The Untold Journeys of India’s Greatest Entrepreneurs**

 

Introduction: Why Stories of Struggle Matter

Every big business empire begins as a crazy idea.
Every billionaire was once a beginner.
And every "overnight success" took decades of unseen hustle.

This book is not just about money, fame, or balance sheets. It’s about the human spirit – how ordinary Indians defied impossible odds to build extraordinary legacies.

What You’ll Discover in This Book:

1. The Raw Beginnings – How Dhirubhai Ambani sold spices, Ratan Tata worked on factory floors, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw fought gender bias in a garage.

2. The Breaking Points – Infosys’ near-bankruptcy, BYJU’S rise and crash, and Paytm’s demonetization gamble.

3. The Numbers Behind the Myth – Revenue graphs, profit margins, and IPO explosions that changed Indian business forever.

4. Lessons You Can Steal – What these founders did right (and wrong) so you can shortcut your own success.

Why India? Why Now?

In 1991, India’s economy opened its doors. In 2024, we’re the world’s 3rd-largest startup hub. These entrepreneurs didn’t just ride the wave – they created it.

Their stories are your blueprint.

Turn the page. Let’s begin.

Table of Contents

Tata Group Network

1. Ratan Tata – Tata Group
   Transforming India’s oldest conglomerate into a global powerhouse.

2. Narayana Murthy – Infosys
   Building a global IT giant and pioneering India’s tech revolution.

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Reliance Industries Network

3. Dhirubhai Ambani – Reliance Industries
   Founder of India’s largest private sector conglomerate and telecom revolution.

4. Mukesh Ambani – Reliance Jio & Reliance Retail (Can be added later)
   Expanding digital, telecom, and retail empire with revolutionary growth.

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Emerging Tech & Startup Ecosystem

5. Byju Raveendran – BYJU’S
   Redefining education through technology and global expansion.

6. Ritesh Agarwal – OYO Rooms
   Disrupting budget hospitality with tech-powered expansion.

7. Nithin & Nikhil Kamath – Zerodha
   Democratizing stock trading with innovative fintech solutions.

8. Bhavish Aggarwal – Ola Cabs
   Pioneering ride-hailing and electric mobility platforms in India.

9. Peyush Bansal – Lenskart
   Revolutionizing eyewear retail with technology-driven solutions.

10. Falguni Nayar – Nykaa
    Creating India’s leading beauty and lifestyle brand through e-commerce.

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Biotech & Healthcare

11. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Biocon Ltd.
    Leading India’s biotechnology industry with global impact.

1 . Ratan Tata – Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group

Leadership Tenure: 1991–2012, interim chairman in 2016–2017
Headquarters: Mumbai, India

Early Life & Entry into Tata Group

Ratan Naval Tata, born in 1937, is the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group. Educated at Cornell and Harvard, he joined the Tata Group in 1962. He started on the shop floor of Tata Steel, working alongside laborers to understand the business from the ground up. After decades of rising through the ranks, he became Chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding J.R.D. Tata.

Transformation of Tata Group

Ratan Tata inherited a decentralized and conservative business empire. He boldly reshaped it:

• 1990s: Unified group companies under the Tata brand and promoted globalization.

• 2000s: Led Tata’s biggest acquisitions—Tetley (UK), Corus (UK), and Jaguar Land Rover (UK). These transformed Tata into a global business.

• 2008: Launched the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, showcasing Tata’s commitment to innovation and affordability.

• Under his leadership, group revenue grew more than 10x, from $5.7 billion in 1991 to over $100 billion by 2011.

 

Key Financial Growth (Tata Group)

YearRevenue ($ Billion)Market Cap ($ Billion)19915.7~5200115.6~152011100+~802023150+ (Group-wide)365+ (Cumulative for all listed Tata companies)

Tata Group’s major listed companies include Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Power, and Titan.

Legacy & Today

Ratan Tata stepped down in 2012 but remains active as Chairman Emeritus. In 2016, he returned briefly during a boardroom reshuffle. A noted philanthropist, 66% of Tata Sons' equity is held by charitable trusts.

As of 2025, he is one of India’s most respected industrialists, celebrated for his humility, visionary leadership, and ethics. His legacy lives on in Tata’s global dominance, employee-centric values, and charitable endeavors—making Ratan Tata a true icon of Indian entrepreneurship.

