Innovation today is being driven not only by groundbreaking technologies but also by visionary entrepreneurs and creators who are challenging conventions, redefining industries, and building businesses with lasting impact. Across sectors ranging from media, marketing, hospitality, fashion, and education to food and lifestyle, a new generation of leaders is transforming ideas into scalable ventures that shape consumer experiences and create meaningful change. These trailblazers combine creativity, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, inspiring others while pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Meet the visionaries to watch—founders, innovators, and industry disruptors who are driving the next wave of growth and innovation in India and beyond.
Rohit Soni is an entrepreneur, 2-time TEDx speaker, author, podcast host, USA-based TV show host, and the Founder & CEO of Amplify Media, a global growth agency helping coaches, consultants and knowledge-led businesses build scalable client acquisition systems. He is also the creator and host of The Empowered Entrepreneur, a U.S.-based TV show that spotlights entrepreneurial journeys, leadership insights and strategies for building impactful businesses. Since launching Amplify Media in 2021, he has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs worldwide, helping them transform their expertise into profitable businesses through strategic positioning, high-converting offers, sales systems and messaging frameworks.
Known for championing a shift from “content creators” to “business builders,” Rohit advocates for sustainable business growth over vanity metrics. Through Amplify Media, he has collaborated with internationally recognised thought leaders while building an educational ecosystem through his leadership podcast, television platform and speaking engagements.
His broader vision is to establish Amplify Media as the leading growth partner for coaches and consultants worldwide, empowering experts to build impactful, scalable and globally recognised businesses through innovative marketing strategies, sustainable growth systems and modern sales-led approaches.
Rishi Jain
Rishi Jain, Co-founder & CEO of Digital Scholar, leading AI-driven digital marketing trainer and innovator across India and the UAE.
Rishi Jain is the Co-founder and CEO of Digital Scholar, an agency-styled digital marketing institute in Chennai he built to bridge the gap between marketing education and live campaign execution. Under his leadership, Digital Scholar developed India’s first AI-integrated digital marketing curriculum, training over 395,000 students and mentoring more than 1,000 career transitions across India and the UAE.
Rishi has managed over ₹400 crore in Meta ad spend, delivering measurable results for brands including The Hindu, Bosch, Naturals, and Manyavar. His work has been recognised by Meta and Google through closed-door strategic briefings, and he was awarded Best AI Corporate Trainer.
Beyond the classroom, as the best AI influencer in India, Rishi has trained 60-plus corporate teams on AI-driven marketing systems and regularly speaks at IIMs and IITs, shaping how the next generation of Indian marketers think about automation, performance, and creative strategy.
Sorav Jain
Sorav Jain, Founder of Digital Scholar and echoVME Digital, digital marketing strategist, author, and industry influencer.
Sorav Jain is the Founder of Digital Scholar and echoVME Digital, an award winning digital marketing agency in Chennai. Over 20+ years, he has trained more than 395,000 students and consulted for 500+ top brands across real estate, healthcare, e-commerce, and D2C in India.
Sorav Jain built Digital Scholar, Chennai’s best digital marketing training institute around a simple premise: marketing should be taught by people actively practising it. The institute’s agency-style model gives students live brand exposure rather than theoretical case studies, and Sorav Jain personally consults on campaigns for clients including Oliva Clinics, Apollo White Dental, Ramco, Bosch India, Casagrand and Levista Coffee.
A widely read voice in Indian digital marketing, Sorav has authored multiple books on social media strategy and is recognised as a BuzzSumo World’s Top Digital Marketing Influencer. He continues to advise brands on AI-led growth while scaling Digital Scholar’s reach across India and international markets.
Prasuk Jain
Prasuk Jain, Founder & Managing Director of Prasuk Jain Hospitality Pvt Ltd, redefining experiential hospitality and lifestyle entertainment in India.
Recognized among Business World’s 40 Under 40, Prasuk Jain has established himself as a curator of experiences, a disruptor of traditional hospitality models, and an innovator shaping the future of lifestyle entertainment destinations in India. As Founder, he has spent over a decade reimagining how people dine, play, and connect by bringing consumer aspirations to life.
What began at the age of 18 has, over the past 18 years, grown into a portfolio of 18 distinctive brands and over 70 marquee destinations across India by FY 2026. The world may call it hospitality and entertainment, but for Mr. Jain, it is the art of lifestyle socialising and experiential dining. Guided by a “Make in India, Make for the World” philosophy, he is creating a gateway to global experiences for Indian audiences, at a time when over 95% of the population has never travelled abroad.
While much of the industry focuses on bringing international brands to India, his vision has been to build Indian brands for the global stage, successfully establishing a presence in the American market. With plans to double its footprint by FY 2028 and a billion-dollar IPO on the horizon, he continues to build the future of experiential hospitality, one destination, one innovation, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
Ridhi Mehra
Ridhi Mehra, Founder & Creative Director of Ridhi Mehra, pioneering contemporary Indian occasion wear on the global fashion stage.
