One-third founders of India’s top 200 companies are IIT graduates, Radhakishan Damani tops ‘Hurun India List’

The ‘Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennium 2024’ list released by IDFC FIRST Private Banking and Hurun India has revealed that one-third of the founders of India’s 200 largest companies are IIT graduates. According to this study, out of 388 founders, 130 founders have studied from IIT, whose companies were established after the year 2000.

Radhakishan Damani on top

In this list, Radhakishan Damani, founder of Avenue Supermarts (DMart) has secured the first position with assets worth Rs 3.4 lakh crore.

Contribution of IIT graduates and startups

• Number of startups from IIT:
  • IIT Delhi: First place with 36 founders.
  • IIT Bombay: Second place with 20 founders.
  • IIT Kharagpur: Third position with 19 founders.
• Overall valuation of startups:
  • The total valuation amount of these companies is around Rs 20 lakh crore.

IIT: From doing a job to giving a job

IIT graduates are now becoming not only job geters but also job providers.

• Contribution of IIT Incubation Centre:
  • Incubation Center of IIT Madras:
    • A portfolio of 351 deep tech startups in 2023.
    • Valuation of Rs 45,000 crore.

Top 10 Startup Founders

1. Radhakishan Damani (Avenue Supermarts)
2. Deepinder Goyal (Zomato)
3. Sriharsha Majeethi and Nandan Reddy (Swiggy)
4. Deep Kalra and Rajesh Mago (Make My Trip)
5. Abhay Soi (Max Healthcare Institute)
6. Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal (Policy Bazaar)
7. Bhavit Seth and Harsh Jain (Dream 11)
8. Nitin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha)
9. Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar (RazorPay)
10. Falguni Nair (heroine)

Global impact of IIT

IIT graduates have made their place among the big business leaders not only in India but also in the world.

• Source of inspiration:
  • Incubation centers run by IITs are promoting new startups.
  • These centers are encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.