According to the latest Avendus Wealth-Hurun India U35 List 2026, the cumulative valuation of businesses spearheaded by entrepreneurs aged 35 and under has surged 23% year-on-year to reach ₹48 lakh crore.
The report highlights a growing shift in India’s corporate and startup ecosystem, driven by first-generation founders, advancements in niche technology sectors, and expanding employment generation.
Key Highlights & Findings from the Hurun Report
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Growth in Young Leadership: The number of young business leaders featured on the list increased by 16% from 155 to 180 entrepreneurs.
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Massive Economic Footprint: The 37 individual companies represented on the list are valued at over $1 billion (unicorns and beyond), collectively employing more than 5.88 lakh people.
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Dominance of First-Generation Founders: 71% of the 180 leaders on the list are first-generation entrepreneurs, showcasing the rising success of self-made founders.
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Explosive Growth in Artificial Intelligence: Founders operating within the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) sectors quadrupled, rising from 3 to 12 founders year-on-year. Beyond consumer tech, representation also expanded into deep-tech, SpaceTech, aerospace and defence, renewable energy, and manufacturing.
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Demographics & Leadership Diversity:
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The average age of the founders on the list is 33 years.
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Anmol Bhansali (31) of Goldiam International is the youngest leader on the list.
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Romita Mazumdar of Foxtale stands out as the youngest woman among the 23 women leaders featured.
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Top Educational Incubators: IIT Delhi produced the highest number of alumni on the list (11), closely followed by IIT Kharagpur (10), IIT Madras (7), and the University of Delhi (7).
