Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List Features Prominent Indian Talents

Forbes released its 9th edition of the “30 Under 30 Asia” list on Thursday, celebrating young entrepreneurs, leaders, and trailblazers under 30 who are driving innovation and transforming industries across the Asia-Pacific region. The prestigious list includes Indian entrepreneurs from various sectors, ranging from technology and sustainability to logistics and fashion.

Pavithra Chari, a talented singer-composer, rose to prominence as one half of the duo Shadow and Light, collaborating with Anindo Bose. Their work with the Berklee Indian Ensemble even garnered a Grammy nomination in 2023. Additionally, she contributes to the Anirudh Varma Collective, touring the US, and boasts proficiency in Bharatnatyam dance. Ms. Chari is also recognized for her captivating covers of popular film hits.

Arpan Kumar Chandel, also known as King, is an Indian rapper who gained global recognition when Nick Jonas remixed his hit song ‘Maan Meri Jaan’. King rose to fame after his appearance on MTV Hustle in 2019 and has since released numerous albums. His latest album, ‘New Life’, features collaborations with artists like Nikhita Gandhi and Gucci Mane. Additionally, he serves as Sony Audio’s ambassador and has ventured into the fragrance industry with his own scent, Blanko.

CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY

Kush Jain

Kush Jain’s foray into consumer technology began during a volunteering stint at a Bangalore school in 2018, where he encountered firsthand the challenges faced by the visually impaired. Fueled by a passion for innovation and social impact, he co-founded ORama AI. Their pioneering creation, a smart glove, is designed to empower individuals with visual impairments by revolutionizing Braille learning. With an embedded camera and speaker, the glove accurately tracks finger movements and provides audible feedback upon touching Braille dots. This innovative solution is poised to redefine accessibility and inclusivity for the visually impaired community.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

 

Arth Chowdhary, Deyvant Bhardwaj, and Oshi Kumari are the co-founders of InsideFPV, an Indian drone startup established in 2020. Their flagship product is a user-friendly “plug-and-fly” drone, offering simplicity in contrast to the complexity of traditional setups. Headquartered in Surat, the company operates an online platform for the sale of drones and related components.

Pranav Manpuria, the co-founder of Flux Auto, launched the autonomous driving startup in 2017. The company focuses on developing self-driving software tailored for forklifts and warehouse robots. Their technology is designed to seamlessly integrate with pre-existing infrastructure systems, offering a convenient solution for businesses.

Arun Sreyas and Gautham Maheswaran, university friends turned entrepreneurs, established RACE Energy in 2018. Based in Hyderabad, their startup specializes in developing swappable battery packs specifically designed for India’s ubiquitous three-wheeled auto-rickshaws. Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Harshit Jain and Abhik Saha joined forces to establish OnePlay, a Mumbai-based cloud gaming startup, in 2019. OnePlay revolutionizes gaming by enabling users to access popular titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Palworld seamlessly across various platforms, eliminating the need for costly hardware.

ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY

Kunal Aggarwal

In 2019, Kunal Aggarwal introduced Credflow, a venture specializing in cashflow management solutions tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises. Leveraging advanced analytics, the platform meticulously analyzes business data, automates payment reminders, and provides eligible users with access to credit lines.

Gaurav Piyush, Mayank Varshney, and Yash Sharma collaborated to found Blitz, a logistics startup, in 2020. Headquartered in Gurugram, the company, previously named Grow Simplee, specializes in providing expedited delivery services, offering same- or next-day delivery options through a network of strategically located warehouses and fulfillment centers.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Aditya Dadia established AIwrite in 2022, introducing cutting-edge digital software tailored for India’s insurance sector. Headquartered in Mumbai, the startup harnesses the power of machine learning to assist insurance companies in swiftly analyzing risks and expediting product development processes.

FINANCE AND VENTURE CAPITAL

Aalesh Avlani (CWC)

Aalesh Avlani, an alumnus of Boston University, co-founded Credit Wise Capital (CWC), a financial institution focused on offering motorcycle loans. Established in 2019, CWC secured $6 million in startup funding in the subsequent year. Leveraging innovative technology such as a WhatsApp bot, they expedite the credit assessment process, facilitating loan applications for individuals without established credit histories.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Srinivas Sarkar and Kushagra Manglik teamed up to establish Coupl, India’s pioneering bank tailored for couples of diverse backgrounds. Launched in early 2022, the startup assists couples, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, in efficiently managing their finances through joint accounts and linked ATM cards.

