Raj
February 5, 2024
8 min read
319Forbes India has released its list of Forbes 30 Under 30 for the year 2021. Spanning across a wide range of categories, these 30 young leaders were picked for daring to do something different. They are entrepreneurs, designers, innovators, sports stars, and even actors.
The path to make it to this list is not easy. From the 255 names submitted across 17 categories, Forbes India’s editorial team managed to drill down to the 30 most important names. The competition for the prestigious title was close with the jury having to pick two winners in some categories.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2021 has managed to stand out with limited resources, proving that indeed anything is possible. They did not let the pandemic get in the way and used it as an opportunity to succeed. That’s the spirit we at Onsurity love to have. Which is why we want to highlight these Forbes 30 Under 30 winners.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2021
Shefali Vijaywargiya
Role: Brand Manager, Amul Kool
Breaking into sales is not an easy achievement. Shefali not just managed to break in, but really stand out. Thanks to her, Amul managed to grab 30% of the elusive diced cheese market in just two months. During the pandemic, she managed to help Amul deliver 23 drinks to the market.
Niharika Kapoor
Role: APAC Lead, YouTube Community
Niharika is the youngest, as well as the first female business lead for YouTube India. If those credentials aren’t enough, she has been pivotal in the launch of programs like NextUp and FanFest. Today she manages the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, a testament to her ability to think different.
Amandeep Panwar, Rishabh Choudhary
Roles: CEO and CTO, BharatRohan Airborne Innovations
To help India’s farmers, Amandeep and Rishabh decided to do something different. So the duo invented a drone with hyperspectral imaging to identify pest infestations before they become a major issue. The duo has helped improve farmers yields, and also profitability in a very short time span.
Harshit Gupta
Role: Co-founder, Gramophone
Harshit has today impacted over 6 lakh farmers, helping improve their yields through data-backed advice. From weather and price updates to crop disease and machines, Gramophone’s Krishi Mitra app is the go-to for farmers in Madhya Pradesh. It’s a great example of Digital India in action.
Biraaj Dodiya
Role: Artist
Known for her work on themes like distance, absence and more, Biraaj’s work has captured the attention of many Indians. She opened her first solo show at the Experimenter Gallery in Kolkata. That’s no small feat at such a young age, which is why she deserves to be on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Nishita and Nikita Baliarsingh
Roles: CEO and COO, Nexus
The sisters have envisioned a future beyond lithium-ion batteries. So they built protein-based ones instead, saving the environment and providing a clean alternative. That’s just one of the many achievements of these two young siblings. Their entrepreneurial streak has enabled them to really stand out as innovators.
Ishaan Preet Singh, Mikhil Raj
Roles: Co-founders, FrontRow
EdTech is hot business right now. Buidling on that demand, Ishaan and Mikhil built FrontRow, a platform for arts and sports. With skill-based courses taught by celebrities like Biswa Kalyan Rath, Suresh Raina and Neha Kakkar, the duo have rethought how education should be done.
Aaquib Wani
Role: Founder, Aaquib Wani Design
From guitarist to designer, Aaquib’s journey is quite the story. Today, his studio helps give indigenous artists a platform to express their talents. He has decided to forgo the profits, in favour of preserving India’s traditional art styles, helping artists survive the pandemic.
Ashish Chanchlani
Role: YouTuber & social media content creator
The comedian and entertainer has gripped Indian audiences with his viral vines. Having 23.4 million subscribers is no joke, which is why he is part of this elusive Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He has also won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards.
Abhiraj Rajadhyaksha, Niyati Mavinkurve
Role: Digital content creators
Abhi and Niyu have become popular for keeping their audience’s spirits up amidst the grim reality of the pandemic. But, they have also been willing to walk the less popular path, highlighting key issues like mental health, politics and sanitation. They sure made it easy to get 708,000 followers on Instagram!
Sidharth Oberoi
Role: Founder & CEO, LetsShave
This young entrepreneur has taken the direct-to-consumer route for his shaving brand. That has helped his business make a dent in the rising men’s grooming market. With this unique approach, Sidharth is taking on the MNCs and showcasing just how dangerous a young startup can be.
Satanik Roy
Role: Co-founder, HyperXchange
We use AI for everything, so why not for refurbished goods? That’s exactly what Satanik’s startup does. The mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur is helping millions buy their first phone, knowing it is safe and in good condition. He’s also the author of two books and numerous articles.
Poulomi Pavini Shukla
Role: Lawyer, author
If being a Supreme Court lawyer at just 28 is huge, imagine being an author and activist as well. Poulomi is currently fighting for orphans to get a shot at education, by filing a PIL for reservation for orphans. That’s the kind of uniquness that deserves to be highlighted by the 30 Under 30 list.
Mukul Rustagi, Bhaswat Agarwal
Role: Co-founders, Classpluss
With education centres closed due to COVID-19, Mukul and Bhaswat came up with an idea – Classpluss. The app allows coaching centres to go digital, and currently boasts of over 50,000 educators on the platform. It really is a new school of thought!
