National Startup Day 2025: Top 10 Indian startups that revolutionized industries

First Published Jan 16, 2025, 3:24 PM IST

National Startup Day, celebrated annually on January 16, recognises the vital role of startups in driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation in India. Initiated during the Startup India Innovation Week in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the day underscores the government’s commitment to fostering the startup ecosystem. First observed in 2022, this annual event celebrates the contributions of entrepreneurs who have positioned India as a global hub for innovation. In 2025, the nation marks nine years of the Startup India initiative, reflecting on the transformative impact of startups in shaping the country’s future.

Flipkart

Sector: E-commerce
Founded: 2007
Founders: Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal
Flipkart revolutionised online shopping in India by making e-commerce accessible to millions of Indians, even in smaller towns. It paved the way for a thriving e-commerce ecosystem in the country.

. BYJU’S

Sector: EdTech
Founded: 2011
Founder: Byju Raveendran
BYJU’S redefined education in India with its interactive learning app, making quality education accessible to students nationwide. It has inspired millions of learners to adopt digital platforms for studying.

Zomato

Sector: FoodTech
Founded: 2008
Founders: Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah
Zomato changed how Indians eat, offering restaurant discovery, food delivery, and reviews. It became instrumental in building the food delivery ecosystem in the country

Paytm

Sector: FinTech
Founded: 2010
Founder: Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Paytm played a key role in India's digital payment revolution. Its mobile wallet and UPI platform accelerated the adoption of cashless transactions, particularly during demonetisation in 2016.

Ola cabs

Sector: Mobility
Founded: 2010
Founders: Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati
Ola transformed urban mobility by making cab services affordable and accessible. Its focus on electric vehicles and shared mobility solutions is shaping the future of transportation in India.

Swiggy

Sector: FoodTech
Founded: 2014
Founders: Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy, and Rahul Jaimini
Swiggy changed the food delivery landscape by providing timely delivery from restaurants and cloud kitchens. Its logistical innovations have set new standards in the industry.

Groww

Sector: FinTech/Investments
Founded: 2016
Founders: Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal
Groww simplified investing by creating a platform where users can invest in stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs with ease. It has made financial literacy and investment more accessible to millennials.

TruAlt Bioenergy

Sector: CleanTech
Founded: 2021
Founder: Vijay Nirani
TruAlt Bioenergy focuses on sustainable energy solutions like ethanol, green hydrogen, and compressed biogas. It’s contributing to India’s clean energy goals while supporting farmers and rural communities.

Zerodha

Sector: FinTech/Investments
Founded: 2010
Founders: Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath

Zerodha revolutionized stock trading in India with its low-cost, technology-driven platform, making investing in stocks, mutual funds, and derivatives accessible to retail investors. It disrupted traditional brokerage models by introducing zero-brokerage equity investing and a flat fee for intraday and F&O trades, enabling cost-effective trading for millions.

Meesho

Sector: E-commerce/Social Commerce
Founded: 2015
Founders: Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal
Meesho is a trailblazer in the social commerce space, empowering small businesses and individuals to sell products online through platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. By focusing on resellers, particularly homemakers and small entrepreneurs, Meesho has created opportunities for individuals across India to earn a livelihood with minimal investment.