The new vanguard of Indian business: 10 trailblazers redefining leadership and changing global perspectives

For centuries, India has been an emerging superpower especially in the spaces of business and entrepreneurship. Today, a mix of young and established names are getting hands-on with causes that need real attention in business from women’s health and stock market trading to finance, green energies and pharmaceutical development. Whether it is Arjun Juneja helming Mankind Pharma or Roshini Nadar Malhotra breaking the glass ceiling for women in technology, these business magnates are using their knowledge to represent India in the global landscape.

Nikhil Kamath, Co-Founder, Zerodha

The Indian internet is no stranger to Nikhil Kamath, the co-founder of Zerodha, an Indian brokerage company which has changed the stockbroking landscape with a disruptive, commission-free model. After dropping out from school, Kamath's journey from a call center employee to one of India's youngest self-made billionaires is a true testament to his entrepreneurial acumen. Beyond Zerodha, he has co-founded True Beacon and Gruhas, ventures in asset management and real estate, respectively. According to Forbes, as of March 2025, Kamath is worth $2.6 billion. In 2023, he joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donate 50 per cent of his wealth to causes like climate change and education, trying to make a true change onto society. His podcast, WTF is, featuring guests like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores his influence in India's startup ecosystem.

Arjun Juneja, COO, Mankind Pharma

As COO of Mankind Pharma, Arjun Juneja plays a pivotal role in steering one of India's leading pharmaceutical companies. Juneja is an alumnus from Strathclyde Business School, with a background in business. He has been instrumental in expanding Mankind's operations and market presence. His strategic vision has contributed to the company's growth, ensuring the delivery of affordable and quality healthcare products across India. Beyond his leadership role at Mankind Pharma, he also serves as Director at Pathkind Diagnostics, a diagnostics lab chain, showcasing his commitment to advancing healthcare services in the country. He is a pivotal business magnate in the pharmaceutical industry.

Tanvi Johri, Founder & CEO, Carmesi

When Tanvi Johri founded Carmesi, she didn’t just launch a brand, she sparked a movement in clean, conscious personal care. Her personal experiences with discomfort during menstruation, led her to create a brand that prioritises comfort and health. Johri’s dedication and ideations led to Carmesi becoming a trusted name in women’s personal care as one of the few brands that address women’s intimate health needs. In a market saturated with mass-produced options, she has carved out a space rooted in empathy, ethics, and everyday empowerment.

Upasana Taku, Co-Founder, Chairperson, and CFO of MobiKwik

For about 20 years now, Upasna Taku has aimed to transform India’s digital payments landscape by co-founding Mobi-Kwik in 2009. Under her vision, MobiKwik has become a leading mobile wallet and financial services platform, offering a range of services from payments to digital loans. Taku has always strived to make a change in the fin-tech sector. Her leadership reflects a rare blend of technical acumen and business intuition, steering MobiKwik into the hands of over 100 million users. Taku’s impact in the fintech space, goes far beyond transactions; she's redefined what it means to lead in India’s digital revolution.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson, HCL Technologies

Being the first woman to lead an IT listed company in India is no easy feat, but Roshni Nadar Malhotra owns it completely. A graduate of Northwestern University and Kellogg School of Management, her leadership has been pivotal for HCL’s strategic expansion and global presence. She is also actively involved in philanthropy and conservation through the Shiv Nadar Foundation and The Habitats Trust. In a field long dominated by men, Nadar-Malhotra paves the way for women in STEM and is designing what comes after.

Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director, Tamara Leisure Experiences

Shruti Shibulal is a pioneer for women in the responsible tourism industry. By leading Tamara Leisure Experiences which focuses on responsible tourism and sustainability, her strategic acumen has now positioned Tamara as a luxury eco-friendly hospitality brand in India and Germany. Shibulal is also recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF), and remains committed to expanding Tamara, creating impactful employment and promoting sustainable business practices by bridging the gap between sustainability and luxury.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO, Garuda Aerospace

Agnishwar Jayaprakash is redefining India’s drone ecosystem through Garuda Aerospace, a Chennai-based startup he launched in 2015. Once an Asian Games gold medalist swimmer, Jayaprakash made a striking transition into entrepreneurship, propelling Garuda to the forefront of drone innovation. Garuda Aerospace provides cutting-edge drone solutions for agriculture, infrastructure development, and disaster management. Under his leadership, Garuda has partnered with institutions like IIT Madras and DRDO, and boasts MS Dhoni as both brand ambassador and investor. Named in Fortune India's "40 Under 40," Jayaprakash is driven by a mission to scale Garuda into India’s first drone unicorn—merging technology with the purpose to drive large-scale social impact.

Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Edelweiss Asset Management

Radhika Gupta is the only female head of a major asset manager in India. She is the Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management. A Wharton graduate and former hedge fund manager, Gupta co-founded Forefront Capital before it was acquired by Edelweiss eventually. The company has set up India’s domestic hedge fund, with Radhika’s vision and assistance. Apart from her corporate accolades she is also a prominent public speaker in the financial industry actively advocating for financial literacy. 

Shefali Goradia, Chairperson, Deloitte India

Shefali Goradia made history as the first woman to chair a Big Four firm in India when she was appointed Chairperson of Deloitte South Asia. Her expertise spans over three decades being a chartered accountant and tax specialist, during which she has advised multinational companies on structuring and setting up operations in India. Goradia has also long been a trusted advisor to global corporations navigating the complexities of Indian tax and regulation. Alongwith chairing the firm, she also heads the governing board of the company. 

Devansh Jain, Executive director, INOX-GFL Group

Devansh Jain is leading the $12 billion INOX-GFL Group into a future shaped by green innovation and sustainability. INOX-GFL deals with interests in fluoropolymers, specialty and EV battery chemicals, renewables, and wind turbines. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Jain has been instrumental in expanding the group’s footprint in the renewable energy space through ventures like Inox Wind and Inox Green. He is now spearheading new initiatives in solar module manufacturing and green hydrogen under GFCL EV and IGREL Renewables. With a sharp focus on clean energy solutions, his vision is aligning the conglomerate with India’s broader transition towards a low-carbon economy. Jain’s forward-thinking leadership is positioning INOXGFL as a driving force in the country’s sustainable transformation.

 

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