From Zero to Brand – The Inspiring Stories of Successful Indian Startups
In the world of startups, the journey from humble beginnings to soaring success is often marked by determination, resilience, and an unwavering belief in their vision. The Indian startup ecosystem has been on a remarkable journey, with innovative minds turning ideas into successful businesses. India has become a breeding ground for innovative startups that have made a global impact and behind the success of these startups are visionary founders who began with a dream and transformed it into reality.
In today’s article, we’ll delve into the inspiring stories of the following Indian startup founders who started from scratch and achieved heroic success. Their dedication, passion, and resilience have not only transformed their lives but also made a significant impact on the Indian business landscape.
I will publish a weekly article every Friday, that discusses the case study of each brand separately. To learn more about these brands, make sure to mark your calendar. Let’s begin with our list of Indian startups that evolved from zero to a recognized brand.
Zepto – Zepto was born out of a desire to provide consumers with a more convenient and efficient way to shop for everyday essentials. The founders Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are drop-outs from Stanford University and came back to India to work on their startup idea in 2021. They envisioned a platform that offers a 10-minute grocery and household items delivery service, and not hours.
Meesho – Meesho is an e-commerce platform that empowers individuals, particularly women, to start their online businesses. Founded in 2015 and scaled highly in 2021, the founders Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal have created one of the best zero-investment reselling platforms for small businesses that can sell a wide range of products, helping them earn a livelihood and support small-scale entrepreneurship.
PharmEasy – PharmEasy is an online pharmacy and healthcare platform. It simplifies the process of ordering medicines, offering a wide range of healthcare products and services, including lab tests and consultations. The company was founded in 2015 in Mumbai by Dharmil Sheth and Dhaval Shah with the initial seed funding from their parents.
BluSmart – BluSmart is a B2C or business-to-customer model and India’s first 100% electric taxi service. The company was founded in 2019. BluSmart’s mission is to provide efficient, affordable, intelligent, safe, and reliable mobility. The company has achieved an ARR of Rs 400 crore by August 2023, marking a significant 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Zerodha – Zerodha is a pioneer in the Indian stock brokerage industry. It’s a leading online discount brokerage firm that provides a platform for traders and investors to buy and sell stocks, commodities, and more at competitive rates. Founded by two brothers Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath, it’s most prominent feature is its zero brokerage model for equity delivery trades.
CRED – CRED is a fintech platform that has revolutionized credit card payments. It offers a unique experience for credit card users, allowing them to pay their credit card bills while earning rewards and cashback for responsible credit card usage. Founded in 2018 by Kunal Shah, it’s a members-only credit card bill payment rewards platform that incentivizes and rewards members for clearing their bills on time.
Pocket FM – Pocket FM is an Indian audio entertainment platform that allows users to listen to audiobooks, stories, and podcasts. The platform also allows creators to upload their content and earn money through its revenue-sharing program. Founded by Rohan, Nishanth and Prateek in 2018, it’s content library and a wide range of audio entertainment give its listeners a platform where they can explore and indulge in a new experience.
Nykaa – Nykaa is an Indian e-commerce company that sells beauty, wellness, and fashion products. Founded by Falguni Nayar, it’s a D2C business selling products through its website, mobile app, and over 100 physical stores, it is one of India’s largest cosmetics and lifestyle brands.
Groww – Groww is a fintech startup that makes investing accessible to everyone. Users can invest in mutual funds, stocks, and more through its user-friendly platform. Founded in 2017 by four former Flipkart employees, it’s a direct mutual fund distribution platform.
boAt – boAt is an Indian consumer electronics brand that sells audio-centric devices like Earphones, Headphones, Speakers, Travel chargers, Cables, Earbuds and more. Founded in 2015 by Aman Gupta, it’s target audience is the youth and millennials who focus on fitness.
Khatabook – Khatabook is the world’s fastest-growing SaaS company. It’s a digital ledger app designed for small businesses and merchants. Founded in 2018 by Dhanesh Kumar, it’s a bookkeeping app and a lending platform that simplifies the process of bookkeeping and managing accounts, particularly for businesses that have limited access to financial services.
Dukaan – Dukaan is a platform that enables small businesses and entrepreneurs to set up and manage their online stores with ease, facilitating their transition into the digital marketplace. Founded by Sumit Shah in 2018, it’s a DIY platform which enables merchants with zero programming skills to set up their eCommerce store.
Upstox – Upstox is an online discount brokerage firm that provides a platform for traders and investors to buy and sell stocks, commodities, and other financial instruments at competitive rates. Founded by Ravi Kumar and his brothers, it’s vision is to make trading and investing effortless and accessible across India.
Licious – Licious is an online meat and seafood delivery startup that operates in 28 Indian cities. It provides fresh, high-quality meat and seafood products to customers, offering a convenient and reliable source for these food items. The idea came to Abhay Hanjura and Vivek Gupta while having lunch and they realized that the chicken they were eating was not of good quality.
KreditBee – KreditBee is an Indian FinTech company that aims to increase loan eligibility for students, self-employed users, and newly banked individuals. Founded in 2015, to solve the need for urgent personal finances.
Their stories serve as an inspiration to all aspiring entrepreneurs in India and around the world. It’s a reminder that with determination, innovation, and a commitment to a noble cause, anyone can transform their dreams from zero to hero.
I will publish a weekly article every Friday, that discusses the case study of each brand separately. To learn more about these brands, make sure to mark your calendar. Let’s begin with our list of Indian startups that evolved from zero to a recognized brand.
