Radhakishan Damani, a stalwart in the world of investment and the founder of the retail giant D-Mart, takes center stage as the frontrunner on the Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2023. The recently released report by IDFC FIRST Private Hurun India unveils Damani’s remarkable market capitalization of Rs 2.38 lakh crore, showcasing his unparalleled influence in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Close on Damani’s heels are the dynamic duo, Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, founders of the e-commerce powerhouse Flipkart. Their equity value of Rs 1.19 lakh crore secures them a prominent spot on the list, highlighting the profound impact of their contributions to the business world.
The lineup of exceptional entrepreneurs extends to include notable figures such as Deepinder Goyal of Zomato and the Dream11 promoters, Bhavit Sheth and Harish Jain. Their market caps of Rs 86,835 crore and equity value of Rs 66,452 crore, respectively, underscore the diverse sectors represented in this elite group.
A striking revelation from the report is that eight out of the top 10 most valuable companies founded in the millennium are startups. In total, 405 founders have paved the way for valuable enterprises since the year 2000. Over 56 percent of these visionaries have an engineering background, with 10 being chartered accountants and 7 holding medical degrees.
IIT Delhi emerges as the favored undergraduate institution for 38 founders, followed by IIT Mumbai with 24 entrepreneurs and IIT Kharagpur with 20 entrepreneurs. Collectively, the companies featured in the list boast a staggering worth of Rs 30 lakh crore, mirroring the GDP of Denmark.
Among the notable individuals on the list is Kaivalya Vohra, a 21-year-old co-founder of the grocery delivery app Zepto, claiming the title of the youngest entrepreneur. Falguni Nayar from Nykaa stands out as the top woman entrepreneur, while Ghazal Alagh from Mamaearth and Saumya Singh Rathore from Winzo, both 35 years old, represent the youngest women on the list.
Hailing from 23 cities across India, the entrepreneurs are predominantly clustered in Bengaluru (129), followed by Mumbai (78), Gurugram, and New Delhi (49). Bengaluru’s prominence as the preferred launchpad for companies, as highlighted by Anas Rahman Junaid, reflects the dynamic and diverse landscape of Indian entrepreneurship.
Vikas Sharma, Head of Wealth Management and Private Banking at IDFC, acknowledges the report’s significance, stating, “The list showcases the immense talent, innovation, and accomplishments of India’s visionary founders, those who are propelling the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to new heights.”
