Leading with Purpose: India‘s leading Founders Redefining Success in 2025

Ashutosh Mishra, a visionary entrepreneur and recent ET 40 Under 40 honoree, is at the forefront of India's fintech revolution. An MBA from NMIMS and a Computer Engineer from TCET, he seamlessly blends technical prowess with strategic business acumen. As Founder & CEO of kPaisa, he's building the future of finance, offering digital-first solutions that empower individuals to access, manage, and grow their money with trust and ease. Launched in June 2023, kPaisa achieved viral organic growth, scaling to over 550,000 registered users with an impressive 55-60% MoM growth and adding 1,800-2,100 users daily-all without paid acquisition. In just one year, kPaisa has disbursed 3,700+ loans and facilitated ₹14 crore in investments, maintaining an industry-low customer acquisition cost of just ₹35-40. Ashutosh's focus on financial inclusion and measurable impact is truly redefining success for India's next billion users.

2. Aayushi Bachhawat, Co-Founder of Eclat Diamonds

With a Master’s in Finance and international professional experience in the UK, Aayushi Bachhawat returned to India to pursue her lifelong passion for jewelry, co-founding Éclat Diamonds alongside her brother, Pratham Jain. Together, they envisioned a brand that would redefine luxury in India, making exquisite, high-quality diamond jewelry accessible without compromising on design or craftsmanship. Éclat Diamonds, exclusively working with lab-grown diamonds, has struck a chord with modern Indian consumers who seek elegance, sustainability, and value. The brand has achieved great success with its first two stores, establishing a strong offline presence and cultivating a loyal clientele. Building on this momentum, Aayushi and Pratham are now preparing to open their third store in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda, further expanding the brand’s footprint.

3. Gaurav Tyagi, Founder of Career Xpert

For over 18 years, Mr. Gaurav Tyagi has been a pioneer in the medical counseling sector, guiding thousands of students toward fulfilling their dreams of becoming doctors. He is a B.Tech graduate with diplomas in psychology and counseling from Chandigarh and Bangalore. Mr. Tyagi combines academic expertise with psychological insight to support students through demanding exams like NEET UG and NEET PG. As the founder of Career Xpert, he has mentored over 50,000 students, providing comprehensive guidance on exam preparation, admissions, and career planning. Each year, nearly 10,000 students benefit from his unique blend of counseling and technical expertise. Through the Career Xpert Charitable Trust, he extends opportunities to underprivileged students.

4. Manoj Dhanotiya, Founder & CEO of Micro Mitti

Manoj Dhanotiya, a serial entrepreneur with 15+ years across IT, SaaS, and real estate, leads Micro Mitti, Bharat’s first real estate co-investment PropTech platform. Under his leadership, Micro Mitti is democratizing access to land and wealth creation, with 9+ projects underway in partnership with JLL, IC Universal, and renowned architect Sanjay Puri. Backed by ₹90 crore in funding, the company is positioning Indore on the national map as a hub for real estate co-investment platform. Recognized with the Realty+ PropTech 40 Under 40 (2025), Times Achievers (2022), and Pride of Central India (2023), Manoj is redefining organized real estate investment for Bharat.

5. Mahesh Kudav, Managing Director of Venus Safety & Health Pvt. Ltd.

From a modest beginning with just ₹500 in 1985, Mahesh Kudav has transformed  Venus Safety (this needs to be hyperlinked as shared in the document) into one of India’s foremost PPE manufacturers - a story of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. A chemistry graduate with an instinct for textiles, he pioneered “neck-up” safety solutions and advanced respiratory protection, setting new benchmarks with global certifications and exports to over 32 countries. Beyond business, Mahesh Kudav has been an active contributor to national and international safety standardization bodies, pushing the frontiers of Make in India through patents, R&D collaborations with IITs and DRDO, and a relentless focus on self-reliance. Mahesh Kudav is not just building global enterprises, but also aligning growth with impact, innovation, and purpose.

6. Mr. Yogesh Bajpai – Executive Vice President & Business Head, ZeroB (Ion Exchange India Ltd.)

From starting his journey as a sales executive to leading roles in sales, marketing, and customer service, Mr. Yogesh Bajpai now drives ZeroB as its Business Head. Since 2018, he has led the company’s turnaround from a loss-making unit to a ₹300+ crore brand, targeting ₹400 crore next year. He champions the “Bharat Ka Paani” campaign with a mission to deliver clean, safe drinking water to every corner of India and beyond. Guided by the vision “Happy employees, happier customers,” he is known for introducing innovative water technologies, many for the first time in India that redefine wellness for the nation.

7. Rohia Munavar, CMO at CyberMindr

Rohia Munavar is a global marketing leader with 12 years of experience driving growth across industries including cybersecurity, conversational AI, HRtech, edtech, gaming, DEI, and community marketing. She specializes in building high-impact marketing functions for complex B2B SaaS companies, transforming them into powerful, recognizable brands. As the CMO at CyberMindr (a SaaS platform for Continuous Threat Exposure Management), Rohia leads global expansion initiatives through strategic industry events across the UK and USA. Recognized with the GISR Foundation’s International Inspirational Women Award, she is also a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and an active voice on social impact and inclusion. Beyond her corporate role, Rohia is committed to nurturing the next generation of marketers, mentoring budding professionals, serving on judging panels for marketing challenges, and contributing her expertise to academic and industry events.

8. Abhishek Mathur, Co-founder Congo and Covah Gurgaon

At 36, Abhishek Mathur stands at the crossroads of finance and hospitality, with over 15 years of experience spanning investment banking and dining ventures. As CEO of Good Game Investment, he has scaled assets beyond ₹500 crore, achieving 400% growth in just three years while backing innovators like Nodwin, One Impression, Kuku FM, and STAN. An economics graduate with a master’s in law, Abhishek blends strategic acumen with cultural perspective shaped by his upbringing in Brussels. Now, as co-founder of Covah and Congo, he is focused on building core, immersive, and sustainable dining concepts, while also driving future-ready housing through GreenCon Constructions LLP.

9. Arpit Bansal, Founder & Director of Sea Breeze Villas

Arpit Bansal is the Founder & Director of Sea Breeze Villas Private Limited, a company specialising in premium villas and apartments developments based in Goa, India. He has played a critical role in shaping the company's vision and its commitment to delivering residences that blend quality, comfort, and timeless aesthetics. His leadership style is highlighted by a vision for high standards in construction and hospitality, which can be seen reflected in every project by Sea Breeze Villas.

10. Anurag Dania, Co-founder Congo and Covah Gurgaon

A visionary entrepreneur, Anurag Dania has redefined experiential dining in Gurgaon through his ability to merge architecture, culture, and sustainability. At Congo and Covah, Anurag’s design-led thinking breathes life into spaces that feel immersive and transformative-whether it’s the rainforest-inspired storytelling of Congo or the contemporary finesse of Covah. His eye for detail, from reclaimed materials to eco-conscious practices, ensures that both concepts stand out as cultural landmarks rather than just restaurants

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