LinkedIn has unveiled its seventh annual top startups list for India, highlighting emerging companies based on insights gathered from its professional network. This report comes during a period of rapid growth for entrepreneurs, with India ranking third globally for startup ecosystems, according to Startup India.
As of 2022, India boasts the second-highest number of unicorns worldwide, trailing only the U.S. and surpassing China in 2020, as reported by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Notably, the number of startups in India surged by 71.5%, climbing from approximately 20,000 in 2021 to over 34,000 in 2023.
The top startups list was generated using data collected over a year, focusing on factors such as employment growth, engagement, and the attraction of top talent. Only independent, privately held companies based in India with over 50 employees and a maximum age of five years were eligible.
Top 10 Emerging Startups in India
- Zepto
Industry: Technology, Information, and Internet
Headquarters: Mumbai
Full-time Employees: 2,500+
Key Skills: Third-party logistics, cataloguing
Common Job Titles: Software engineer, category manager - Sprinto
Industry: Software Development
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Full-time Employees: 200+
Key Skills: Lead generation, account management
Common Job Titles: Full stack engineer, customer experience manager - Lucidity
Industry: Software Development
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Full-time Employees: 70+
Key Skills: Data structures, Java
Common Job Titles: Software engineer, cloud consultant - GrowthX
Industry: Social Networking Platforms
Headquarters: Pune
Full-time Employees: 50+
Key Skills: Video editing, content strategy
Common Job Titles: Software engineer, video editor - Jar
Industry: Financial Services
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Full-time Employees: 300+
Key Skills: Design thinking, Kotlin
Common Job Titles: Product manager, mobile application developer - Wiingy
Industry: Internet Marketplace Platforms
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Full-time Employees: 50+
Key Skills: Teaching, e-learning
Common Job Titles: Teacher, mathematics tutor - SourceBae
Industry: Internet Marketplace Platforms
Headquarters: Indore
Full-time Employees: 50+
Key Skills: Screening, human resources
Common Job Titles: Web developer, talent acquisition specialist - BiofuelCircle
Industry: Software Development
Headquarters: Pune
Full-time Employees: 50+
Key Skills: Digital marketing, business analysis
Common Job Titles: Business development manager, sales executive - Supersourcing
Industry: Technology, Information, and Internet
Headquarters: Indore
Full-time Employees: 100+
Key Skills: Recruiting, human resources
Common Job Titles: Talent acquisition specialist, product manager - Battery Smart
Industry: Transportation, Logistics, and Supply Chain
Headquarters: Gurugram
Full-time Employees: 400+
Key Skills: Operations management, negotiation
Common Job Titles: Business operations manager, software engineer
Insights on the Startup Landscape
This year’s report emphasises the predominance of software and tech companies in the top 10, with startups like Zepto, Sprinto, and Lucidity leading the pack. “These companies are not only experiencing rapid growth and attracting investor interest but are also innovating solutions that will shape their industries,” stated Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn India’s head of editorial.
Moreover, Bengaluru continues to be a pivotal hub for startups in India, with four of the top ten companies based there. Banerjee also noted the rise of startups from Tier 2 cities like Indore and Pune, indicating a diversification in the startup ecosystem across the country.
