40 Under 40 Asia 2025: Young Indian Leaders Making Asia Proud

40 Under 40 Asia 2025 is a tribute to the extraordinary talent, vision, and determination of India’s young achievers who are redefining success across borders. Under the age of 40, they represent diverse industries and are setting new benchmarks of innovation, resilience, and leadership in their respective fields. Behind the initiative is Nandish Communication, the team that brought the idea to life. With its roots in strategic storytelling, the firm shaped 40 Under 40 Asia 2025 as more than a tally of winners. Their role was to create a stage where different industries could stand side by side, and where the larger story of India’s young leadership could be told in one frame.

Here is a brief introduction of 40 young leaders, making Asia proud:

Abhishek Kushwaha

Co-founder of Karta AI

Abhishek Kushwaha is a leading applied AI expert specializing in Agentic AI, Computer Vision, and NLP. With research accepted at CVPR and leadership roles at Walmart Global Tech, Taskbob, and SigTuple, he now builds fintech-focused AI platforms automating business-critical workflows using document and conversational intelligence. His work redefines speed, accuracy, and security in business processes while cementing his place among India’s dynamic young tech founders.

Aditya Aggarwal

Founder & CEO, Spaceman Spirits Lab Pvt. Ltd.

Aditya is reshaping India’s craft spirits industry with globally acclaimed brands like SAṂSĀRA Gin, SĪTÄRĀ Rum, and ÄMĀRĀ Vodka. A UCLA graduate and former PwC consultant, he returned to India in 2020 to blend storytelling, design, and craftsmanship into premium alcobev experiences. Today, SSL operates across 12 states and international markets, scaling into a ₹65 crore next-generation spirits powerhouse.

Dr. Akshay Joshi

Founder, EmpathMed Solutions

Dr. Akshay Joshi leads an award-winning digital healthcare venture harnessing AI to bridge critical care gaps across India. Inspired by the loss of his mother to brain cancer, he is driven to reform healthcare delivery. Backed by IIM-Nagpur and the Maharashtra State Innovation Society, EmpathMed now operates in underserved districts and is preparing to expand into ASEAN countries.

Akshay Mahendru

Co-founder & CEO, Nootie

Akshay Mahendru, popularly known as The Pet Care Guy, is a pet care expert, author of Raising a Happy Dog, and a trusted voice for dog parents. With an engaged community of over 82K followers, he simplifies pet health and behavior through myth-busting, science-backed tips, helping pet parents raise healthier and happier dogs and is the Co-Founder of Nootie. India’s leading pet care brand.

Ankit Narayan Singh

Co-founder & CTO, ParallelDots

Ankit is a technologist turned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in building AI products, backed by multiple patents and research papers. An IIT Kharagpur graduate, he worked globally before co-founding ParallelDots in India. At ParallelDots, he has led the creation of ShelfWatch, a computer vision platform helping Fortune 100 CPG brands ensure accurate product placement, pricing, and retail execution in brick-and-mortar stores.

Ankur Pahuja

Co-founder & Partner, Legacy Growth Partners LLP

A Chartered Accountant and cross-border structuring specialist, Ankur Pahuja advises high-net-worth families, entrepreneurs, and global businesses across India, North America, the Middle East, and Singapore. With over a decade of experience, he has led complex M&A, tax, and succession planning mandates while expanding Legacy Growth’s international footprint as a trusted multi-family office advisory platform.

Anurag Chaturvedi

Director & Principal Officer, XtraTrust Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.

Anurag Chaturvedi is a new-age insurance leader blending industry depth with bold vision. With a decade of diverse experience across underwriting, broking, and compliance, he founded XtraTrust Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd., licensed by IRDAI in January 2025. Focused on trust, technology, and transparency, Anurag is redefining corporate insurance with innovation, speed, and client-first solutions.

Dr. Arasavilli Aravind

Founder, Exxeella Education Group and Exxeella Immigration Services

Dr. Aravind is transforming global education and migration pathways. With a presence in India and overseas, his ventures empower thousands of students and professionals through innovation, skill development, and global mobility. A visionary leader committed to impact-driven growth.

Asha Sharma

Founder, ManuVerse AI

Asha is a visionary leader in manufacturing services and industrial tech with over 15 years of experience. Having driven digital transformation, efficiency, and process innovation across diverse industries, she is now pioneering AI-led disruption in manufacturing. Through ManuVerse AI, Asha is building predictive decision intelligence platforms that transform shopfloors into smart, self-optimizing ecosystems. Her journey reflects grit, innovation, and purpose, redefining leadership in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Ayush Kumar Shaw

Computer Scientist & CEO of YourAKShaw Inc., parent company of CodeInnHQ & Your Media Channel

Fired twice early in career, rebuilt journey from scratch through silent perseverance and determination. Cybersecurity specialist passionate about backend development, AI & startups. Mentors visionary founders, builds in public, fostering secure digital futures through transparency, collaboration and impactful innovation.

