Every generation is handed a stereotype. For Gen Z, it’s the familiar chorus; “lazy,” “entitled,” even “quiet quitters.” However, beyond the labels, this generation is choosing to build, not just work. Across the globe, young founders (many still in their twenties) are rewriting what entrepreneurship looks like. They are prioritising purpose, flexibility and community impact alongside profit.

The numbers back the shift. According to global entrepreneurship studies, nearly 45% of Gen Z women in India say they aspire to start their own business, reflecting one of the highest entrepreneurial intentions across generations.  This Women’s Day, we spotlight a dynamic group of founders under 30 who are reimagining heritage crafts, building future-facing brands, and aren’t waiting for a seat at the table, ‘cuz they’re busy building entirely new ones. Read on.

Rashmika Mandanna

Actress & Founder, Dear Diary

Before becoming one of India’s most recognisable film stars, Rashmika Mandanna had already begun exploring entrepreneurship, a curiosity that eventually led to the creation of Dear Diary, a lifestyle-led brand rooted in self-expression and mindful living. Built around the idea that personal rituals and reflection are essential to modern wellness, Dear Diary blends thoughtfully designed journals, stationery and lifestyle products with a larger message of emotional clarity and creativity.

Mandanna’s approach to business reflects the same relatability that made her a household name across Indian cinema. Rather than positioning the brand as aspirational luxury, she frames it as a gentle invitation for young women to slow down, document their journeys and build healthier relationships with themselves. Still under 30, Mandanna represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs who seamlessly balance creative careers with purposeful ventures.

Princess Gauravi Kumari

Founder, PDKF Store

Princess Gauravi Kumari, founder of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation’s retail initiative PDKF Store embodies a new wave of Indian entrepreneurship that thoughtfully blends heritage with social impact. The youngest daughter of Jaipur’s erstwhile royal family, she established the store as a platform to champion women artisans across Rajasthan, offering their handcrafted textiles, jewellery, and lifestyle creations a wider, global stage while supporting sustainable livelihoods. Working closely with rural craft clusters, the venture champions sustainable livelihoods while preserving traditional techniques such as hand embroidery, block printing and weaving.

Beyond retail, the initiative functions as a social enterprise that trains and employs women, helping them achieve financial independence through craft. Educated internationally but deeply rooted in Jaipur’s cultural ecosystem, Gauravi is part of a rising cohort of young founders redefining entrepreneurship in India, where business growth and social impact are not separate pursuits, but two sides of the same vision.

Divya Malpani Maheshwari

Founder & CEO, Skinvest

Divya Malpani Maheshwari, founder and CEO of Skinvest represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs reshaping the beauty industry with purpose and precision. Raised in Maharashtra and educated at Indus International School in Bengaluru, she later pursued Business Administration at Northeastern University in Boston, where the idea for Skinvest first took shape. Observing the lack of targeted solutions for brown skin in global skincare conversations, Divya set out to build a brand that bridged clinical research with contemporary beauty culture.

Founded in 2020 while she was still an undergraduate, Skinvest spent nearly two years in rigorous research, dermatological collaboration and clinical testing before launching in 2022 with a focused range addressing concerns such as pigmentation, stretch marks and dark circles. The brand quickly gained industry recognition, including honours at the Beauty & You Awards, positioning Divya as one of the most promising young entrepreneurs championing inclusive, results-driven skincare in India.

Sanjana Arora and Sarah Arora

Co-Founders, Sansaar

At a time when India’s large scale manufacturing sector remains largely male led, Sanjana Arora and Sarah Arora are reshaping next generation leadership. Drawing from their experience as second generation leaders at D’Decor, the sisters co-founded Sansaar in 2024 with a focus on sustainable technology, disciplined retail expansion, and long term value creation. Within its first year, Sansaar scaled to over 450 retail stores across more than 100 cities, recording 35 percent revenue growth and setting a ₹500 crore target within three years.

Alongside expansion, the brand has strengthened manufacturing systems while integrating sustainability into production. This includes reducing greenhouse emissions by 50 percent, increasing renewable energy usage by 55 percent, and eliminating coal in its boiler house. Today, Sansaar recycles 95 percent of its total water consumption and 100 percent of its non hazardous waste, aligning the company with global compliance standards. With recent entry into GCC markets and continued domestic expansion, the sisters remain focused on building an internally funded, resilient business designed for long term relevance.

Alayna Zaid

Founder, Siorai

At just 19, Alayna Zaid is amongst the youngest entrepreneurs making waves in Indian fashion. She founded Siorai, a luxury contemporary label rooted in sculptural silhouettes and refined craftsmanship, bringing a fresh perspective to contemporary design and sustainability. Her journey began with a defining moment when she watched her first design transform from a sketch into a living garment. Seeing form, texture, and movement come to life reshaped her understanding of creation and inspired her to build pieces that occupy space with intention and meaning.