2 . Narayana Murthy – Founder of Infosys

Founded: 1981
Headquarters: Bengaluru, India

Early Life and Vision

Narayana Murthy, born in 1946 in Karnataka, is an electrical engineer from NIT Mysore. He worked in India and abroad before deciding to start something of his own. With just ₹10,000 borrowed from his wife Sudha Murthy, he co-founded Infosys with six friends in 1981 in Pune. Their mission: to build a globally respected software company from India.

Growth Milestones

• 1981–1990s: Started during a time when India lacked infrastructure and foreign currency access. Infosys slowly built software export capabilities. Moved HQ to Bengaluru. By the mid-90s, Infosys became one of the earliest Indian companies to adopt employee stock options and corporate governance.

• 1993: Infosys went public. IPO was under-subscribed but fully taken up by Morgan Stanley.

• 1999: Infosys became the first Indian company listed on NASDAQ.

• 2000s: Became a leader in global IT services with clients like GE, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs.

• 2011: Narayana Murthy retired as Chairman, leaving behind a globally admired IT giant.

 

Today & Impact

As of 2025, Infosys is among the world’s top IT service providers, with a presence in 50+ countries. Narayana Murthy is a respected thought leader, philanthropist, and reformer of India's corporate ethos. He inspired generations of entrepreneurs by showing that global success can come from Indian soil—with integrity and innovation.

3 . Dhirubhai Ambani – Founder of Reliance Industries

Founded: 1966
Headquarters: Mumbai, India

Early Life & Humble Beginnings

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani, born in 1932 in Gujarat, started his career as a small-time yarn trader in Yemen. In 1966, he returned to India and founded Reliance Commercial Corporation with just ₹15,000 capital, focusing initially on textile manufacturing and trading.

Vision & Growth

• 1970s: Reliance launched its first textile mill in Naroda, Gujarat. Dhirubhai’s vision was to create a large-scale, integrated business driven by technology, efficiency, and innovation.

• 1977: Reliance went public with an IPO that invited small investors, making it one of the first Indian companies to popularize equity investment among the middle class.

• 1980s–1990s: The company expanded into petrochemicals, refining, and telecommunications, pioneering backward integration and aggressive growth strategies.

• Reliance became synonymous with Indian entrepreneurship, with Dhirubhai pioneering modern corporate governance and stock market practices.

 

Latest Projects & Proof of Success

• Reliance Jio (Launched 2016): Revolutionized India’s telecom sector by offering affordable 4G data and voice services. Jio rapidly crossed 450 million subscribers by 2024, making it India’s largest telecom operator by subscriber base. This contributed substantially to Reliance’s telecom revenues exceeding ₹80,000 crore in FY24.

• Reliance Retail: India’s largest retailer, with over 18,000 stores nationwide. Reliance Retail posted revenues of over ₹2,00,000 crore in FY24 and continues expanding aggressively into grocery, fashion, and digital commerce.

• Green Energy Ventures: Reliance has committed $10 billion by 2030 towards renewable energy projects, including solar and hydrogen. In 2023, it commissioned India’s largest solar manufacturing unit and plans to become a net-zero emissions company by 2035.

• Digital & New Initiatives: Reliance’s investments in digital platforms, cloud computing, and media are growing fast. Partnerships with global giants like Google, Facebook, and Saudi Aramco have strengthened its technology and energy portfolios.

Legacy

Dhirubhai Ambani passed away in 2002, but his vision continues under Mukesh Ambani. Reliance is now India’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization exceeding $250 billion in 2025. His journey from a small trader to the founder of an Indian corporate empire remains one of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories in the world.

4 .Mukesh Ambani – Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries

Born: 1957
Company: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
Headquarters: Mumbai, India

Early Life & Taking Over Reliance

Mukesh Ambani, son of Dhirubhai Ambani, joined Reliance in 1981 and played a crucial role in the company’s backward integration strategy—building refining and petrochemical plants. After his father’s death in 2002 and the split of the business with his brother Anil, Mukesh took control of Reliance Industries’ core businesses.

Old Projects & Foundations

• Petrochemicals & Refining: Mukesh expanded the Jamnagar refinery, which became the world’s largest refinery complex, producing over 1.24 million barrels per day by 2020.

