Meet 7 Biggest Self Made Billionaries In India

In the heart of the world’s largest democracy lies a realm where wealth knows no bounds. Where fortunes are forged amidst a tapestry of tradition and innovation. India, a land teaming with diversity, has given rise to some of the globe’s most influential and prosperous individuals. Let’s delve into the roots and meet 7 biggest Self Made Billionaires in India.

India boasts a roster of individuals who have not only scaled the pinnacles of wealth but also left an indelible mark on the global business landscape. These are the titans of industry, visionaries, and entrepreneurs who have transformed their dreams into billions. 

India boasts a roster of individuals who have not only scaled the pinnacles of wealth but also left an indelible mark on the global business landscape. These are the titans of industry, visionaries, and entrepreneurs who have transformed their dreams into billions.

Let’s get started !

 Here are the seven biggest billionaires in India, and offering an insightful glimpse into their lives, their wealth, and their contributions to both the nation and the world. We have ranked them based on their net worth.

(A) Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath 

The brothers are termed as the top most self made billionaires in India, with a worth of Rs.24,000 crore. The brothers co-founded Zerodha, a disruptive online brokerage platform, and have played a significant role in India. 

Nithin Kamath’s journey into the financial world began when he started trading in the stock market and quickly realized the inefficiencies and high brokerage fees that hindered average Indian investor’s access to the market. 

Zerodha’s name itself reflects their philosophy – ‘Zero’ for zero brokerage on quality delivery trades and ‘rodha’ meaning obstacles. The platform was launched with a mission to remove the obstacles to trading and investing in the stock market. 

Its latest valuation marked upto Rs.16,415 crore as per 2022. Zerodha boasts a huge client base of over 6 million active users.

Key points 

• Zerodha’s disruptive approach to the brokerage industry challenged the status quo. The platform introduced a flat-rate pricing model, which was a game changer. 
• This model meant that traders and investors paid a fixed brokerage fee, regardless of the trade size. 
• Moreover, Zerodha heavily invested in technology. They developed their trading platform called “Kite” and mobile app, making it user-friendly and feature-rich. This focus on technology allowed traders to execute orders seamlessly and access real-time data, charts, and research tools. 
• Zerodha introduced innovative products like Coin (a direct mutual fund platform) and 
• Sensibull (an option trading platform), catering to a diverse set of investors. 

Note: We have covered “the Inspiring Success Story Of Kamath Brothers aka Zerodha Founders” Check it out for more info.

(B) Divyank Turakhia

One of the among- 7 biggest self made billionaires in India. One of the most remarkable achievements of Divyank Turakhia came in 2010, when he founded Media.net. This innovative advertising technology company specializes in contextual advertising, offering solutions for publishers and advertisers to maximize revenue and reach target audience effectively. In 2016, Media.net was acquired by a Chinese company consortium called Miteno Communication Technology, for approximately $1 billion, making him a billionaire. Making the company one of the largest ad tech acquisitions at that time. Now with the current worth of Rs.14.000 crore, making him entering into the list of self made billionaires in India.

Key points 

• Media.net’s partner Yahoo! Bing Network, provides a contextual advertising platform that competes with industry giants like Google AdSense.
• This platform uses advanced algorithms to display relevant ads to users based on the content they are viewing, ensuring a higher engagement rate and increased revenue for publishers. 
• The top three geographies in which media.net serves is United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
• Media.net’s cutting-edge technology continually adapts to changing user behaviors and content trends, ensuring that publishers and advertisers stay at the forefront of digital advertising. 

(C) Riju Raveendran 

Riju Ravindran venture name Think & Learn, goes by the name Byju’s. With a notable worth of Rs.7,800 crore, Riju Ravindran made into the list of biggest self made billionaires. In 2020, Riju Raveendran’s Byju’s attained the status of billionaire by acquiring a $10 billion valuation. 

Byju’s founded in 2011.

Key points

• Currently, the company is being valued at $5.1 billion as of 2023.
• Byju’s uses AI-driven technology to provide personalized learning paths for students. It adapts to each student’s pace and level of understanding, ensuring that they grasp concepts thoroughly before moving on.
• The platform uses animations, simulations, and 3D graphics to make complex topics more understandable and interesting.

