11 Entrepreneurs in Delhi Who Went From Zero to Hero (Men & Women Edition)

Notice the above image?

That’s Paytm, one of India’s most iconic fintech startups, and the first payments app to cross 100 million downloads. And here’s the thing, you might not know this.

The brain behind it is Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm.

He literally started from scratch in Noida. And a dream: make India cashless. Imagine that. One small idea. Countless sleepless nights.

Today, it’s a platform used by millions across the country. And that’s exactly what Delhi’s startup scene is all about.

It isn’t booming, it’s evolving.

From sleepless nights in Gurugram co-working spaces to brainstorming over chai in Connaught Place (aka CP), Delhi entrepreneurs have always built with heart, hustle, and hunger. Some of them started with solid backing; others began with nothing but an idea and ambition. But all of them have the following things in common.

👉 Passion

👉 Persistence

👉 The classic Dilli never-say-die attitude

👉 A burning desire to build something that truly matters

With that spirit, they’ve built real companies, solved real problems, and inspired an entire generation of founders to dream bigger.

That’s why Delhi has become a powerhouse for innovation. Whether it’s tech, fintech, or D2C brands, founders here are building startups that rival the best in Bangalore and Mumbai. If you’ve been tracking the top startups in Delhi lately, you already know how strong the ecosystem has become.

And behind many of these success stories lies one common factor which is a strong digital strategy. From visibility to conversions, it’s the fuel that powers modern growth. That’s why so many founders are now turning to SEO companies in Delhi to build sustainable, long-term traction online.

But of course, marketing alone doesn’t build legends, the vision does.

The founders we’re featuring here prove that with the right mindset (and the right digital partner), anything is possible.

If you’re in that space where scaling your startup, or looking to go digital-first is your priority, you might also want to explore the best digital marketing agencies in Delhi that help startups like yours grow smarter, faster, and stronger.

So grab a cup of chai, and let’s dive into the stories of 11 Delhi entrepreneurs who went from zero to hero, and are now shaping India’s startup revolution.

11 top entrepreneurs in Delhi building the next generation of Indian brands

Before we get into the list, a small disclaimer.

This isn’t a random compilation from the internet.

These are founders we (I and the ZeroAdo team) have watched, learned from, and genuinely admired over the years.

Some we’ve met in Delhi events, some we’ve followed since their first pitch decks. Each one built something that made us go, “Damn, that’s how you do it.”

Of course, you might have your own favourites, and that’s perfectly fine. Delhi runs on diversity, after all. So whether you’re a chai person or a cold coffee hustler ☕🥤, here’s to celebrating the builders who make this city proud.

Deepinder Goyal – Founder, Zomato

You know how everyone in Delhi has that one friend who’s always hunting for the best food spots?

Well, that’s kind of how Zomato started.

Back in 2008, Deepinder and his co-founder Pankaj were just two guys in a small Delhi office, scanning restaurant menus so their colleagues could decide what to eat. Simple, right?

But here’s the thing, that tiny idea grew into something massive. Deepinder didn’t just want to list restaurants, he wanted to solve how people discover and experience food. And he did it with a mix of passion, sharp data thinking, and good old Delhi-style persistence.

Today, Zomato isn’t just an app, it’s how India eats. From a local idea to a global IPO, Deepinder proved you don’t need to be born into opportunity to build something world-class.

Takeaway: If you’ve got an idea that solves a real problem, don’t overthink it, just start. Scale will follow.

Radhika Ghai Agarwal – Co-founder, ShopClues

Let me tell you about Radhika, one of those people who built something before it was cool.

When she came back from the US, most people didn’t even know what “e-commerce” meant.

But she saw potential where no one else did and that is helping small Indian sellers who deserved to be online.

She co-founded ShopClues in Gurugram in 2011, built it from scratch, and turned it into one of India’s earliest unicorns. What I really love about her story? She didn’t wait for funding or permission, she just started.

And as a woman founder in a male-dominated space, she broke more than business barriers. Her journey opened the doors for so many D2C brands and small sellers who dreamt of going digital.

