Bengaluru has emerged as India's premier hub for young entrepreneurs, with 21 founders from the city featuring on the Avendus Wealth - Hurun India U30 List 2026, up from just 7 last year, according to Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge.
Bengaluru leads in U30 headquarters
The list, which recognizes 102 leaders aged 30 and under, shows that 18 of the companies are headquartered in Bengaluru — the highest for any Indian city. These include first-generation founders building ventures valued at USD 25 million or more and next-generation leaders driving family-owned businesses valued at USD 50 million or more.
“The list reflects how Bengaluru continues to lead from the front. This is a testament to Bengaluru's entrepreneurial spirit, world-class talent and collaborative innovation ecosystem,” Kharge said.
Shift toward DeepTech and HardTech
The report highlights a clear pivot toward DeepTech and HardTech sectors. One in four entrants — 27 founders — come from these fields, including AI & ML (8), EV & Auto Components (7), SpaceTech (6), Aerospace & Defence (4) and Cybersecurity (2). The number of entrepreneurs from AI and Machine Learning ventures nearly doubled this year to 8, while SpaceTech features 6 founders across companies like Pixxel, Digantara and Apolink. The Automobile & Auto Components sector also doubled to 7 entrants, all focused on electric vehicles or components.
Kharge noted that this shift aligns with Karnataka's focus on building globally competitive companies. “As we continue to invest in deeptech, R&D, skilling and founder-friendly policies, our focus remains on ensuring that Karnataka is the best place for ambitious entrepreneurs to build globally competitive companies,” he said.
Younger and more diverse cohort
The U30 cohort is getting younger and more diverse. The average age is 28, and 84% are first-generation entrepreneurs. At just 20, Onkar Singh Batra of Apolink and Dhravya Shah of Supermemory are the youngest entrants. Non-metro cities account for 40 founders, indicating a widening geographic base.
The cumulative valuation of companies on the list stands at INR 2.9 lakh crore, and collectively the U30 entrepreneurs employ more than 75,000 people. The top 10 U30-led companies have raised over USD 3.5 billion, led by Zepto and BharatPe.
“Congratulations to all the young founders shaping the future from Karnataka,” Kharge added, reaffirming the state's commitment to strengthening infrastructure for deeptech and hardware innovation.