Over the last decade, Ridhi Mehra has emerged as one of the defining voices in contemporary Indian fashion, building a brand that has reshaped how a new generation approaches occasion wear. What began in 2012 as a vision to offer a fresh alternative within the luxury fashion landscape has evolved into a globally recognised business spanning more than 20 countries.
A graduate of NIFT Delhi with a postgraduate degree in Business Management from the University of Nottingham, Mehra brought together creative expertise and commercial strategy from the outset. Her early collections challenged conventional occasion dressing through Indo-western silhouettes, while signature innovations such as pre-draped sarees and the use of tissue fabrics established a distinctive design language that continues to define the label today.
Long before digital commerce became central to luxury fashion, Mehra recognised its potential to reach consumers directly, helping accelerate the brand’s growth across India and international markets. Today, the business spans occasion wear, bridal couture and menswear, supported by a strong retail presence and a rapidly growing global customer base.
At its foundation remains a commitment to Indian craftsmanship, working with over 5,000 artisans and 20 handloom clusters. As the brand approaches its fifteenth year, Ridhi Mehra continues to build towards a larger ambition: taking Indian design, craftsmanship and occasion wear to the global stage.
Esha Parekh
Esha Parekh Sheth, Founder & Creative Director of Ozeqo, championing custom-made fashion through innovation and conscious craftsmanship.
Esha Parekh Sheth is the Founder and Creative Director of Ozeqo, a contemporary fashion label redefining occasion wear through made-to-order craftsmanship and modular design innovation. With a deep belief that fashion should be personal, versatile, and purposeful, she has built Ozeqo around the idea of creating garments that adapt to the wearer rather than the other way around.
Known for challenging traditional fashion norms, Esha incorporates detachable design elements and custom-fit tailoring into every collection, allowing women to style pieces in multiple ways while ensuring an impeccable fit. Her approach combines creativity with conscious production, crafting garments only when they are ordered and significantly reducing unnecessary waste.
Driven by a vision to transform the future of Indian fashion, Esha aims to position India as a global leader in premium custom-made apparel. Through Ozeqo, she celebrates the country’s rich craftsmanship heritage while introducing a modern, innovative approach to pret and occasion wear that prioritises individuality, quality, and longevity.
Supriya Pandey, Founder & Director, ButterBox
Supriya Pandey, Founder & Director of utterBox, transforming India’s bakery landscape through technology, freshness, and artisanal excellence.
“Innovation, to me, is about making everyday experiences better, more accessible, and more meaningful. With ButterBox, we are reimagining how India experiences fresh bakery products by combining artisanal craftsmanship with technology-driven operations. Our vision is to build a scalable hub-and-spoke bakery ecosystem that delivers freshly baked products to neighbourhoods every day while maintaining the highest standards of quality, consistency, and transparency. Through our unique ‘White Store’ concept, customers can witness live baking, creating trust and a deeper connection with the food they consume. Having worked across India, Singapore, and New York, I saw an opportunity to bring global baking standards to emerging Indian markets that remain underserved. Beyond business growth, we are focussed on creating employment opportunities, empowering local communities, and building a brand that becomes part of people’s daily lives. For us, baking is not just a product—it is an experience built on freshness, innovation, and trust.” Eating is Believing
Shafeeq Ur Rahman: The Visionary Entrepreneur Elevating Hyderabad’s Fashion Industry to Global Heights
Shafeeq Ur Rahman, founder of The Star Life Hyderabad, during a fashion and entertainment industry event in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad-based entrepreneur Shafeeq Ur Rahman has emerged as a prominent name in the fashion and entertainment industry through his venture, Star Life Hyderabad. Known for creating opportunities for aspiring models, designers, and creative professionals, he has built a platform that connects talent with national and international exposure. His work spans fashion events, lifestyle initiatives, media collaborations, and entertainment productions.
Rahman gained wider recognition after representing Indian fashion on global platforms, including participation in events linked to Expo 2020 World Fashion Week Dubai, and later being appointed as a city partner of Fashion TV in Hyderabad. His contributions to fashion entrepreneurship have earned him several industry accolades, including recognition at the IIAA Fashion Awards and other business and leadership platforms.
Beyond fashion, he has expanded into film and entertainment production under the Star Life Hyderabad banner. Shafeeq ur Rahman with one of India’s most valued fashion companies, The Star Life Hyderabad, with a strong international footprint built carefully around the highlight of Royal Nizam Hyderabad culture on a global platform. Through innovation, mentorship, and a commitment to nurturing talent, Shafeeq Ur Rahman continues to strengthen Hyderabad’s presence in the global creative ecosystem.
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