Takeaway: Don’t wait for “perfect timing.” Sometimes, you’ve got to create the market you believe in.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma – Founder & CEO, Paytm

If there’s one story that defines “from zero to hero,” it’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s.

Coming from a small town in Aligarh and struggling with English in college, he learned coding by reading translated books.

In 2010, he started Paytm with the dream of bringing financial inclusion to every Indian. And today we all know how Paytm is one of India’s biggest fintech companies.

At first, Paytm was just for mobile recharges. Then came demonetization, and everything changed. Vijay saw the opportunity to make India go cashless and jumped on it faster than anyone else. That one move changed how a billion Indians pay every single day.

What do I like about him? He’s not afraid to bet big: on himself, on India, on the future.

Takeaway: You don’t need big resources to build something huge. You just need the courage to dream bigger than your comfort zone.

Khushboo Jain – Co-founder, ImpactGuru

Have you ever wondered how crowdfunding could actually save lives? That’s exactly what Khushboo figured out.

She started ImpactGuru after seeing how families struggled to pay for critical medical treatments and social causes. Instead of waiting for government help or large donors, she thought, “Why not make it easy for anyone to help anyone?”

Her idea was simple, but impactful, a platform where people could raise funds for real, urgent problems. And it worked. Hundreds of crores have been raised, helping thousands of families in their toughest moments.

What’s inspiring here? Khushboo proves that business can be profitable and purpose-driven. She didn’t just build a platform; she built a movement where compassion and tech meet.

Takeaway: Solve real human problems, and people will rally behind you, profit follows purpose.

Upasana Taku – Co-founder, MobiKwik

Let me tell you, back in the 2010s, paying bills or sending money in India was such a headache. And honestly, that’s what sparked Upasana’s journey.

She left her corporate career to co-found MobiKwik with her husband Bipin, starting as a simple mobile wallet in 2009. Their goal is to make digital payments fast, easy, and accessible to millions, especially those whose banks didn’t serve well.

Upasana’s superpower is grit. In a male-dominated fintech space, she kept moving forward, building trust with customers, regulators, and investors alike. MobiKwik now serves over 100 million users, offering wallets, credit, insurance, and investments, all while helping India go cashless.

Takeaway: Persistence pays when passion meets purpose. Solve real problems, adapt quickly, and stay true to your mission.

Jo Aggarwal – Co-founder & CEO, Wysa

Ever felt anxious and wished there was someone, or something that could just listen, anytime, without judgment? That’s exactly what inspired Jo.

Jo co-founded Wysa, an AI-driven mental health companion, after realizing how many people in India hesitate to seek help due to stigma, cost, or accessibility. She wanted to make emotional support accessible to everyone, anywhere, anytime.

Starting small, she and her team focused on creating technology that felt empathetic, human, and private. The goal wasn’t to replace therapists, but to provide an easy first step for anyone struggling with anxiety, stress, or emotional challenges.

Today, Wysa has millions of users worldwide, helping people manage mental health through AI-powered chats, guided exercises, and professional support. Jo’s leadership style focuses on people first and growth second which is a rare approach in tech startups.

Takeaway: Build products that truly understand your users. If technology meets empathy, it can change lives and build loyal communities.

Sushant Gupta – Founder, SG Analytics

Picture this: it’s the early 2000s, “big data” isn’t even a buzzword, and Sushant starts a data research company from Delhi. That’s how SG Analytics was born.

Sushant realized that businesses needed actionable insights, not just raw numbers. He built a company delivering high-quality analytics to global clients while maintaining accuracy, trust, and client relationships.

Today, SG Analytics works with Fortune 500 companies across continents, helping them make smarter decisions through research and data. Sushant’s philosophy was simple behind SG Analytics – Always provide wisdom, not just information.

Takeaway: If you focus on quality and trust, your work speaks for itself, and the world will notice.

