. Moushumi Pal, Founder, Woodpecker Media

Moushumi Pal is a renowned Marketing consultant and coach  recognized for her expertise in strategic communication, personal branding, and business development. As Founder  of Woodpecker Media, she partners with credible clients across industries, helping leaders and enterprises craft authentic narratives, elevate visibility, and drive sustainable growth across multiple media channels . A postgraduate from Jadavpur University, Moushumi is an **alumna of IIM Bangalore’s prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program bringing a rare combination of strategic insight and practical execution. Her hands-on mentorship and finesse to envision long term goals enable  brands , small business owners and entrepreneurs to build trusted, high-impact brands with clarity, credibility, and long-term vision.

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