Top 10 Influential Business Leaders In India 2023

Amidst the fervent spirit of innovation and strategic acumen, the 10 most influential business leaders in India have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering growth, driving transformative change, and pioneering novel paradigms across diverse sectors. These trailblazers, through their foresight, resilience, and unwavering determination, have not only left an indelible mark on the Indian business sphere but have also become beacons of inspiration for generations to come.

1. Vaibhav Maloo, MD, ENSO GROUP

Vaibhav Maloo, the dynamic managing director of Enso Group, embodies a rare blend of profound expertise and a relentless passion for continuous learning. A visionary leader since the group’s inception, Vaibhav has cultivated a unique work culture at Enso, where every voice finds a receptive ear, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. With an impressive academic background, including degrees from esteemed institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge, his knowledge spans diverse industries, from cloud infrastructure to critical agricultural elements like Potash fertilizer. Throughout his two-decade career, Vaibhav has demonstrated exceptional resilience, steering Enso Group through challenging situations, such as the Ebola health crisis in Africa, with strategic finesse and insightful leadership. As the President of Enso Foundation, his commitment to empowering lives resonates through the Foundation’s initiatives, illuminating paths to health and prosperity. A published author and celebrated columnist, Vaibhav’s thought-provoking articles delve into a broad spectrum of topics, captivating readers with his profound insights. With an unwavering belief in the potential of the Indian economy and an enduring love for Mumbai and its monsoons, Vaibhav Maloo continues to inspire and drive Enso Group towards unparalleled success.

2. Dr. Sunil Reddy Bodanapu, Founder & CEO, Nushift

Dr. Sunil Reddy Bodanapu is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions in revolutionizing the healthcare landscape. As an alumnus of Kakatiya Medical College and the Indian School of Business, his diverse educational background serves as a strong foundation for his multifaceted approach to healthcare challenges. Leveraging his extensive medical background, Dr. Bodanapu has effectively bridged the gap between clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology.

With a profound understanding of the intricacies of healthcare delivery, he has successfully established numerous healthcare organizations and medical centers, each reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. His strategic leadership and avant-garde thinking have propelled Nushift Technologies, a venture he founded and currently leads as CEO, to the forefront of the healthcare technology sphere. Through Nushift Technologies, he envisions a more interconnected and collaborative healthcare ecosystem, empowered by state-of-the-art tools and technologies that optimize patient care and streamline operational efficiency. Dr. Bodanapu’s relentless pursuit of advancing healthcare solutions continues to shape the future of the industry, with his visionary initiatives poised to redefine the standards of patient-centric care and transform the healthcare experience globally.

3. Kumar Suresh, CEO, PAYBIZ

Kumar Suresh, the visionary CEO of Paybiz Technologies India Private Limited, stands as a towering figure within India’s dynamic fintech landscape. His profound impact on reshaping payment systems in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns are widely acknowledged. Mr. Suresh’s journey is backed by a robust educational foundation highlighted by his completion of the prestigious fintech course at IIM Nagpur. Guiding Paybiz, a dynamic fintech startup based in Chennai, Kumar Suresh spearheads a diverse range of cutting-edge technology solutions. These solutions cater to the seamless acceptance of online and offline payments with a specialized focus on Aadhar-enabled transactions.

His rich professional history boasts tenures with eminent corporate entities such as BG Broadband, Videocon Mobiles & Telecommunications, NTT Docomo, and Payism Technologies. Leveraging this extensive experience, Mr. Suresh has successfully established and led Paybiz Technologies, which, in a mere two years, has empowered over 1500 merchants with digital payment solutions. This impressive feat has culminated in a remarkable monthly turnover of ₹150 Crores. Kumar Suresh’s unwavering commitment to elevating payment systems in smaller markets have not only distinguished him as a business luminary but also solidified his influence within the Indian business landscape.

4. Sajay Moolankodan Seasoned Serial Entrepreneur Go Fish Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., ME Biz and CaSa de Spirits Pvt. Ltd.

In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s entertainment marketing sector, Sajay Moolankodan has emerged as a visionary force, firmly establishing his reputation as Serial Entrepreneur. With an impressive 24-year track record, he stands as a pioneering figure, steering a spectrum of Entertainment marketing solutions. As the Founder and Director of Go Fish Entertainmen, Sajay’s astute leadership has propelled the company to the forefront of the Entertainment Marketing domain. His strategic acumen has fostered seamless collaborations with renowned brands and celebrities, cementing Go Fish’s status as a trailblazer in the field.

Sajay’s remarkable contributions to Go Fish have led him down the path of a seasoned serial entrepreneur. He also spearheads the thriving PR firm, ME BIZ, orchestrating the rise of both domestic and international brands in the media spotlight. Furthermore, his entrepreneurial prowess shines brightly as a founding force behind CaSa de Spirits Pvt, emphasizing his versatile and multifaceted approach to business ventures.

5. Manju Mastakar, Managing Director, Armstrong

Manju Mastakar, the Managing Director at Armstrong Capital and Financial Services Pvt Ltd, is a seasoned financial advisor with over 26 years of diverse experience in the investment advisory domain. Starting her career as an intern in a CA firm, Manju swiftly ascended the ranks in various prestigious institutions, displaying remarkable resilience and adaptability. Her entrepreneurial journey, which began in 2009, exemplifies her tenacity and innovative spirit, steering her through initial struggles with a lean budget and limited resources.

