India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders

Kavikrut, CEO of T-Hub: Kavikrut stands tall among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his sharp acumen in scale, strategy, and startup growth. With a strong foundation in operations and rural innovation, he bridges vision with execution. His leadership has propelled T-Hub into a global innovation powerhouse. Kavikrut continues to champion India’s entrepreneurial future with purpose and precision.

Priyanka Agarwal Chopra, CEO and Managing Partner at IIMA Ventures: Priyanka Agarwal Chopra, CEO and Managing Partner at IIMA Ventures, is a driving force behind one of India’s premier incubation ecosystems. With a strong focus on innovation, scale, and impact, she champions early-stage startups through strategic support and institutional excellence. Her leadership bridges academia and entrepreneurship with precision.

Rajesh Nambiar, President of NASSCOM: Rajesh Nambiar ,a stalwart of the tech industry, rightfully earns his spot among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders. With 30+ years across TCS, IBM, Cognizant, and more, he brings unmatched experience in digital transformation and global leadership. At NASSCOM 10,000 Startups, he’s catalyzing India’s innovation ecosystem. His strategic vision continues to inspire and empower the next generation of tech leaders.

Ashish Bhatia, Founder & CEO of India Accelerator : Ashish Bhatia stands out among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for building a full-stack innovation powerhouse. From capital to coworking, his vision has scaled IA into the country’s leading multi-stage, fund-led accelerator. With 225+ startups supported, his impact spans GenAI, EVs, SaaS, and more. Ashish continues to fuel India’s startup momentum with unmatched depth and dynamism.

Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, IAS and Director at Startup India:  Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal secured his place among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide. With a rare blend of administrative vision and grassroots execution, he has driven impactful reforms across governance, industry, and startups. At DPIIT, his leadership steers Startup India toward inclusive, scalable growth. Dr. Jarangal exemplifies purpose-driven public service in India’s startup story.

Sarah Raven, Group CEO at Microsoft for Startups: Sarah Raven commands a global stage with her strategic leadership and ecosystem-first approach, earning her place among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders. She has been instrumental in accelerating tech innovation by empowering founders with tools, mentorship, and enterprise-grade opportunities. Her work bridges startups and scales with seamless precision. Sarah continues to drive inclusive growth and global collaboration in the startup world.

Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco:  Chuck Robbins earns a distinguished spot among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for championing innovation through Cisco LaunchPad. With decades of leadership in global tech, he has empowered startups by bridging enterprise-grade infrastructure with entrepreneurial agility. His vision is reshaping digital transformation across sectors. Chuck continues to inspire with his commitment to technology, inclusivity, and global impact.

Girish Hiremath, COO of GINSERV:  Girish Hiremath secures his place among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders with his dynamic leadership and deep-rooted entrepreneurial expertise. With a proven track record across sectors like healthcare, tech, and FMCG, he excels in building businesses from the ground up. At GINSERV, he empowers startups through strategic mentorship and operational excellence. Girish continues to champion innovation with a hands-on, growth-focused approach.

David Cohen, Co-founder of Techstars: David Cohen earns a prominent spot among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his pioneering role in shaping the global accelerator model. As a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, his impact spans over 100 startups worldwide. Through Techstars India, he brings world-class mentorship and funding to the country’s innovation ecosystem. David remains a global icon in startup acceleration and founder empowerment.

Ganapathy Venugopal, Co-founder & CEO of Axilor Ventures: Ganapathy Venugopal stands tall among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his steadfast commitment to nurturing early-stage startups. With a strategic legacy from Infosys and deep expertise in risk and growth planning, VG empowers founders to scale with clarity and confidence. His thought leadership and board roles reflect his influence across the ecosystem. At Axilor, he continues to fuel India’s next wave of entrepreneurial success.

Vatsal Kanakiya, CEO of 100X.VC: Vatsal Kanakiya is a rising force in India’s startup ecosystem and a deserving name in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders. With 45+ investments across diverse sectors, he’s powering India’s earliest-stage innovators with conviction and speed. As an angel investor and tech strategist, Vatsal brings sharp insight and bold bets to the table. His work at 100X is redefining how startups secure their first break.

Anuj Golecha, Co-Founder of Venture Catalysts and 9Unicorns:Anuj Golecha is a powerhouse in early-stage investing, earning his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders. With over 100 successful startup investments, including BharatPe and SuprDaily, his impact spans fintech, consumer tech, and beyond. Recognized by NITI Aayog and industry bodies, Anuj blends sharp investment acumen with ecosystem-building vision. His ventures continue to shape India’s entrepreneurial future.