(D) Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal

Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, unrelated by blood but bound by a shared passion for technology and business. With a worth of Rs.7,500 crore, entered in the list of biggest self made billionaires of India. 

In 2007, these two visionaries founded Flipkart, initially an online bookstore, from a small apartment in Bangalore. 

Their paths crossed at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi), where they pursued their engineering degrees. Their formative years at It sowed the seeds of entrepreneurship as they were exposed to a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

Key points

• In 2018, Binny and Sachin Bansal, exited Flipkart with the Walmart deal and acquired shares in the Flipkart company of around 5.5%. That valued around $1 billion at that time, making their way to enter the self made billionaires in India.
• After the Walmart acquisition, both Binny and Sachin Bansal continued to contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 
• They invested in numerous startups and philanthropic ventures, supporting education, healthcare, etc.

(E) Ritesh Agarwal

Ritesh Agarwal, the mastermind behind OYO. His journey from a town in India to becoming the force behind one of the worlds largest and fastest-growing hotel chains, is a testament to entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and determination. 

With a worth of around Rs.4,500 crore, entered the list of biggest self-made billionaires of India. Company’s original name is Oravel Stays. 

Ritesh Agarwal’s journey took a pivotal turn in 2013, when he founded Oravel Stays, i.e. OYO. 

Key points 

• In July 2019, reportedly purchased shares in the company, making his estimate approx. $1 billion. 
• The idea behind OYO was simple yet revolutionary: transform budget hotels into standardized, affordable, and reliable accommodations for travelers.
• The platform allowed hotel owners to partner with OYO, benefit from its branding, technology, and operational expertise, and attract a broader customer base. 
• Under Ritesh’s leadership, OYO entered into strategic partnerships and acquisitions to strengthen its global footprint. 

(F) Bhavish Aggarwal

Bhavish Aggarwal stands as a pioneering figure, reshaping the way people move through his visionary venture ANI Technologies, in the landscape of mobility and technology. 

In 2010, Bhavish Aggarwal, along with his co-founder Ankit Bhati, embarked on a journey that would transform urban transportation in India. They founded ANI Technologies, which would soon launch the iconic ride-hailing platform, Ola. With a worth of Rs.3,500 crore, Bhavish Aggarwal become another self made billionaire in India.

Key points

• Ola continuously innovated, introducing features like Ola Money, Ola Bike, diversifying its services to cater to a broader audience.
• Under Bhavish’s leadership, Ola embraced electric mobility, working to build a sustainable and eco-friendly transportation ecosystem. 
• Ola’s global reach expanded under Bhavish’s leadership. The company entered various international markets like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia. 
• It also forged partnerships with companies like Microsoft, which invested in Ola to enhance its technological capabilities.  

(G) Herman Narula 

Herman Narula stands as a luminary figure, driving change with his groundbreaking venture, Improbable. 

In 2012, he co-founded the company with Rob Whitehead and Peter Lipika. Worth of around 2,900 crore, makes his way into the self made billionaires list. The company partnered with Google in 2016, and in early 2017, its open beta product SpatialOS. 

SpatialOS, was designed to harness the power of cloud computing and undistributed systems to enable simulations of unprecedented scale and complexity.

Key points

• SpatialOS allowed developers to create game worlds and simulations on a massive scale, breaking free from the limitations of traditionally game engines.
• Under Herman’s leadership, Improbable forged strategic partnerships with industry giants like Google, which invested in the company.
• The company expanded its reach, opening offices in the United States and Asia and attracting top talent from around the world.

Conclusion 

These billionaires have not only amassed immense wealth but have also made significant contributions to India’s economy and society. Their stories are a testament to the limitless potential of entrepreneurship and innovation in this vibrant nation. 

While their wealth may be what initially captures our attention, it is also the impact they are having on society and the world that sets them apart. India’s journey to economic prosperity continues to be shaped by these remarkable individuals, and their influence is bound to resonate for generations to come.