 

Aniket Damle is an integral member of Blackstone’s private equity investment team in Asia, where he specializes in identifying investment opportunities within India’s healthcare, consumer, and industrial sectors. Despite his youth, Aniket played a pivotal role in his first deal at the age of 23, when Blackstone partnered with Sona BLW to create Sona Comstar, a technology platform company centered on electric vehicles, in 2018.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Yashvardhan Kanoi oversees investments at Alter Global, a venture capital firm bridging Silicon Valley with startups in emerging markets. Since 2019, he has spearheaded investments in companies spanning Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Latin America, including Ula, BukuKas, and CoLearn.

 

Manish Maryada is one of the co-founders of Fello, a fintech startup headquartered in India. Fello revolutionizes investing by offering users rewards, making the investment process more engaging and enjoyable. Through the app, users who invest a specified amount receive tickets to play in-house games, where they can win various rewards and prizes. Established in 2021, Fello has amassed over a million downloads and has secured over $5 million in funding.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Anuj Srivastava and Priyesh Srivastava, both unrelated, came together to establish OnFinance AI, a Bengaluru-based startup. They pioneered NeoGPT, a specialized ChatGPT-like service designed specifically for the finance industry. NeoGPT assists in data analysis, generates forecasts, and conducts financial market research, revolutionizing how financial institutions leverage AI technology.

 

Karan Ahuja, a Google research scientist, is set to assume the role of assistant professor of computer science at Northwestern University beginning September 2024. Armed with a PhD in human-computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Ahuja has dedicated his expertise to various projects, including body-movement sensing for smartwatches and gaze-tracking for smartphone control. His contributions have garnered nearly 1,000 citations over the past five years.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Aryan Chauhan, together with his mother Monika Chauhan, established Zivov in 2021 with a mission to revolutionize diabetes treatment. Their innovative solution entails a self-developed sensor designed to be attached to the skin for monitoring blood sugar levels. Users can conveniently access the results through Zivov’s smartphone application.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Akshit Bansal and Raghav Arora, the minds behind Statiq, embarked on their journey towards greener transportation after Akshit Bansal was inspired while biking through Bengaluru’s polluted streets. Following an unsuccessful car-sharing venture, they pivoted their focus to electric vehicles. Headquartered in Gurgaon, their company, Statiq, has established a nationwide network of charging stations catering to electric cars, buses, trucks, and three-wheelers. With $27.5 million raised from investors, the company anticipates achieving its first operating profit in the upcoming financial year.

Ankit Jain and Narayan Lal Gurjar teamed up to establish EF Polymer, an agriculture startup, in 2018. Their company specializes in creating a powder-like water-retention product crafted from biodegradable materials such as bananas and orange peels. This innovative solution aids in soil moisture retention, boosting crop yields by absorbing surplus water and gradually releasing it as needed.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Chirag Jain and Rama Krishna Mendu established EndureAir Systems, a drone startup based in Noida, in 2018. The company has developed three distinct drone models tailored for mapping, monitoring, and logistics purposes. Notably, one of their models is battery-powered and boasts a carrying capacity of up to 15 kg, with a range of 15 km.

Rahil Gupta, in collaboration with his team, established Hop Electric Mobility, an electric motorbike startup, in 2020. The company introduces three distinct products, ranging in price from ₹66,790 to ₹1,33,580. Notably, their premium Oxo bike can achieve speeds of up to 95 km per hour and cover a distance of 150 km on a single charge.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Kavan Antani is among the co-founders of IndieFolio, a Mumbai-based on-demand talent marketplace that caters to creative professionals. Since its inception in 2014, the platform has served as a hub connecting designers, animators, content creators, and video producers with clients seeking their expertise. IndieFolio has curated a talent pool exceeding 70,000 individuals and has attracted major clients such as Paytm, Ogilvy, and Domino’s Pizza.  Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia

Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List Features Prominent Indian Talents