India has become a global startup powerhouse due to its economic growth and culture of entrepreneurship. The country’s flourishing startup ecosystem, which has made India the third-largest startup hub in the world, is celebrated through National Startup Day, observed on January 16. This year, India marked the ninth anniversary of Startup India, a revolutionary initiative launched in 2016.
This day celebrates the achievements of startups in the Indian economy and the motivational stories of businesspeople who have had the dedication to pursue their dreams. From entrepreneurs like Ritesh Agarwal to Peyush Bansal, many prominent figures in this field have inspiring stories.
These individuals, known for their business accomplishments, also have strong educational backgrounds that have contributed to their success. Let’s explore the educational qualifications of some of the top startup founders.
Vineeta Singh, Co-founder & CEO of Sugar Cosmetics
Vineeta Singh was born in Anand, Gujarat, India, in 1983. From 1987 to 2001, she attended Delhi Public School R. K. Puram in New Delhi for her schooling. She completed a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. While at IIT Madras, she did a three-month summer internship with ITC Limited in Kolkata. She earned an MBA in 2005 from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. During her MBA, she interned for three months at Deutsche Bank in New York and London. In New York, she worked in the strategic equity transaction department, while in London, she worked with the emerging markets structuring team.
Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals
Namita Thapar, an investor on Shark Tank India and the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is a phenomenally successful entrepreneur. She completed her schooling in Pune. After her schooling, Namita enrolled in Savitribai Phule Pune University’s B.Com programme. During this time, she also worked towards earning her ICAI Chartered Accountancy degree. She later pursued an MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Durham, North Carolina.
Aman Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at boAt
Aman Gupta completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, New Delhi. He then attended Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree. From 1999 to 2002, he studied accounting, finance, and chartered accountancy at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He later earned an MBA in Finance and Strategy at the Indian School of Business and participated in a student exchange programme at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2011, where he worked towards an MBA in General Management and Marketing.
Anupam Mittal, Founder & CEO of People Group and Shaadi.com
Anupam Mittal, born in Mumbai, completed his schooling at Jai Hind College. He then earned his MBA in operations and strategic management from Boston College in Massachusetts. He is well-known for founding the People Group and serving as CEO of Shaadi.com. Mittal is also a technology-driven entrepreneur, having founded internet businesses before the dot-com bubble. Additionally, he has produced Bollywood films such as Flavors and 99 under the People Group banner.
Peyush Bansal, Founder & CEO of Lenskart
Born in Delhi, Peyush Bansal started his schooling at New Delhi’s Don Bosco School. His academic journey took him to prestigious institutions like McGill University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. He later enrolled in the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, for the Management Programme for Entrepreneurs and Family Businesses (MPEFB).
Ghazal Alagh, Co-founder and Chief Mama of Mamaearth
Entrepreneur Ghazal Alagh is the Chief ‘Mama’ of the natural cosmetics company Mamaearth. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Applications from Punjab University. In 2013, she completed a Summer Intensive Modern Art Course in Design and Applied Arts. That same year, she finished a demanding course at the New York Academy of Art in figurative painting.
Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms
Ritesh began his education at Sacred Heart School in Rayagada, Odisha, before moving to St. John’s Senior Secondary School in Meerut Cantt, Uttar Pradesh, where he completed his schooling. He later went to Kota, Rajasthan, to prepare for the IIT entrance exam. In 2011, he enrolled in the University of London International Programme at the Indian School of Business and Finance in Delhi but eventually dropped out.
Byju Raveendran, Founder of BYJU’s
Byju Raveendran, the founder of BYJU’S, was born on January 5, 1980, in Azhikode village, Kerala. He attended a Malayalam-medium school where his parents were teachers. After completing his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) from the Government College of Engineering, Kannur, he worked as a service engineer for an international shipping company.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder of Paytm
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm, completed his schooling in Harduaganj, a small town near Aligarh. At just 15 years old, he enrolled at Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technological University) and graduated with a B.Tech degree at 19. After graduating in 1997, he launched indiasite.net.
Falguni Nayar, Founder of Nykaa
Falguni Nayar earned her postgraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Management in 1985 and completed her B.Com from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics. With nearly three decades of experience, she has built a successful career in investment banking, broking, and e-commerce.
