Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024: Celebrating Young India's Rising Stars

Every year, the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list shines a light on the paths that a fresh batch of young leaders have blazed. These people redefine success and surpass expectations. They also demolish restrictions. This year's extraordinary group of young Indians stands out in the 2024 edition, which is no different. Their stories are resounding with perseverance, ground-breaking ideas, and an unrelenting resolve to make a positive impact.

Let's go on an adventure to get to know these extraordinary people, who are changing not just their own lives but also the world around them. We'll meet a singer-songwriter whose voice inspires others to accept their truth, a musician creating enchantment with his blend of Eastern and Western melodies, and a venture investor with an eagle eye for identifying the next game-changing startup. We'll meet financial architects who help millennials understand the complexity of money management, a proponent of sustainable finance who demonstrates how profit and purpose can coexist, and a marketing whiz who creates brand narratives that connect with consumers on a deeper human level.

This is a celebration that goes well beyond business and finance. We will meet a visionary entrepreneur who empowers people to express their particular style, a silent warrior who is committed to nurturing our planet one sapling at a time, and a committed scientist who is uncovering the mysteries encoded in our DNA, laying the groundwork for the development of personalised medicine in the future.

These are only a few of the amazing young Indians who are leaving their impact on the global scene. Their experiences serve as a reminder of the limitless potential that everyone of us possesses.

1. Arpan Chandel (King): The Melodic Maverick

Arpan Chandel (22) , known by his stage name "King," isn’t just a musician; he’s a magician. His fusion of Indian melodies with Western beats has captivated millions. From the soul-stirring "Bhoomi Bhoomi" to the infectious "Tera Hoon Na," Arpan’s music transcends borders. His journey reminds us that creativity knows no boundaries.

Challenge Overcome: Arpan faced scepticism when blending Indian and Western music. Critics questioned whether it would resonate. But he persisted, creating a unique sound that now unites cultures.

2. Pavithra Chari: Crafting Musical Poetry

Pavithra Chari (29), a singer-songwriter, weaves emotions into her compositions. Her soulful tunes resonate with indie music lovers. Through her work, she whispers, "Your voice matters. Your story matters." Pavithra teaches us that vulnerability is strength and authenticity, a superpower.

Challenge Overcome: As an indie artist, Pavithra lacked major label support. Undeterred, she self-produced her music, proving that passion and talent can thrive independently.

3. Yeshu Agarwal: The Venture Catalyst

Yeshu Agarwal’s (Co-founder of Transak- 29) investments aren't just about numbers; they're about dreams. As a venture capitalist, he identifies startups with potential. His strategic choices fuel innovation, reminding us that every decision shapes the future. Yeshu whispers, "Invest in passion; the returns will be priceless."

Challenge Overcome: Venture capital is a high-risk game; Yeshu risked failure. But his keen eye for startups and calculated risks paid off, making him a force in finance.

4. Srinivas Sarkar and Kushagra Manglik: Financial Architects

These co-founders of Coupl, simplify financial planning. Their platform empowers millennials to navigate the complex world of money. Srinivas and Kushagra believe that financial literacy is a superpower—one that can change lives. They remind us that wealth isn't just about accumulation; it's about empowerment.

Challenge Overcome: Simplifying finance for millennials required breaking down complex jargon. They designed an intuitive platform, bridging the knowledge gap.

5. Udita Pal: Bridging Finance and Sustainability

Udita Pal's mission? Sustainable finance. Co-founder of SALT, her impact investments align with environmental goals. She proves that profit and purpose can dance together. Udita whispers, "Invest in a greener tomorrow; the dividends will be eternal."

Challenge Overcome: Impact investing faced scepticism; profit-first models prevailed. But Udita championed sustainable finance, proving that values matter.

6. Ananya Rao: Crafting Brand Narratives

Ananya Rao's campaigns for Nike and Coca-Cola aren't just ads; they're stories. She understands that behind every product lies a human experience. Ananya teaches us that marketing isn't about selling; it's about connecting hearts.

Challenge Overcome: Marketing noise drowns out authenticity. Ananya’s campaigns cut through the clutter, emphasising genuine connections.

7. Kush Jain: Empowering the Visually Impaired

Kush Jain's journey to innovation began during a volunteer stint at a Bangalore school for the visually impaired in 2018. Witnessing the challenges they faced, Kush was determined to make a difference. Co-founding ORama AI, he developed a revolutionary solution – a smart glove specifically designed to aid the blind and those with reduced vision in learning Braille. This innovative device features an embedded camera and speaker. The camera tracks finger movements on a Braille surface, while the speaker audibly identifies the touched Braille dots, providing real-time feedback and accelerating the learning process.

8. Gaurav Piyush, Mayank Varshney, and Yash Sharma: Streamlining Logistics

These three young minds are revolutionising logistics with their startup, Blitz (formerly known as Grow Simplee). Based in Gurugram, Blitz offers same- or next-day delivery services through a network of warehouses and fulfillment centers. Their innovative approach has attracted investor interest, securing Rs 12 crore in funding led by IndiaQuotient.

9.Yashvardhan Kanoi: Bridging the Investment Gap

Yashvardhan Kanoi plays a pivotal role at Alter Global, a venture capital firm aiming to connect Silicon Valley with promising startups in emerging markets. Since 2019, Kanoi has made strategic investments in companies across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Latin America, including Ula, BukuKas, and CoLearn. His prior experience includes serving as chief of staff at Jakarta-based fintech company Investree, where he played a key role in securing their series C funding round. He also honed his investment skills at Gray Matters Capital, an edtech-focused firm.

10. Akshit Bansal and Raghav Arora: Powering the EV Revolution

Driven by a desire to combat pollution and create a sustainable future, Akshit Bansal and Raghav Arora co-founded Statiq, an electric vehicle charging network startup. Inspired by their experiences navigating the polluted streets of Bengaluru, they shifted gears from a ride-sharing venture to focus on building a robust EV charging infrastructure. Statiq boasts over 1,200 charging stations across India, catering to electric cars, buses, trucks, and three-wheelers. Their user-friendly app allows drivers to locate charging stations, book slots, and even remotely monitor their recharge progress. The company has secured over Rs 200 crore in funding and is poised to play a significant role in India's transition to electric mobility.

A Call to Action and a Celebration of Potential

The experiences of these extraordinary people serve as a reminder that creativity and success may arise anywhere when one is driven by passion, commitment, and an unwavering pursuit of their goals. They serve as evidence of the limitless potential that everyone of us possesses.

This Forbes-compiled list is just a small sample of the several young Indians making a name for themselves in a variety of fields. Visit the official [Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia website] to learn more and find many more motivational tales.

Allow the tales you've come across to kindle a passion within you. Allow them to encourage you to seize your special abilities and tenaciously pursue your goals. The world is eager to see what contributions you can make!

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