Dr. Paramjeet Singh Makani’s unique journey highlights his influential role in the business world. At 30, he epitomizes success through non-traditional paths. Despite academic setbacks, Dr. Makani has become a prolific rainmaker and serial entrepreneur, scaling over 30 companies across diverse sectors. As President of Pantomath Financial Services Group, he leads a global financial services powerhouse.

Dr. Makani’s work spans international organizations, including governmental bodies, development agencies, and corporate frameworks. His ability to resolve complex challenges and create innovative solutions is well-proven, notably through his collaborations with former US President Donald Trump on high-profile projects.

His exceptional contributions have earned him an Honorary Doctorate in Business Development and Sales from Maryland State University and the Bharat Achiever’s Award for Organisational Strategy Consulting. A cornerstone of his success is his ability to create a power network, making things happen, almost magically.

Dr. Makani attributes his success to practical wisdom, a visionary mindset, and intuitive decision-making. His story illustrates that with determination, ethics, and ingenuity, one can transcend traditional barriers and achieve extraordinary success. He is committed to leading projects addressing environmental, economic, social, political, and technological challenges, aiming to create a better world.

The remarkable growth of several industries can often be attributed to innovative technologies and the relentless drive of visionary leaders. Abhishek Mahankal, the young founder of TRADR TRADING ACADEMY, exemplifies this spirit. Recently named one of India’s Top 15 Emerging CEOs, Abhishek’s journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and a passion for financial education.

Born in 1996, Abhishek’s path was anything but conventional. Despite being an engineering dropout, his love for mathematics and probability drew him to the stock market. Initially facing significant losses, Abhishek’s determination led him to master technical analysis and trading strategies. This relentless pursuit of knowledge culminated in the creation of TRADR, Nagpur’s leading stock market training center.

Abhishek’s vision for TRADR was clear: to democratize stock market education and empower the youth. Starting with “FREE TRADES” on Instagram, he built a community of over 56,000 followers, offering workshops, mentorships, and comprehensive training programs. TRADR stands out with its ISO accreditation for quality education, providing personalized, hands-on training with a one-on-one approach. Each batch consists of only six students, ensuring individual attention and a tailored learning experience.

Under Abhishek’s leadership, TRADR has successfully coached over 2,000 students and manages substantial funds in its brokerage wing. His efforts have earned him recognition from prestigious institutions like NMIMS Mumbai and features in major publications such as Lokmat Times, Hindustan Times, Yahoo Finance, Zee Business, and Outlook India. UnAcademy’s invitation to create a trading course for their 30 million users further attests to his expertise and influence.

Abhishek’s journey from financial setbacks to becoming a top emerging CEO is inspiring. He preaches and practices the motto, “Let’s reach the top together,” emphasizing financial freedom and risk management. His story is a powerful reminder that success is attainable through persistence, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

In Abhishek’s words, “Everybody has 24 hours, and the question is, what do you do with your 24 hours? That’s what makes everybody equal.” His journey encourages aspiring traders to dream big and work relentlessly towards their goals, proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

Aman Gupta, the well-known Shark Tank investor, recently received the “Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year” award from our Prime Minister at the prestigious National Creators Award. His journey began at Delhi University, where he became one of the youngest people to pass the Chartered Accountancy exam in 1999.

Before launching his own ventures, Aman worked as an assistant manager at Citibank and co-founded Advanced Telemedia Pvt Ltd. His entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap when he co-founded boAt with an initial investment of just ₹30 lakh in 2016.

A music enthusiast, he envisioned boAt as a D2C Indian electronics brand offering quality products at affordable prices. The company has now amassed over 1 million registered users with its innovative audio products like headphones and earphones. Aman has achieved the title of “Entrepreneur of the Year” within a relatively short timeframe.

boAt, under Aman Gupta’s leadership, is one of the few companies that have secured celebrity endorsements in a short span. As a visionary leader, he has also invested in many promising Indian startups through the Shark Tank platform.

This 42-year-old Delhi-based entrepreneur believes that passion is the key driver for entrepreneurs to navigate various challenges. His successful journey will undoubtedly inspire many Indian entrepreneurs to compete with international brands by offering quality, durability, and affordability.

Technology and astrology might seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, but Delhi-based Punit Gupta has bridged the gap with his venture, Astrotalk. The founder, who once didn’t believe in astrological predictions, now owns India’s most reputable astrological forecasting app.

Puneet, despite coming from a lower-middle-class background, achieved an affluent life through his passion and dedication. Before launching Astrotalk, he attempted a startup in 2015, but it unfortunately failed. Struggling to find work in tech, he returned to Mumbai and took on odd jobs. Feeling lost and discouraged, his friends suggested consulting an astrologer, which sparked the idea for Astrotalk.

The bootstrapped startup achieved an impressive annual recurring revenue of Rs 800 crore in the fiscal year 2023-24, with a profit jump of 41.7% to Rs 8.5 crore. Currently, it boasts a user base exceeding 4 crore and 15,000 astrologers. The company has ambitious plans for an IPO in the next two years. Its financial health appears profitable.