• Textiles & Energy: Continued legacy of manufacturing with strong integration across energy and materials.

• Oil & Gas Exploration: Diversified into upstream operations to ensure raw material security.

Game-Changing New Projects

• Reliance Jio (Launched 2016): Revolutionized India’s digital landscape by launching affordable 4G broadband and telecom services. Jio quickly gained over 450 million subscribers, disrupting incumbents and making India the second-largest internet user base globally. Jio’s revenue crossed ₹80,000 crore in FY24, becoming the growth engine of Reliance.

• Reliance Retail: Expanded to become India’s largest retailer with over 18,000 stores covering groceries, electronics, fashion, and lifestyle. Retail revenue reached over ₹2,00,000 crore in FY24. Reliance Retail’s acquisition of Future Group’s assets expanded its footprint dramatically.

• Digital Services & Platforms: Jio Platforms raised over $25 billion from global investors including Facebook, Google, and Qualcomm, fueling growth in 5G, cloud computing, and IoT.

• Green Energy Vision: Announced a $10 billion investment to become net-zero by 2035. Projects include large-scale solar manufacturing, green hydrogen production, and renewable energy generation.

• JioMart & E-commerce: Reliance's JioMart is a fast-growing online grocery platform connecting millions of retailers with consumers digitally.

 

Legacy & Impact

Mukesh Ambani transformed Reliance from a petrochemical and refining giant into a digital and retail powerhouse. His visionary leadership in telecom and retail has reshaped Indian consumer habits, digital infrastructure, and energy priorities.

As of 2025, Mukesh Ambani is one of Asia’s richest individuals and a key driver of India’s economic growth and technology revolution. Reliance’s market capitalization surpasses $250 billion, reflecting its diverse and rapidly growing business portfolio.

5 . Byju Raveendran – Founder of BYJU’S

Founded: 2011 (as Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd.)
Headquarters: Bengaluru, India

Early Life and Foundation

Byju Raveendran, a former engineer from Kerala, began teaching CAT aspirants in 2006. His unique teaching style drew thousands to his workshops. In 2011, he formalized his venture as Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd., launching the BYJU’S – The Learning App in 2015 with a focus on K-12 education and test preparation.

Meteoric Rise

• 2015–2018: BYJU’S app gained massive popularity, reaching 15 million users by 2018. With strong user engagement and visually-rich learning content, it attracted global investors like Sequoia, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, and Tencent.

• 2019–2021: BYJU’S became India’s most valued edtech company. Valued at over $22 billion, it acquired WhiteHat Jr., Aakash Institute, and Toppr, fueling rapid expansion. Revenue in FY21 crossed ₹2,428 crore.

• 2021–2022: Global push with presence in the U.S., Middle East, and Latin America. However, integration issues and growing scrutiny started affecting performance.

 

Crisis & Comeback Attempt

By 2023, BYJU’S faced massive challenges—regulatory scrutiny, mounting losses, layoffs, and governance issues. Multiple investors, including Prosus and Peak XV, raised concerns. The company deferred its IPO and lost significant valuation, dropping from $22 billion to under $3 billion.

Current Status (2025)

As of 2025, Byju is trying to stabilize the company by selling non-core assets, restructuring debt, and focusing on sustainable models. While once hailed as India’s edtech titan, BYJU’S now stands at a crossroads—a story of ambition, overexpansion, and a tough turnaround in the making.

6 . Ritesh Agarwal– Founder of OYO Rooms

Founded: 2013 (originally as Oravel Stays)
Headquarters: Gurgaon, India

Early Life and Start

Ritesh Agarwal was born in Odisha in 1993. A college dropout and a recipient of the Thiel Fellowship, he started his entrepreneurial journey at age 17. Initially, he launched Oravel Stays, a platform inspired by Airbnb, but pivoted to OYO Rooms in 2013 after identifying the problem of inconsistent quality in budget hotels.

Growth Journey

• 2014-2015: With backing from Lightspeed India and Sequoia Capital, OYO grew rapidly. The model focused on standardizing budget accommodations under one brand.

• 2016: OYO launched its asset-light franchise model, enabling faster expansion with minimal capital investment.

• 2018: OYO entered international markets such as China, UAE, and the UK. It reported a revenue of ₹416 crore in FY18.

