India’s Self-Made Entrepreneurs Fuel Unprecedented Wealth Creation
India’s self-made entrepreneurs are significantly transforming the nation’s economic landscape, with the total valuation of companies established by the top 200 self-made founders soaring to an impressive ₹42 lakh crore ($469 billion) in 2025. This represents a notable increase from ₹36 lakh crore ($431 billion) in the previous year, reflecting a robust annual growth rate of 15 per cent. This remarkable rise not only underscores escalating valuations but also highlights the increasing depth, resilience, and global significance of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Surge in Billion-Dollar Companies and Emerging Founders
The number of billion-dollar businesses founded by these entrepreneurs has increased to 128 from 121 last year, according to the “Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2025” report published by IDFC FIRST Private in partnership with Hurun India. In addition to 53 new companies overall, this edition has introduced 102 new founders and welcomed 22 new companies into the billion-dollar club. The increase of ultra large corporations this year is particularly noteworthy; there are now five organizations valued at ₹1 lakh crore or more, up from just three in 2024. This shows how quickly India’s most successful companies are growing.
Startup Hubs Reflect Changing Entrepreneurial Trends
India’s prominent startup cities continue to play a pivotal role, albeit with shifting dynamics. Bengaluru has maintained its status as the leading startup hub, housing 52 companies on the list, despite a decrease of 14 companies from last year. Mumbai has bolstered its position with 41 companies, adding five newcomers, while Gurugram recorded 36 companies, also up by five. In terms of founder residences, Bengaluru leads once again with 88 entrepreneurs, followed by Mumbai with 83 and New Delhi with 52. Collectively, these three cities represent a significant portion of India’s top self made entrepreneurs, underscoring their ongoing importance in fostering high-growth ventures.
Financial Services and Technology Drive Sector Expansion
In terms of sectors, financial services emerged as the leading category with 47 companies, highlighting India’s burgeoning fintech and financial innovation landscape. Software and services followed closely with 28 companies, while healthcare (27) and retail (20) also showcased strong representation, indicating widespread entrepreneurial growth across essential and consumer-focused industries. Nearly 95 per cent of the companies listed have secured external investments, illustrating the crucial role of venture capital, private equity, and strategic funding in scaling businesses, while a small yet notable number continue to thrive through bootstrapped models.
New-Age Companies and Their Social Impact
The report also emphasizes the contributions of newer ventures. Five companies founded after 2020 are already collectively valued at ₹78,000 crore, showcasing how rapidly new-age businesses can scale within India’s supportive ecosystem. Beyond mere valuations, these companies are making significant contributions to employment and workforce development. Employee benefits across the listed firms have increased from ₹54,000 crore to ₹57,200 crore this year, reflecting a sustained commitment to investing in human capital.
Leading Founders and Enhanced Representation
Deepinder Goyal is leading this year, with his company Eternal valued at ₹3.2 lakh crore, up 27% from the previous year. With 20 female founders becoming some of India’s most valuable self-made business leaders, the research also emphasises the increasing number of female entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, these results support India’s position as one of the most vibrant and quickly expanding entrepreneurial ecosystems in the world, propelled by forward thinking founders dedicated to generating long-term value at scale.
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