Beyond Astrotalk, Punit has also been a TEDx speaker. His story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and the power of perseverance. He believes that prioritizing customer experiences, providing excellent customer support, and maintaining an honest business approach have been key to his success.

From being a non-believer in astrology to founding the biggest spiritual tech company, Punit’s journey embodies the power of perseverance. Even after facing setbacks, his unwavering determination paved the way for remarkable accomplishments.

Akshay Khurana, a forward-thinking CEO, founded the biotech company Azoth Biotech. As a young entrepreneur, he’s committed to a future-oriented business practice that pioneers the wellness industry. His bold motto is to revolutionize the industry through science-backed ingredients and groundbreaking innovations.

After earning a postgraduate degree from IIM Bangalore, he gained valuable professional experience as a banker, relationship manager, and in various other roles. In 2019, fueled by his passion for creating innovative solutions for health and education, he embarked on his journey as a biotech entrepreneur.

His belief stems from a deep commitment to natural wellness solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and accessible. Consequently, Azoth Biotech, one of India’s premier cultivation and extraction companies specializing in medicinal mushrooms, is now well-established.

Leading a team of scientists, engineers, and business professionals, Akshay spearheads the development of cutting-edge biotechnology products and services. The company delves into the extraordinary therapeutic benefits of mushrooms, unlocking new paths to healing and wellness. Through his passion and dedication, Azoth Biotech has secured approvals from AYUSH and FSSAI, and its user base has grown to thousands.

Beyond his leadership role at Azoth Biotech, Akshay also serves as director of the Ambalika Group and executive director of the Shriram Universal School. Through his inspiring journey and successful ventures, he motivates upcoming entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and make a positive impact.

Vivek Jain, the visionary founder of VoiceOwl, has been the driving force behind the company’s extraordinary rise. In just one year, his leadership has propelled this AI-based contact center solutions provider for enterprises to unprecedented heights.

After completing high school in Indore, Vivek earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pune. Early in his career, he co-founded O Genie, an AI platform that offered virtual assistant services for booking travel. Fueled by a passion for cutting-edge AI solutions, he founded VoiceOwl in October 2023.

VoiceOwl now stands at the forefront of generative AI technology, specializing in the bespoke creation and orchestration of enterprise-grade large language models (LLMs). The platform develops tailor-made LLMs and builds custom AI-powered, context-aware applications that securely connect to enterprise data and APIs. This approach enhances the strength, personalization, and security of enterprise solutions. Through keen foresight, Vivek and his team have created a platform where advanced generative AI meets the rigorous demands of enterprise environments, offering a blend of technological sophistication, data security, and compliance expertise.

In addition to his role at VoiceOwl, Vivek serves as a director of Swaarnim Naturscience Limited, an alternative medicine organization renowned for cancer treatment. His focus extends from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing operations, always aiming to deliver tangible results and unlock opportunities with the right AI strategy.

Surajit Chanda is the co-founder of Toyow, a popular one-stop marketplace for tokenized assets. The company is driving the Indian economy with transformative real-world asset ownership.

Surajit established the platform not only to open a marketplace for digital assets but also to be at the forefront of changing the financial landscape. His vision is to redefine digital asset ownership by offering a simple way to own a diverse range of high-value assets that come with real-world rewards and exclusive experiences.

Surajit holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. He remains the VP of the renowned Shapoorji Pallonji & Co Ltd. He currently serves as the director for Aqex Technologies and also founded another one-stop shop for all aspects of society self-redevelopment, Verite Self Development.

With his extensive experience in real estate, F&B, and blockchain entrepreneurship, he and his team provide unique integrated Development Management Solutions to Housing Societies, from concept to creation and beyond.

A passionate blockchain enthusiast, he is committed to driving innovation and creating new opportunities through groundbreaking solutions. His journey is an inspiration to many, reshaping traditional business models.

Real estate is a booming industry driving the Indian economy. Recognizing its vast potential, Rajiv Williams founded Deccan Progressive Realty LLP, a professional real estate consulting firm. The company is built on his vision of providing top-tier services to buyers, sellers, investors, and stakeholders.

Rajiv holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Management and Operations. His commitment to exceptional customer service and effective problem resolution has been a hallmark of his career. As the Director of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at PVR for four years, Rajiv played a crucial role in enhancing customer experiences and driving business growth.

Through strategic partnerships, Rajiv has facilitated remarkable successes for real estate development organizations such as Avani Projects, Shri Salasar Developers, and Ornate Interiors. His extensive experience with various real estate developers has highlighted the need to streamline operations and improve the delivery of professional services.

Deccan Progressive Realty is now on a mission to empower builders and developers, maximize ROI for real estate investors, and help home seekers find their dream homes. In addition to his real estate ventures, Rajiv is the CEO of Dezign Shark, an all-encompassing branding, advertising, media, and PR agency serving businesses of all sizes. Rajiv Williams’ story inspires us to be ambitious, confident, and passionate in our work across multiple industries.