• 2019: OYO raised over $1 billion from SoftBank and others. Valued at $10 billion, it became one of the world’s largest hotel chains. Revenue in FY19 hit ₹6,457 crore. However, losses also widened to ₹2,384 crore.

• 2020 (COVID impact): The pandemic led to huge losses and layoffs. In FY21, revenue dropped to ₹4,157 crore with losses of ₹3,943 crore.

• 2022-2023: Recovery began post-pandemic. In FY23, OYO posted revenues of ₹5,463 crore with a net loss of ₹1,286 crore. They filed for an IPO and streamlined operations to focus on core markets (India, SEA, Europe).

 

Today & Future Outlook

As of 2025, OYO continues to expand in India and Europe. Ritesh, now one of the youngest billionaires in India, is refocusing the brand with profitability and sustainability as top priorities. His journey showcases resilience, adaptability, and daring ambition.

7 . Nithin & Nikhil Kamath – Founders of Zerodha

Founded: 2010
Headquarters: Bengaluru, India

Founders’ Background

Nithin Kamath, a former stockbroker, and his younger brother Nikhil Kamath, a school dropout and self-taught trader, started Zerodha in 2010. The goal: democratize investing in India by eliminating high brokerage fees and offering a technology-first, transparent trading experience.

Business Model & Early Growth

• 2010–2015: Zerodha disrupted the brokerage industry with a zero-commission model for equity delivery and low-cost intraday trades. It bootstrapped from the beginning—no VC funding, no advertising, and full tech control.

• 2015–2018: Launched Kite, a sleek, fast, web/mobile trading platform, and Varsity, an open education initiative. The firm gained traction among millennials and first-time investors.

• 2019–2021: Zerodha became India’s largest stockbroker by active clients. COVID-19 lockdowns spurred online investing, helping the firm double its user base and profits.

 

Unique Approach

Unlike most startups, Zerodha has never raised external funding. The Kamath brothers prioritized profitability from day one, and reinvested earnings into tech and ecosystem tools like Rainmatter (startup investment platform) and smallcase, Coin, and Streak integrations.

Today & Legacy

As of 2025, Zerodha handles over 10 million active clients and executes millions of trades daily. Nithin and Nikhil Kamath are admired for building a unicorn without VC money and for promoting financial literacy. Their journey proves that disruptive ideas, ethical practices, and tech-driven simplicity can rewrite industry rules—even in finance.

8 . Bhavish Aggarwal – Founder of Ola Cabs

Founded: 2010
Headquarters: Bengaluru, India
Parent Company: ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Origin Story

Bhavish Aggarwal, an IIT-Bombay graduate and former Microsoft employee, co-founded Ola Cabs with Ankit Bhati in 2010 after a bad taxi experience during a trip from Bengaluru to Bandipur. What began as an online cab-booking service evolved into India’s largest mobility platform, reshaping urban transport.

Growth Timeline

• 2011–2015: Ola started with a few cabs in Mumbai and quickly expanded to multiple cities. It introduced real-time tracking, ride-sharing, Ola Mini, and Ola Auto. By 2015, Ola had raised significant funding from SoftBank, Tiger Global, and others.

• 2016–2019: Competed fiercely with Uber. Acquired rival TaxiForSure in 2015. Expanded to international markets (Australia, UK). Revenue crossed ₹1,300 crore in FY17.

• 2020–2021: COVID-19 dealt a heavy blow to the ride-hailing business. Ola pivoted into Ola Electric, building e-scooters and setting up a large manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu.

• 2022–2023: Ola Electric launched the S1 and S1 Pro scooters. Ola Cabs gradually recovered post-pandemic. IPO plans were rumored but postponed.
  

  

   

  Ola Electric (Emerging Arm)

  • Raised over $500M from investors like Temasek and Tiger Global.

  • As of FY23, Ola Electric’s valuation crossed $5 billion.

  • Plans to launch electric motorcycles and cars by 2026.

  Today & Future Vision

  As of 2025, Bhavish Aggarwal is spearheading India’s transition to electric mobility. Ola Electric is central to his ambitions, while Ola Cabs is stabilizing with AI-powered operations. Bhavish’s journey—from cab aggregator to EV innovator—embodies grit, futuristic vision, and bold leadership.

