Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs Of Millennia 2024: This 69-Year-Old-Retail Mogul Tops

Radhakishan Damani, the 69-year-old retail mogul behind Avenue Supermarts, has firmly established himself as the top self-made entrepreneur of the millennium with a notable valuation of Rs 3.42 lakh crore. His flagship company, DMart, saw a 44% growth in value this year, continuing its strong upward trajectory according to IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024 list.

In FY 2024, Avenue Supermarts reported a 19% revenue increase, reinforcing its position as the most valuable Indian company launched in the millennia. From humble beginnings in 2002

Who else is on the list? 

Deepinder Goyal's Zomato

Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Gurugram-based food delivery platform Zomato, claims the second spot with a remarkable valuation of Rs 2.51 lakh crore, marking a 190% increase from the previous year. Goyal, who originally conceived Zomato while working at Bain, identified a gap in the market for food ordering and menus. From its humble start as FoodieBay in 2008, Zomato has grown into a leading player in India's food delivery ecosystem and creating a brand that has become synonymous with dining out.

Swiggy Founders Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy

Holding the third spot are Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy, co-founders of Swiggy, with a valuation of Rs 1.01 lakh crore, reflecting a 52% growth. Founded in 2014, Swiggy has grown from an e-commerce logistics company into one of India’s largest food delivery platforms, operating in over 580 cities as of mid-2023. Initially, Majety and Reddy launched Bundl, a courier service startup, but pivoted to food delivery after identifying the growing demand for online food ordering.

MakeMyTrip's Deep Kalra and Rajesh Magow

Deep Kalra and Rajesh Magow, the co-founders of MakeMyTrip, have surged to the fourth spot with a valuation of Rs 99,300 crore. Founded in 2000, MakeMyTrip revolutionized the Indian travel industry, initially focusing on the US-India market. Kalra’s strategic foresight and Magow’s leadership helped the company navigate through challenging times, including the pandemic and the merger with Ibibo group.

Max Healthcare's Abhay Soi

Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare Institute, ranks fifth with a valuation of Rs 96,100 crore. Soi has been important in transforming Max Healthcare, leveraging funding from JP Morgan and KKR to expand the company's reach and capabilities. Through strategic acquisitions, including the turnaround of Dr BL Kapur Memorial Hospital in Delhi and Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, Soi’s leadership has put Max Healthcare on the map as one of India’s premier healthcare institutions. 

Policybazaar's Founders Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal

Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal, founders of PolicyBazaar, have secured the sixth spot with a valuation of Rs 78,600 crore, marking a 128% increase. Their platform, launched in 2008, has played important role in making insurance more transparent and accessible to the masses. By simplifying insurance offerings and addressing widespread concerns like mis-selling, PolicyBazaar has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor in the financial services industry. 

Dream11’s Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain

Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain, the co-founders of Dream11, have secured the seventh spot with a valuation of Rs 66,500 crore. Launched in 2008, Dream11 became India’s first gaming unicorn and transformed the way Indians engage with sports. The company’s rise during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season highlights the power of digital platforms in tapping into the nation’s passion for cricket. 

Zerodha's Nithin and Nikhil Kamath

Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, the brothers behind Zerodha, secured the eighth spot with a valuation of Rs 64,800 crore. Founded in 2010, Zerodha has democratised stock market investing and trading, offering a cost-effective and accessible platform for Indian investors. Nithin Kamath, with a background in trading and finance, has transformed Zerodha into India’s largest stock brokerage firm by volume. 

Meanwhile, Nikhil Kamath’s entrepreneurial ventures, including launching the “WTF Fund,” aim to support young innovators across sectors like fashion and beauty. 

Razorpay's Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar

Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar, co-founders of Razorpay, have secured the ninth spot with a valuation of Rs 62,400 crore. Founded in 2014, Razorpay has become a leading digital payments solution, addressing the challenges faced by businesses and consumers in the evolving e-commerce ecosystem.

Nykaa's Falguni Nayar

Finally, Falguni Nayar, the founder of Nykaa, rounds out the top ten with a valuation of INR 56,600 crore. Having made a bold career switch from managing director at Kotak Mahindra Capital to launching Nykaa in 2012, Nayar’s entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of inspiring. With a 30% increase in valuation this year Nykaa has emerged as one of India’s most popular online retailers, offering a wide range of beauty and wellness products.