Anupam Ghoshal, the UK-based entrepreneur, has created a revolutionary social media news platform. With the vision of building a community around news and sharing the latest global updates, Anupam founded the company.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a postgraduate degree in Entrepreneurial Studies. Fueled by a lifelong passion for science and technology, Anupam’s dreams materialized with the AI-driven platform, Riple.

Before establishing Riple, Anupam gained valuable experience in product management and application development. He even completed an internship with Google and worked as a developer for a significant period and later as a Product Manager for a multinational tech company before deciding to focus on his business full-time.

With a dedicated mindset, Anupam and his team are constantly innovating, using AI to personalize news feeds and emphasizing user engagement and community moderation. Their focus is on delivering concise, community-driven news through Riple, which presents news in 100-word formats and promotes user interaction.

In just two years, Anupam’s passion led to the Riple app earning a 5-star rating on the Google Play Store and achieving over 100,000 downloads. Today, Anupam Ghoshal and his team are true influencers, making a significant impact in the global technology, information, and internet domains.

Meet Vinay Agastya, the visionary behind Ctruh, a web-based no-code metaverse builder that launched just a year ago. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a fellowship in Industrial and Product Design from Massachusetts, Vinay brings a wealth of innovative expertise to the table.

Vinay’s career spans diverse roles including Marketing Consultant, Client Partnerships, and Head of Sales and Marketing. He also held a significant position as Associate Director at Unacademy before venturing into entrepreneurship with Ctruh. Recognizing the transformative potential of 3D technology across sectors like gaming, e-commerce, education, and entertainment, Vinay founded Ctruh to democratize metaverse creation, making it accessible and cost-effective.

Since its inception in December 2022, Ctruh has secured $2 million in pre-seed funding and assembled a skilled team of over 27 professionals under Vinay’s leadership. Collaborating closely with leading startups and enterprises, Vinay is dedicated to elevating their virtual presence and engagement.

Based in Bangalore, Vinay remains committed to continuous learning and innovation. He firmly believes in the metaverse’s pivotal role in reshaping digital interactions and transactions through immersive 3D experiences. Vinay will inspire many individuals and brands alike to unleash their creativity and thrive in the evolving digital landscape.

When it comes to influential figures in the global business landscape, Sanjib Sahoo shines brightly. Currently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Ingram Micro in California, Sahoo has established himself as a key leader in the world of technology distribution.

Sahoo’s academic journey includes prestigious institutions such as Calcutta University, IIM, MIT, and Harvard Business School. His career took off early as a technology leader at Charles Schwab and Deutsche Bank, and later by serving as Chief Technology Officer in Chicago’s renowned IT sector.

At Ingram Micro, Sahoo has been at the forefront of the company’s global digitization efforts. He’s known for pioneering concepts like “DigiOps,” “Digital Fitness,” and Digital BMI, which have set new benchmarks in innovation and transformed industry standards.

Under his visionary leadership, Ingram Micro has disrupted the IT landscape with initiatives like the Xvantage platform. Sahoo’s achievements have earned him global recognition, including titles like Global Icon in Technology and the esteemed “DigiGOAT” by CIO News. He’s also been featured prominently in Forbes and celebrated as the “Most Interesting Man in Tech” by Tech Whisperers.

Consistently ranked among the top technology disruptors worldwide, Sahoo’s journey serves as a powerful inspiration for Indian startups. His story encourages entrepreneurs to embrace change, leveraging business acumen and technical expertise to unlock new possibilities.

Every industry today is aware of the pressing issues of carbon emissions and sustainability. Namrata Sadhu, a driven young entrepreneur based in Spain, is at the forefront of this movement. She’s the founder of Vaayu Tech, pioneering the world’s first automated software that helps retailers track and reduce their environmental impact in real time.

Namrata’s journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, followed by her participation in Harvard University’s Sustainability Executive Leadership Program. She furthered her studies with a post-graduate degree in Environmental Science abroad. Her early career saw her contributions as a Senior Manager for Sustainability & Ethical Trade at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat and later as Head of Sustainability and Ethical Trade in prestigious organizations.

In December 2020, Namrata founded Vaayu Tech with a mission to leverage proprietary AI and certified science-based methods. Under her dynamic leadership, Vaayu Tech has expanded its footprint across Europe and Asia, collaborating with over 100 global partners. She’s also the founder of Nalen Ayurveda, a skincare company that champions natural, organic, and vegan products.

Namrata’s overarching goal is to forefront environmental impact reduction in business decision-making, aiming to help retailers globally reduce 1 gigaton of carbon emissions by 2030. Her visionary approach and inspiring journey will undoubtedly encourage individuals worldwide to engage in responsible business practices and explore the transformative potential of circular business models.

These are the inspiring stories of 2024’s top 15 leaders, renowned for their out-of-the-box thinking. From India’s rising stars to international heavyweights, we bring you the inside scoop on 15 incredible leaders making their mark in 2024.They offer a glimpse into the future of innovation and leadership. Aspiring entrepreneurs will find valuable lessons from each of these remarkable individuals.

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