Saahil Goel – Founder, Shiprocket

Ever tried shipping products across India as a small seller? Frustrating, right? That’s what Saahil noticed, and he decided to fix it.

He founded Shiprocket to give small and medium e-commerce sellers access to world-class logistics infrastructure. His idea was simple: make shipping easy, fast, and affordable, so even tiny sellers could compete with giants like Amazon.

With automation, smart tech, and an “India-first” mindset, Shiprocket now powers over 270,000 sellers, shipping millions of parcels every month. Saahil’s story proves that solving logistical headaches can unlock growth for thousands of small businesses.

Takeaway: Empower others with tools you wish existed, and you’ll build a company people can’t live without.

Aditi Gupta – Co-founder, Menstrupedia

Ever remember being 12 and not knowing half the things about your own body? Aditi does, and that memory became her mission.

Growing up in Garhwa, Jharkhand, she faced all the taboos around periods: from restrictions on daily life to being shamed for asking questions.

Instead of accepting it, she asked herself, “Why can’t girls like me get the right info?” That question sparked Menstrupedia in 2012, alongside her husband Tuhin Paul.

Aditi didn’t go the usual route of textbooks. She created comic books with relatable characters, turning complex puberty topics into fun, myth-busting stories. She researched, consulted doctors, and spoke to girls across India to make it medically accurate yet culturally sensitive.

Fast forward today, Menstrupedia reaches over 13 million girls and women in 25,500+ schools across India and 23 countries, all in 20+ languages.

Takeaway: Personal struggles can turn into powerful, purpose-driven solutions. Solve real pain points, and you’ll leave a lasting impact.

Rajeev Bansal – Founder, Nirmalaya

Have you ever noticed the mountains of flowers and waste left at temples after festivals? Rajeev did, and he turned it into an opportunity.

He co-founded Nirmalaya, transforming temple flower waste into eco-friendly products like incense, organic compost, and natural colors. His mission is clear: respect tradition, but innovate sustainably.

Rajeev’s approach combines Indian values with modern eco-consciousness. By building a business that solves an environmental problem, he’s also created jobs for rural women and shown that spirituality and entrepreneurship can coexist beautifully.

Takeaway: Honor your roots while creating solutions for the future, you can do good and do well at the same time.

Pulkit Khurana – Co-founder, Battery Smart

Have you ever worried about charging your electric vehicle in India? Pulkit saw that pain point as a huge opportunity.

He co-founded Battery Smart with Siddharth to make EV adoption easier with a simple idea: battery swapping. Instead of waiting hours to charge, drivers could swap a depleted battery for a fully charged one in minutes. Smart, right?

Pulkit’s approach is all about practical problem-solving. He focused on creating a system that actually works for Indian cities, dealing with traffic, population density, and cost constraints. He didn’t chase flashy tech, he built something that solved a real daily problem.

Now, Battery Smart has over 1,600 swap stations and serves tens of thousands of drivers daily, fueling India’s EV revolution. Pulkit’s story shows that big change starts with fixing everyday friction points.

Takeaway: Solve small, real problems first, and the bigger impact will follow.

What if you’re the next name on this Delhi entrepreneurs list?

Every entrepreneur you read about here once stood exactly where you are: unsure, hopeful, maybe even a little scared.

They didn’t have all the answers. They just had an idea and the guts to start.

And look where that got them, from tiny Delhi offices to global stages.

If you’ve got that same spark, don’t let it fade.

Build that product. Launch that site. Send that pitch.

And if you ever need help with visibility, growth, or digital strategy, that’s where ZeroAdo steps in.

We’ve helped 49+ startups and SMBs across 12+ countries turn traffic into traction and ideas into inbound leads. From SEO to content and digital marketing, we build systems that grow with you.

So if you’re a founder sitting somewhere in Delhi, Noida, or Gurugram, wondering how to take your startup from idea to impact, maybe it’s time we had a chat.

Let’s build your story next. 🚀

Book your free discovery call with ZeroAdo ↗️

FAQs about entrepreneurs in Delhi