9 . Falguni Nayar – Founder of Nykaa

Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Parent Company: Honasa Consumer Ltd. (Listed as FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd.)

Early Life and Inspiration

Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker and Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Capital, made a bold move at age 50—quitting her job to start an online beauty retail platform. Inspired by the global success of Sephora and the growing aspirations of Indian women, she launched Nykaa in 2012 with a focus on curated beauty products and education.

Growth Journey

• 2013–2015: Started as an e-commerce platform selling beauty and wellness products. The company adopted an inventory-led model, allowing control over product authenticity.

• 2016–2018: Expanded into private-label brands and launched physical stores. By FY18, Nykaa crossed ₹570 crore in revenue.

• 2019–2020: Entered fashion and lifestyle segments. Aggressively expanded marketing through influencers and YouTube. Revenue touched ₹1,860 crore in FY20.

• 2021: Nykaa became India’s first profitable unicorn startup to go public. IPO launched in November 2021 at a valuation of over $13 billion.

• 2022–2023: Diversified into men’s grooming (Nykaa Man), skincare (Dot & Key), and international brands. In FY23, revenue hit ₹5,143 crore, but net profit declined to ₹21 crore due to rising costs.

 

Today & Legacy

As of 2025, Falguni Nayar is one of India’s richest self-made women, with an estimated net worth of over $4 billion. Nykaa is now a lifestyle powerhouse with over 2,000 brands, physical stores across 100+ cities, and loyal online shoppers. Her success has broken age, gender, and industry stereotypes.

10 . Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Founder of Biocon Ltd.

Founded: 1978
Headquarters: Bengaluru, India

Early Life & Humble Beginnings

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, born in 1953 in Bengaluru, studied zoology and later trained as a brewmaster in Australia—one of the few women in a male-dominated industry. Facing gender bias in India’s brewing sector, she pivoted and founded Biocon in 1978 in her garage with a seed capital of just ₹10,000. Initially, the company produced enzymes for the brewing and textile industries.

Turning Biocon into a Biotech Giant

• 1980s–1990s: Biocon focused on fermentation-based enzymes but soon pivoted toward biopharmaceuticals, investing heavily in R&D. It became one of the first Indian companies to manufacture and export biotechnology products.

• 2004: Biocon became the first Indian biotech company to go public, and its IPO was oversubscribed 33 times. On listing day, Biocon’s market cap crossed $1 billion, making Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw India’s richest self-made woman.

• 2010–2020: Expanded into biosimilars, insulin, and oncology drugs. Biocon entered the U.S. and European markets through regulatory approvals and strategic partnerships.

 

Biocon Biologics, a key subsidiary, has partnerships with global pharma majors and aims to be a global biosimilar leader.

Today & Impact

As of 2025, Biocon is among India’s top biopharmaceutical firms with a presence in 120+ countries. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a symbol of innovation and resilience in Indian business. She has been a strong advocate for affordable healthcare and women in STEM.

Kiran’s journey—from a rejected brewmaster to a billionaire biotech entrepreneur—highlights how adversity can be turned into global impact through persistence, vision, and bold thinking.

The Last Page: Your Story Begins Here

1. The Million-Rupee Question
"After reading these stories—will you be the subject of someone else's business book... or will you write your own?"

2. The Indian Entrepreneur's Anthem

They said "No" when you asked for loans,
Your family whispered "Stay small".
Take that chai-shop dream tonight,
And build the next Taj standing tall.

For every Ambani once stood
Where you stand right now—
With empty pockets,
But eyebrows raised,
And sweat upon their brow.

3.Your Turn (The 5-Step Challenge)

1. Name Your Garage (Literal or metaphorical starting point)

2. Find Your 1958 Moment (What's your "Dhirubhai selling spices" equivalent?)

3. List 3 Cultural Superpowers (Jugaad? Family support? Hustle?)

4. Write Your Failure Resume (3 mistakes you NEED to make)

5. Text One Person (Who'll read your first business plan tonight)

4. The Ultimate Reality Check
"In 2040, someone will write a book about Indian entrepreneurs. The only question is—will you be in its introduction... or its index?"

5. Special Bonus
Scan this QR code to get:

• A printable "Wall of Hustle" timeline for your journey

• The never-published first pitch deck of Ola

• 5 rejection letters that later became IPO certificates