Starting young also shifted her mindset early, moving from seeking short term validation to focusing on long term vision. For Zaid, entrepreneurship is less about freedom and more about constant awareness, where work and life remain deeply interconnected. Her productivity ritual is rooted in stillness. Writing everything down in silence helps create focus and structure. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in art, horse riding, journaling, and music, while cities such as Barcelona, Los Angeles, and Bali represent the creative environments she hopes to experience one day.

Aarya Kumar

Founder, Bungalow Swim

Aarya Kumar, founder of Bungalow Swim is redefining India’s swimwear landscape with elevated, minimalist pieces designed for the modern Indian woman. Inspired by years spent living in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris, Kumar launched the brand to address the lack of premium, globally informed swimwear that feels both luxurious and wearable.

Designed in India and crafted in Bali, Bungalow Swim offers inclusive sizing from XS to XXL and uses regenerated fabrics made from salvaged fishing nets, plastic bottles, and post consumer waste. Alongside recyclable packaging and ethical manufacturing, the brand blends global aesthetics with comfort and empowerment, shaping a more confident narrative around travel ready fashion in India.

Hansika Chhabria

Founder, One Less

In the sustainability led fashion space, Hansika Chhabria, founder of One Less, is encouraging conscious consumption by making sustainability an everyday choice. Founded in 2021, the brand creates minimal, timeless essentials for younger audiences using locally sourced fabrics and chemical free dyes, while ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and decomposable packaging.

Extending its impact beyond clothing, One Less runs its ‘1 Tree = 1 Purchase’ initiative in partnership with the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Through the programme, the brand has planted over 1,500 trees and supported more than 150 families near Pune, reinforcing its commitment to measurable environmental impact and responsible consumption.

Nidhi Khetwani

Co-Founder, N&M PR Consultancy

Nidhi Khetwani’s journey in public relations began with the belief that stories shape how people connect with brands. What started as an internship during college quickly evolved into a defining career path, and by the age of 22 she was already leading a lifestyle PR division with a strong understanding of media and brand narratives. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, she co-founded N&M PR Consultancy with just one client and a clear vision to build an agency rooted in meaningful storytelling. Since then, the boutique agency has grown rapidly, representing more than 150 brands across fashion, beauty, luxury, F&B, wellness, and emerging startups.

For Nidhi, PR is not about creating noise but about crafting authentic narratives. By combining traditional media relations with influencer collaborations, digital first activations, and experiential storytelling, she has helped shape a distinctive voice for N&M within India’s communications landscape. At 28, Nidhi represents a new generation of PR leaders who value collaboration, purpose, and cultural relevance, while helping brands communicate with honesty and meaningful connection.

Bhavya Nathani

Co-Founder, Talent Lab

At just 28, Bhavya Nathani has emerged as a dynamic voice in India’s luxury communications landscape. A PR and marketing strategist, she is the Co-founder of Talent Lab and Creative Director at Stanley Communications, where she leads strategic communications for over 40 fashion, luxury, and retail brands. Since beginning her career in 2019, Nathani has quickly built a reputation for crafting integrated campaigns and overseeing major luxury launches in India, including names like Valentino and Galeries Lafayette, along with Versace, Ferragamo, Tod’s, and Bulgari.

Recognising the need for industry-ready talent, she co-founded Talent Lab to mentor young professionals in PR, marketing, and luxury brand management. Having already trained dozens of professionals and collaborated with institutions such as Pearl Academy, Istituto Marangoni, and National Institute of Fashion Technology, Nathani is committed to shaping the next generation of luxury marketing leaders.

Komal Rukhana

Founder, Who Said So

On the communications front, Komal Rukhana, Founder of Who Said So, represents a new era of culturally relevant and insight led public relations. With more than 15 years of experience and over 100 brands to her credit, she has shaped narratives across fashion, beauty, hospitality, wellness, and luxury.

In 2017, she co-founded Mint+Milk PR and led campaigns ranging from SOEZI’s launch to KALKI Fashion’s nationwide expansion and Melange’s 25th anniversary retrospective. Through Who Said So today, she focuses on strategic storytelling and cultural intelligence while advising brands including D’Décor, Kalki Fashion, Naagin, MeeMee’s, and Namrata Purohit.

Rhea Parekh Jain

Vice President of International Marketing for Sternhagen and Carysil & Founder, Rumour Delhi

At under 30, Rhea Parekh Jain is redefining what it means to inherit and evolve a legacy business. As Vice President of International Marketing at Carysil Ltd. and Sternhagen, she represents the new generation shaping one of India’s most trusted kitchen brands, known globally for its quartz sinks and solid surfaces across more than 80 countries. Her international exposure has informed a modern approach to branding, from digital discovery to retail experience, ensuring the company resonates with contemporary consumers.

Beyond the corporate sphere, Jain channels her entrepreneurial instinct into Rumour Delhi, a speakeasy-style lounge in Vasant Vihar inspired by New York’s after-work wine and cocktail culture. Designed by The Charcoal Project, the intimate 45-seater blends wine-forward cocktails with curated small plates, reflecting Jain’s belief that hospitality, like design, thrives on thoughtful detail and atmosphere.

Happy Women’s Day!

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