Nitin Jayakrishnan
Role: Founder & CEO, PandoCorp
Logistics is often a chaotic, confusing process. That’s why Nitin decided to do something about it. His startup PandoCorp provides logistics managements for businesses. It’s so successful, the company is used by many Fortune 500 and global blue-chips, helping save precious time and money.
Keerthy Suresh
Role: Actor
The South Indian star has become a sensation on the screen. Keerthy won the National Film Award for Best Actress in 2019, just one of the many feathers in her cap. Gearing up for a busy 2021, Keerthy’s skills will see her take on several challenging roles.
Tripti Dimri
Role: Actor
Having received plenty of praise for Bulbbul, Tripti is on her way to take on more challenging roles. Breaking the “outsider” stereotype in Bollywood along the way. From a model to a TV actor to making it big on the silver screen, Tripti has come a long way in a short span of time.
Karan Torani
Role: Founder, Torani
This Forbes 30 Under 30 winner decided to take the road less travelled by. House of Torani deals with luxury wear for middle-aged women. Not only has he made it big, but he managed to help ensure his 250 employees weren’t penniless as a result of the pandemic.
Akash Sinha
Role: CEO, Cashfree
As India increasingly shifts towards digital payments. Akash is focused on providing value and support for businesses. With innovative features like instant settlements and bulk payments, Cashfree is on a mission to help get more Indian business onto the digital payments ecosystem
Santanu Agarwal
Role: Deputy CEO, Paisalo Digital
Getting loans can be difficult, especially for MSMEs with limited incomes. Santanu’s solution is to offer loans to these businesses, helping them survive the pandemic and grow. With seamless banking solutions for those with limited access to them, Santanu is helping India’s businesses grow.
Aurko Bhattacharjee
Role: Director, CXO Office, Oyo Hotels & Homes
A close aid of Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal, Aurko has been at the forefront of Oyo’s response to the pandemic. He has been communicating with Oyo’s various stakeholders, helping the company and the travel industry stay afloat at a critical time.
Keerthi Reddy Kotta
Role: Co-founder & COO, StaTwig
Vaccinating the nation is no easy task. That’s why Keerthi’s solution is vital. StaTwig provides blockchain-enabled supply chain management for help deliver vaccines faster and safer. StaTwig has been funded by the UNICEF Innovation Fund, a huge badge of honour for this young entrepreneur.
Mudit Dandwate, Gaurav Parchani
Roles: Co-founders, CEO and CTO, Dozee
COVID-19 meant we had to go contactless. To enable that, Dozee built a contactless health monitor to track vital chronic conditions. Just by tracking your sleep, the monitor can identify a host of issues, helping build a healthier India.
Saurabh Singhal, Vaishali Gupta, Mohit Jain
Roles: Co-founders, mCaffeine
If you love your caffeine in the morning, you will love mCaffiene. The business provides personal care products with caffeine that are 100% vegan. With hair and skin products, the company is really changing notions of beauty and all over India.
Ritviz Srivastava
Role: Musician
Udd Gaye is just one of the many quirky beats Ritviz has created. Today, he ranks as one of the most-streamed Indie artists on Spotify. His contemporary twist on classical Indian music has made him a viral sensation, both at house parties and beyond.
Maalavika Manoj
Role: Singer, songwriter, and composer
“Mali” is one of the most recognized Indian artists in India today, having composed and sung a variety of film tracks and solo albums. In 2017, her song Dreaming was ranked second in Rolling Stones’ 10 best Indian singles. A Forbes 30 Under 30 to watch out for, that’s for sure!
Piyush Verma
Role: Founder & CEO, Manush Labs
Entrepreneurs in Tier 2 and 3 cities of India often lack access to vital tools, so Piyush founded Manush Labs. He provides entrepreneurs for smaller cities with mentorship, access to funding and markets. Thanks to him, many Indian entrepreneurs have managed to make it big.
Neelam Jain, Nishant Agarwal
Roles: Co-founders, CEO and COO, PeriFerry
India’s transgender community often suffer social exclusion, leaving them behind. To correct this, Neelam and Nishan founded PeriFerry, with the goal of providing education and careers for the community. Their dedication has seen India become a more inclusive and welcoming soceity.
Priyanka Das Rajkakati
Role: PhD student, ISAE-Supaéro, and artist
It’s not every day you get to send your artwork to the moon. But that’s exactly what Priyanka did. The aerospace engineer has also been selected for an exclusive scientific expedition to Antarctica. With her eye on space, this is one Forbes 30 Under 30 winner who has truly dared to be different!
Shubman Gill
Role: Cricketer
From his heroics in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, Gill has quicky risen to become a key part of the senior Indian team. He is the youngest Indian to score a first class double century and played a vital role in India’s test series win in Australia earlier this year. Big things expected from this young man!
Each and every member deserves to be on this list. Their passion, dedication and innovation have helped make India a safer, healthier and happier place for all of us. Onsurity wishes all these young achievers the very best in the future. Just like them, we too believe in an inclusive and healthy India. That’s why we are working hard to deliver employee healthcare benefits to MSMEs and startups.
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