As we accelerate startup aspiration in 2024, we have listed the 15 most promising and successful startups in India. The Indian startup ecosystem is booming with innovation and growth, attracting global attention and investment.
From space tech to AI, from EVs to biotech, Indian entrepreneurs are solving real-world problems and creating value for millions of customers through their startups.
Here are the top 15 most promising successful startups in India for 2023, based on their funding, traction, and potential impact.
- Agnikul Cosmos: This Chennai-based startup is developing and launching orbital rockets for small satellites. Their launch vehicle, Agnibaan, can carry up to 200 kg of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO) and can be customized for different missions. Agnikul has raised $20 million from investors like Mayfield, Rocketship, and Beenext, and aims to launch its first rocket by 2024.
- Absolute: This Gurugram-based startup is using AI and IoT to optimize agriculture and food production. Their platform, Absolute OS, provides actionable insights to farmers based on data from sensors, satellites, and other sources. Absolute also offers quality products and services to farmers, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and crop insurance. Absolute has raised $100 million from Sequoia Capital India and Alpha Wave Global.
- Agrim: This Bengaluru-based startup is a B2B commerce app for agri-inputs. It connects retailers and manufacturers of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other farm essentials on a digital marketplace. Agrim empowers small-scale agri-input retailers with transparent pricing, easy ordering, fast delivery, and credit facilities. Agrim has raised $15 million from Accel Partners and Nexus Venture Partners.
- 82E: This Mumbai-based startup is a self-care brand launched by Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and entrepreneur Jigar Shah. The brand offers skincare products that are joyful, simple, and effective. The products are clinically tested, vegan, and cruelty-free. The brand also aims to promote mental wellness and self-love among its customers. 82E has raised $10 million from DSG Consumer Partners and IDEO Futures.
- Zepto: This Delhi-based startup is an online grocery delivery platform that promises delivery within 10 minutes. Zepto uses hyperlocal dark stores to stock fresh and essential items that customers can order via its app or website. Zepto also uses AI to optimize inventory management, demand forecasting, and route planning. Zepto has raised $60 million from Tiger Global Management and others.
- BluSmart: This Gurugram-based startup is an electric mobility platform that offers ride-hailing and fleet management services. BluSmart operates a fleet of electric cars that are driven by trained drivers and powered by renewable energy sources. BluSmart also provides charging infrastructure and battery swapping solutions for EV owners and operators. BluSmart has raised $51 million from Inflection Point Ventures and others.
- Ditto Insurance: This Bengaluru-based startup is an online insurance platform that offers personalized and affordable policies for customers. Ditto uses AI to analyze customer data and preferences, and matches them with the best insurance products from various providers. Ditto also simplifies the claims process and provides customer support via chatbots and human agents. Ditto has raised $40 million from Sequoia Capital India and others.
- AgroStar: This Pune-based startup is a digital agritech platform that helps farmers improve their productivity and profitability. AgroStar provides farmers with access to quality agri-inputs, agronomy advice, crop protection solutions, weather information, market linkages, and financing options. AgroStar has over 2 million registered farmers on its platform across six states in India. AgroStar has raised $36 million from Bertelsmann India Investments and others.
- Zolve: This Bengaluru-based startup is a cross-border banking platform that enables global citizens to access financial services in different countries. Zolve helps customers open bank accounts, get credit cards, transfer money, invest in stocks, buy insurance, and more in the US or India with ease. Zolve also offers rewards and benefits for its customers based on their spending patterns. Zolve has raised $30 million from Accel Partners and others.
- Nymble Labs: This Bengaluru-based startup is developing smart kitchen appliances that can cook delicious meals for customers at home. Nymble’s flagship product is Julia, a robotic chef that can prepare over 100 dishes from various cuisines using fresh ingredients. Julia can be controlled via voice or app commands, and can also learn from customer feedback and preferences. Nymble has raised $25 million from Amazon Alexa Fund and others.
- Skillmatics: This Mumbai-based startup is a leading edtech company that creates innovative and engaging learning products for children. Skillmatics offers a range of products, such as activity kits, board games, puzzles, books, and online courses, that help children develop various skills, such as logic, creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Skillmatics has sold over 5 million products in over 30 countries. Skillmatics has raised $20 million from Sequoia Capital India and others.
- Zetwerk: This Bengaluru-based startup is a B2B marketplace that connects buyers and suppliers of custom manufacturing services. Zetwerk helps customers source high-quality and cost-effective products, such as metal parts, machinery, equipment, and structures, from its network of verified suppliers across India and Southeast Asia. Zetwerk also provides end-to-end project management and quality assurance for its customers. Zetwerk has raised $190 million from Greenoaks Capital and others.
- Pixxel: This Bengaluru-based startup is a space tech company that is building a constellation of Earth observation satellites. Pixxel aims to provide high-resolution and high-frequency imagery and data for various applications, such as agriculture, forestry, urban planning, disaster management, and more. Pixxel also offers analytics and insights based on its satellite data to its customers. Pixxel has raised $16 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners and others.
- Skyroot is a space technology company that aims to democratize access to space by developing cost-effective and reliable launch vehicles. Founded in 2018 by former scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Skyroot has already made significant progress in designing and testing its rockets, which can carry payloads ranging from 250 kg to 700 kg to low Earth orbit. Skyroot’s rockets are also designed to be partially reusable, which can reduce the launch costs by up to 50%. The company plans to launch its first rocket, Vikram-I, by mid-2022, and has already secured contracts from domestic and international customers.
- Darwinbox is a human resources management platform that helps enterprises streamline and optimize their HR processes. Founded in 2015 by former consultants and HR professionals, Darwinbox offers a cloud-based solution that covers the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement. Darwinbox’s platform is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, which enable features such as smart hiring, performance management, employee engagement, payroll, and analytics. Darwinbox claims to have over 600 clients across 60 countries, including some of the largest and most reputed companies in India, such as Tata, Adani, Mahindra, Dr. Reddy’s, and Nivea.