Innovation isn’t just about creating new products, it’s about changing how industries work. India’s startup ecosystem is often defined by its ability to challenge conventions and create entirely new consumer behaviors.
Some businesses succeed by introducing cutting-edge technology, while others find success by reinventing traditional industries. In either case, the common factor among industry disruptors is their ability to identify gaps in the market and build solutions that not only address existing problems but also change how people interact with products and services.
Here’s the list of five founders who have built companies that stand out in competitive industries dominated by established players.
1. Kabir Jeet Singh, Founder and CEO, Burger Singh
Kabir Jeet Singh, founded one of India’s largest homegrown QSR brands, Burger Singh, challenging a market long dominated by multinational giants.
His foray into the burger business began during his MBA at Birmingham Business School when he worked at a local burger joint.
Experimenting with Indian spices to enhance the otherwise bland offerings, he identified a gap in the market.
This insight led to the launch of Burger Singh in 2014, blending global fast food with desi flavors. His focus on customizing flavors for different regions and expanding beyond metros has helped the brand find success even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
With 175+ outlets across 75+ Indian cities and a growing international presence, Burger Singh continues to compete in a segment that was once thought to be untouchable for homegrown brands.
2. Deepak Sahni, Founder, Healthians
Deepak Sahni started his career as a digital marketer and went on to build one of India’s largest at-home diagnostics companies.
He founded Healthians in 2015 to make preventive healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.
By combining convenience with quality, Healthians ensure that high-quality healthcare services reach people’s doorsteps across India.
Sahni continues to push for digital transformation in diagnostics, with AI and technology playing a bigger role in Healthians’ next phase of growth.
The company has introduced AI-driven tools like Smart Report and video analysis of health reports, which simplify complex medical data and help users better understand their test results.
These features empower individuals to make informed healthcare decisions, bridging the gap between diagnostic insights and actionable steps.
Today, Healthians operates in over 250 cities with a network of 22+ certified labs and a large fleet of trained phlebotomists, reinforcing its mission of making healthcare more accessible and user-friendly.
3. Tarun Joshi, Founder and CEO, IGP
Tarun Joshi’s career started in aerospace engineering and later moved to private equity investing before he entered the e-commerce space.
He founded IGP (International Gifts Platform) to solve a key problem, how to make online gifting more personalized and efficient.
Under his leadership, IGP has become one of India’s largest direct-to-consumer gifting platforms, delivering products to 1,000+ cities in India and 150+ countries worldwide.
With services like 30-minute delivery in major cities and same-day delivery across 400+ locations, the company has built a niche in curated and customized gifting. IGP has also expanded its business offline and aims to open 140 dark stores and 22 retail stores in the next 1-2 years.
4. Abinav Varma Kalidindi, Founder and CEO, Ikonz Studios
Abinav Varma Kalidindi started Ikonz Studios in 2021 with a focus on AI-driven digital experiences. The company builds hyper-realistic AI avatars and holographic solutions, working with global personalities and brands.
One of its biggest projects has been creating the AI-powered digital avatar of Amitabh Bachchan, which was launched in partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank.
Abinav, who has a background in technology and finance, has previously built and exited a consumer tech company in the U.S. before founding Ikonz.
His focus now is on integrating AI-powered digital assistants into industries like banking, healthcare, education, and entertainment.
Ikonz is backed by prominent investors funds that have been backed by Village Global, whose notable LPs include Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos among others.
5. Preet Sandhuu, Founder and MD, AVPL International
Preet Sandhuu co-founded AVPL International to bring drone technology to Indian agriculture and beyond.
The company started in 2016, provides training for talent creation and drone services to individuals like students and farmers, helping them adopt precision farming techniques effectively.
AVPL’s presence across 12 states, featuring 50 Global Incubation and SKill Hubs(GISH) and 20 World Incubation and SKill Hubs(WISH) dedicated exclusively to the Drone and Agriculture sectors, makes it one of India’s largest drone training institutes.
Before AVPL, Sandhuu co-founded Startup Stairs, an accelerator for early-stage businesses. Her focus now is on making drone-based agricultural services more affordable while also injecting the mindset of entrepreneurship in rural communities.
Recently, BSE-listed DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations signed a term sheet for a strategic merger with AVPL International to make India’s largest drone ecosystem.
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