Her customer-centric approach has been the cornerstone of her success, fostering trust and long-term relationships with clients. Manju’s leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, fostering a learning-oriented environment, and nurturing talent within her team. Under her guidance, Armstrong has emerged as a progressive organization, providing employees with ample opportunities for growth and development. With a passion for wealth building and a commitment to excellence, Manju continues to leave a mark in the finance industry, driven by a profound dedication to her clients financial well-being.

6. Sudhir kunder, CBO, DE-CIX India

Sudhir Kunder, the Chief Business Officer at DE-CIX India, has been the driving force behind the Company’s impressive growth in the interconnection landscape. With over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, FMCG, retail, and ICT industries, Sudhir has held key positions in reputable organizations like Tata Communications, Tata Teleservices, Bharti Airtel, and Sify Technologies.

Under Sudhir’s leadership, DE-CIX India has risen to the top spot as Largest Interconnection Platform in India, and DE-CIX Mumbai has maintained its unassailable lead as Asia Pacific’s No. 1 Interconnection Platform in terms of connected networks amongst 153 exchanges in 29 countries for the last 25months.

His customer-centric approach has been instrumental in guiding various aspects of DE-CIX’s business, leading to unprecedented growth in revenues, EBITA, DSO, and new acquisitions within a short period of 3.5 years.

Sudhir’s management style, which focuses on situational leadership, reflects his ability to adapt as an innovator or activator. His dedication to ensuring seamless connectivity even during challenging times, such as lockdowns, demonstrates his commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

With leadership training from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Tata Management Training Centre, along with an MBA from KC College, Sudhir Kunder’s journey with DE-CIX has showcased his expertise and leadership, making DE-CIX India a role model for accelerated business growth within the interconnection industry.

7. Deepak Aggarwal, Co-Founder, Moneyboxx Finance

Deepak Aggarwal, the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and CFO of Moneyboxx , is a distinguished figure in the financial services industry, with over 19 years of expertise. As a seasoned Chartered Accountant, Deepak’s illustrious career includes stints at renowned institutions like Bank of America, KPMG, GE Capital, and Infosys. Notably, he founded Avancer Capital Partners, a venture that successfully raised over INR 2,000 crores in debt and equity for its clients. At Moneyboxx, Deepak’s strategic prowess, financial acumen, and credit underwriting skills have played a pivotal role in the company’s mission to impact 1 million lives in the next 5 years. His leadership has effectively addressed not just credit gaps for micro and small enterprises but also operational improvement in borrower businesses, championing financial inclusion in Tier-III and beyond cities. Deepak Aggarwal’s strong business acumen and unwavering commitment to social impact make him a transformative force in the Indian business landscape.

In addition to Deepak Aggarwal’s contributions, Mayur Modi, the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and COO of Moneyboxx, is another integral part of the team. With extensive experience at GE Capital, JP Morgan, and HSBC, Mayur has played a crucial role in shaping Moneyboxx’s long-term vision. His operational expertise and strategic vision have been instrumental in driving Moneyboxx’s growth and success. Together, Deepak and Mayur are leading the charge in bringing financial empowerment and inclusion to underserved micro-enterprises in India, making a significant impact on the industry and the lives of countless individuals.

8. Akshay Dipali, Founder, Nasch

Akshay Dipali is the Founder of Nasch.io, a company dedicated to revolutionizing workplace culture. His unwavering commitment to this cause stems from personal experiences in toxic work environments in the past. Akshay is on a mission to ignite global change by leveraging a unique fusion of AI and psychology, enabling organizations to implement customized and scalable cultural transformations. His impact spans across diverse business sizes, from small enterprises with just 45 team members to large public corporations, leading to significant enhancements in workplace culture. With a track record of successfully establishing startups, Akshay is also passionate about mentoring budding entrepreneurs. He fervently supports early-stage founders on their journey to success. Beyond his professional endeavours, Akshay is a vocal advocate for mental wellness. He consistently strives to incorporate well-being principles into Nasch’s solutions for clients, promoting the creation of healthy and supportive work environments.

9. Piyush Makharia, CFO, StockGro

Piyush Makharia is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 12+ years of extensive experience working with renowned MNCs, Big 4 firms and Private Equity & VC Funds. His expertise extends across multiple facets of finance, with his primary focus lying on driving M&A Transactions, PE/VC investments and navigating the intricate web of taxes & regulatory fields.

As the CFO, he heads Finance & Corporate Development for the company. StockGro, under Piyush’s guidance, has raised a staggering $40 million from global institutional investors. This achievement speaks volumes about his capabilities in facilitating intricate financial transactions and capturing investors’ trust globally. He has also received the prestigious BW Finance 40 under 40, and BW Young CFO Award in the Startup category. Piyush’s recognition and awards mirror StockGro’s commitment to changing how people approach stock trading and personal finance by blending education, social interaction, and trading in one platform, catering to more than 25 million users.

10. Jyoti Thakur, CEO and founder, Business Era Magazine

Jyoti Thakur, the visionary CEO and founder of Business Era Magazine, epitomizes the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. With a profound commitment to fostering knowledge dissemination and business insights, she has propelled Business Era into a leading publication, renowned for its cutting-edge analysis and thought-provoking content. Jyoti Thakur's astute leadership has steered the magazine to great heights, making it a vital resource for industry leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. Her strategic acumen and forward-thinking approach have not only expanded the magazine's global outreach but also established it as a beacon for emerging business trends and practices.

A trailblazer in her own right, Jyoti Thakur has championed diversity and inclusivity within the business landscape, advocating for equal opportunities and empowerment for all. Her unwavering dedication to excellence, coupled with her profound understanding of market dynamics, continues to shape Business Era's trajectory, setting new standards for business journalism and thought leadership.