Chandan Sharma

Director, Ultra Flex Pvt. Ltd.

Chandan, a third-generation entrepreneur, has transformed a 40-year-old family business in just five years by embracing digitalisation and global export strategies. Guided by strong values and a vision for a greener future, he has pioneered compostable and biodegradable packaging solutions and is among the very few in the country to develop Biodegradable VCI films. He believes sustainability is tomorrow’s necessity.

Ganga Viraj Kota

Founder & CEO, Siddhi Vinayaka Food & Beverages

Ganga is a serial entrepreneur and franchise consultant shaping India’s F&B landscape. He has launched innovative brands like The Friger Co, Ellipayakaram, and Bagara Miya, blending authenticity with scalability. As the Master Franchisee of Belgian Waffle Co. in Hyderabad and founder of Franchise And Business Solutions (FBS), Viraj empowers businesses to expand through franchising, driving sustainable growth and customer-centric ventures.

Harsh Tyagi

Founder, New BIM Interior Studio & Scribs Inc.

Harsh Tyagi is an innovative interior designer specializing in residential and commercial spaces, with expertise in Building Information Modelling (BIM). Certified in Color Consulting, Scientific Vastu, Autodesk, and Graphisoft, he blends creativity, sustainability, and technology to deliver cost-effective solutions. His work reflects a balance of modern innovation and timeless design principles, making him a leader in creating future-ready, impactful spaces.

Karan Rastogi

Co-Founder, Help Us Green

Karan Rastogi is pioneering a circular economy model by transforming floral waste from places of worship into eco-friendly incense sticks and Holi colours. Having recycled over 1.8 million kilos of waste, he has empowered rural women with dignified jobs, restored self-respect in marginalized communities, and gained global recognition from the UN, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Fast Company.

Karthik Venkateswaran

Co-founder & CEO, Zocket AI

Karthik Venkateswaran, 2x entrepreneur from Chennai, is redefining how businesses globally run their digital ads. Zocket, currently used by 1500+ marketers across 40+ countries, is an AI platform which enables businesses to scale their digital ads across Meta, Google, Snap & other platforms. Engineer turned IIM graduate, Karthik exited his last venture, GoBumpr, to TVS Automobile Solutions. At Zocket, one of the very few startups from India to be accelerated by Amazon, Google, Meta, Nasscom, etc. Karthik leads the strategic growth opportunities and is always on the lookout for scale!

Kumar Sanjeev

Board Member of Matriye Group and Founder of CosmosIQ.AI

Kumar Sanjeev is a visionary entrepreneur and business leader with expertise across AI, EdTech, IT, and Capital Advisory. Currently Director of Operations at Symbiosis Open Education Society, he drives strategic initiatives and partnerships. Recognized with the Gujarat Business Glory Award 2024 and ET Business Awards 2023, Kumar blends technology, finance, and education to build sustainable ventures that empower the next generation.

Kunal Aggarwal

Founder & CEO, Easy Solution

Kunal is a healthcare technopreneur revolutionizing hospital management system with AI-driven solutions. With over 20+ years of experience, he has led 500+ implementations across India, Africa, and Asia, simplifying healthcare delivery. Recognized for driving digital transformation, he also mentors future leaders through https://thekunal.com, sharing insights at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

Majeed Mujawar

Founder, Sellworth Realspace LLP

Majeed is redefining Pune’s real estate landscape with a mandate-based, client-first service model. Known for sharp market insight and innovation, he has led landmark transactions while building a culture of trust and transparency. Under his leadership, Sellworth Realspace is enabling wealth creation, fostering long-term relationships, and setting new benchmarks of professionalism in the real estate ecosystem.

Mohan Kumar

Co-founder, Matiks

Mohan left a high-paying tech career to pursue his vision of making math as engaging as social media. An IIT Guwahati graduate, he built Matiks as a gamified learning platform where mental math becomes thrilling global duels. Alongside co-founders Sushant Timmapur, a national mental math champion, and Sudhanshu Bhatia, a world champion, Mohan has created a fast-growing community of math enthusiasts, proving that learning can be as addictive and exciting as gaming.

Dr. Nabil Ahmed

Co-founder, Lifetime Health

Dr. Nabil Ahmed is redefining care at home with the first 30-minute home-care network. A healthcare professional by training, he is building a system that makes treatment fast, reliable, and accessible. Lifetime Health delivers European-quality care through certified nurses, physiotherapists, and medics who reach patients in 30 minutes. As Dr. Nabil says: “Transforming care from a system you wait for, to a service that comes to you.

Neeraj Sharma

CEO & Founder, Recyclaro.com

Neeraj is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in international trade and supply chains across Europe, the USA, and Latin America. An IIM Kozhikode alumnus, he founded Recyclaro.com—a transformative B2B marketplace for metals, batteries, plastics, and e-waste. With a vision to blend sustainability, technology, and scale, Neeraj is pioneering a global disruptor in circular economy sourcing, driving efficiency, transparency, and ESG impact.

Nishit Kumar Sood

CEO, BYLD Group

Nishit is a dynamic entrepreneur who has successfully built six businesses across HR Services, Enterprise SaaS, and Fintech, scaling revenues from ₹4 Cr to ₹500 Cr over 16 years. Honored with awards such as 40 Under 40 Indian Leaders by World Brand Affairs and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 by The Economic Times, Nishit also contributes through leadership roles in CII, YI, and FICCI.

Nishka Mehta

Founder, Art Beat and Paint Bar

Nishka is a self-taught artist and Christ University marketing graduate who has redefined Bengaluru’s art scene. With 12+ years of experience, 85+ wall murals, and 300+ workshops hosting 6,000+ participants nationwide, she champions making art accessible. Through Art Beat’s customized creations and Paint Bar’s engaging workshops, Nishka proves that anyone can paint and take home their own masterpiece.

Ojaswini Kapoor

CEO, Bloom IVF Group

Ojaswini is an accomplished healthcare management leader with 18+ years of expertise in healthcare marketing, administration, and corporate communication. An alumna of IIM Ahmedabad & Miranda House, she is recognized for her impactful speaker sessions, workshops, and published articles. With international exposure, multiple awards for Bloom IVF, and features in eminent media, she actively contributes as a member of NGO All India Foundation of Deaf Women.

Pulkit Baldev

Co-founder, Metalbook

Pulkit started his career with Tata Steel after completing his post-graduation from IIM Shillong and graduation from Delhi Technological University. He then launched Metalbook in 2021, a company which aims to digitise the metal industry on a global scale. Pulkit has also made to the Forbes list, selected as Forbes 30 under 30 Asia & Forbes 30 under 30 India. He was also awarded with ET 40 under 40 & Inspiring Leaders award.

Rakesh Jena

CEO, Just Tutors

Rakesh Jena is a seasoned professional with 14+ years of P&L experience across Education, Apparel, Manufacturing, E-Commerce, and IT. With hands-on expertise in Operations, Sales, Business Development, and Technology, he is passionate about India’s start-up ecosystem and an active angel investor. He envisions upskilling students in new-age technologies to position India as a global innovation hub.

Ria Rustagi

Founder & CEO, Sychedelic

Ria Rustagi is the driving force behind Sychedelic, premium smart headphones designed specifically for hustlers and people with a founder mindset who need to grow at all costs. These headphones enable hustlers to track their body and mind, and achieve better productivity and sleep with the proprietary Boost Mode.

Rohit Bajaj

Founder & CEO, SmartQR Technologies, Director, Healthledger Diagnostics, Founder, VGI Pharma

Rohit Bajaj is redefining healthcare by integrating diagnostics, AI, and genomics to make precision medicine accessible worldwide. As Founder & CEO of SmartQR Technologies, he is building advanced point-of-care devices delivering lab-grade accuracy at patients’ doorsteps. His leadership spans Healthledger Diagnostics and VGI Pharma, giving him end-to-end expertise from pharma to MedTech. A serial entrepreneur and visionary, Rohit is pioneering globally scalable, affordable solutions that put preventive and personalized healthcare at the forefront.

Sambit Ghosh

Founder & Chief Business Officer, Healthledger Pvt. Ltd.

Sambit Ghosh is transforming India’s healthcare landscape through Healthledger Private Limited, which powers Healthledger Diagnostics, Plexus Global Health Network, and SmartQR Technologies. Under his leadership, Healthledger Diagnostics spans 25 cities, serving 15 million people, with plans for 3,000+ centers by 2025. A former leader at unicorns and IPO-bound firms, Sambit blends entrepreneurial vision and collaborative leadership to build integrated, tech-enabled healthcare networks that ensure access, affordability, and innovation at scale.

Shovankar Roy

Founder & CEO, Ragilly Technologies and Finigenie

Shovankar is a forward-thinking entrepreneur with 15+ years of expertise in e-commerce, exports, and financial automation. With a Disruptive Strategy certification from Harvard Business School Online, he has built ventures across India, UAE, and the UK, blending technology with global market insights to drive automation, smart payment solutions, and sustainable value creation for businesses worldwide.

Dr. Shreyasi Sharma

Founder, The Fetal Medicine and Genetics Centre, Gurugram

Dr. Shreyasi Sharma is an internationally renowned fetal medicine specialist. She tirelessly spreads awareness about this emerging yet impactful field. Her approach combines state-of-the-art technology and expert care with compassion, skillfully managing complex cases. She offers hope to both fetus and families, guided by the Vedic belief: “गर्भे शिशुः आरोग्यम् वर्धताम्”—may every child grow healthy in the womb.

Subhash Bishnoi

Managing Director, CEO & Founder, Elevate Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.

Subhash Bishnoi is a seasoned insurance professional with over 15 years of expertise in corporate risk management, strategic placement, and claims advocacy. As Founder of Elevate Insurance Brokers, he is redefining industry standards with innovation, transparency, and client-focused solutions, building long-term trust while driving sustainable growth and service excellence.

Sudarshan Bhamare

COO, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre

Sudarshan is leading the flagship business of HCG group of Hospitals, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre in Ahmedabad. Gujarat’s first Private Cancer Centre backed by India's largest surgical team. He is an alumnus of Symbiosis, Pune & completed specialised training in healthcare analytics from IIM Bangalore. In his earlier assignment, he was heading Apollo Adlux Hospital, Kochi, as CEO.

Sudhanshu Bhatia

Co-founder, Matiks

Sudhanshu is a national record holder in mental math and gold medalist at the Junior Mental Calculation World Cup in Germany. An IIT Guwahati alumnus, he began his career at American Express in analytics before merging his love for numbers with product innovation. Alongside Mohan Kumar and Sushant Timmapur, he built Matiks—a platform turning mental math into a competitive global sport that has attracted 100,000+ users in under a year.

Sushant Timmapur

Co-founder, Mtakis

Sushant discovered his passion early, becoming a national mental math champion at nine. A multi-sport competitor and IIT Guwahati graduate, he began his career as a Product Designer at Flipkart before channeling his love for numbers and competition into Matiks. Alongside Mohan Kumar and Sudhanshu Bhatia, he is transforming cognitive fitness into a global sport. With 100,000+ users in under a year, Sushant envisions math duels as engaging as any physical game.

Suhail Manocha

Founder, Butter Money

Suhail Manocha, founder of Butter Money, a fintech startup transforming India’s mortgage industry with AI-led digital solutions. An ISB MBA with a decade in fintech and consulting, he has led strategy at Jupiter Money and governance reforms at Samagra. Inspired by personal challenges in securing a home loan, he built Butter Money to make mortgages transparent, fast, and effortless, already scaling across major metros.

Sumit Bhat

Founder, Planto.AI & Reducate.AI 

Sumit Bhat, IIT-BHU alumnus and Olympiad gold medalist, is driving the future of education and enterprise AI through his ventures Reducate.AI and Planto.AI. Reducate.AI has empowered 1,00,000+ learners via Coding Jr, bringing AI, robotics, and coding labs to 50+ cities, and Coding Pro, establishing AI and Data Science centers in universities. With Planto.AI, India’s first AI-powered enterprise OS, he enables workflow automation and decision acceleration. Recognized by ET as an Inspiring Leader, Sumit champions India’s AI-led future.

Tanya Malik-Chawla

India’s First Biohacker and Founder of The Longevity Lab

Tanya is a translational scientist in functional and clinical nutrition, TEDx speaker, and leading functional health coach. With 14 years of experience and advanced training in functional medicine, she pioneers personalized healing protocols using bio-data, empowering individuals to reverse chronic conditions and achieve optimal longevity.

Varun Srivastava

Founder, Ledge Advisors

Varun, an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and Computer Science graduate from IIT Kharagpur, he brings over a decade of investing experience and leadership across Goldman Sachs, Ola, and InCred, where he was Business Head of Digital Lending. His passion for markets and financial independence inspired the launch of Ledge Advisors. Ledge Advisors a SEBI-registered advisory firm, partners with clients on their wealth creation journey. 

Vipul Agrawal

Director, Sunil Agrawal & Associates

Vipul Agrawal, second-generation entrepreneur and real estate marketing expert, is redefining the industry with strategic innovation and technology integration. As Director at Sunil Agrawal & Associates, he has expanded the firm’s footprint, strengthened its multi-vertical presence, and earned prestigious accolades, establishing himself as a trusted advisor and transformative industry leader.