Vani Kola, Founder & MD of Kalaari Capital and Kstart: Vani Kola is a trailblazer in India’s startup ecosystem and a prominent name in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders. A Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned VC, she has backed icons like Myntra, Dream11, and Cure.fit. Vani champions first-time founders with clarity, conviction, and mentorship. Her visionary leadership continues to shape India’s digital and entrepreneurial future.

Hemant Gupta, MD of Zone Startups India: Hemant Gupta stands out as a key figure in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his impactful work at the intersection of innovation and finance. As a driving force behind BSE’s tech incubator and the Social Stock Exchange initiative, he has fostered both startup growth and social impact. His leadership has enabled numerous ventures to scale with purpose. Hemant continues to shape India’s evolving startup and investment ecosystem.

Amey Mashelkar, Head of JioGenNext: Amey Mashelkar is a visionary leader featured in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his mission to scale startups through strategic engagement with Reliance Jio. With 20+ years in innovation, strategy, and investment, he empowers founders to build impactful digital solutions. His cross-sector experience and hands-on mentorship have shaped India’s next-gen tech entrepreneurs. Amey continues to champion innovation at the heart of India’s digital transformation.

Trevor Townsend, Co-Founder of Startupbootcamp: Trevor Townsend a key force behind its India chapter, secures his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his global vision and deep commitment to early-stage innovation. With a passion for tech, sustainability, and the future of work, he empowers founders to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. As an angel investor and mentor, Trevor brings both insight and impact. His leadership continues to elevate India’s startup ecosystem on the global stage.

Nikhil Sinha, CEO of OneValley (GSVlabs India): Nikhil Sinha earns his place among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his exceptional leadership at the intersection of innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. With a global footprint and deep academic and corporate experience, he’s empowering founders through world-class support and scalable ecosystems. His work at Coursera and Shiv Nadar University reflects his passion for transformative impact. Nikhil continues to drive India’s innovation economy with vision and depth.

Paul Graham, Founder of Y Combinator: Paul Graham secures his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for inspiring a generation of Indian founders through YC’s powerful global model. A programmer, writer, and visionary, Paul has redefined how startups are launched and scaled. His influence extends deeply into India’s tech ecosystem. Through Y Combinator, he continues to fuel bold ideas and breakthrough innovation across the subcontinent.

Rajan Anandan, leader of Sequoia’s Surge: Rajan Anandan, a key figure at Peak XV Partners, ranks high among India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his unmatched role in scaling early-stage startups. With a sharp eye for talent and deep mentorship, he’s helping founders build enduring companies. His vision for Surge is shaping it into a global benchmark. Rajan remains a pillar of India’s startup growth story.

 Prasad Vanga, Founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures: Prasad Vanga earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for building a global speed-scaling platform that blends startup agility with corporate scale. With 75+ startups, 2 unicorns, and multiple high-value exits, his impact spans continents and categories. Prasad’s unique lens from consulting to investing drives rapid, scalable growth. He continues to redefine what it means to accelerate with purpose and precision.

Dr. Tej Chingtham, CEO of AIC-SMUTBI: Dr. Tej Chingtham secures his spot in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for driving innovation from India’s Northeast with passion and precision. A Ph.D. in AI and Robotics, he blends academic depth with entrepreneurial insight to mentor startups into market-ready ventures. Under his leadership, AIC-SMUTBI has become a beacon for regional innovation. Dr. Tej continues to empower founders at the frontier of emerging tech.

Surya Kant, CEO at AIC-BIMTECH: Surya Kant earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his decade-plus dedication to policy-driven startup growth. With experience across key ministries and global platforms like G20-DIA, he bridges innovation, investment, and advocacy with strategic precision. From grassroots innovators to global summits, his impact is both deep and wide. Surya continues to shape India’s entrepreneurial future through mentorship, outreach, and bold execution.

Malaya Kumar Padhi, Vice Chairman of AIC-Nalanda Institute:Malaya Kumar Padhi rightfully claims his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for pioneering Odisha’s first AIC and nurturing over 50 startups. A visionary education reformer and angel investor, he bridges academia and industry with cutting-edge CoEs in AI, EVs, and SpaceTech. His 360° innovation ecosystem is redefining technical education and entrepreneurship. Padhi continues to inspire with purpose-driven leadership and bold execution.

Mittu Tigi, CEO of AIC-IIIT Kottayam: Mittu Tigi earns a well-deserved spot in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for championing responsible entrepreneurship and startup empowerment. With a decade of experience in branding, digital strategy, and ecosystem building, Mittu blends creativity with impact. From leading startups to mentoring future founders, their work inspires purpose-led innovation. Mittu continues to shape Kerala’s startup landscape with vision and versatility.

Dr. Sandeep Joshi, CEO of AIC-MUJ: Dr. Sandeep Joshi, CEO of AIC-MUJ, is a seasoned academic leader known for bridging academia with industry through visionary incubation programs. With a strong foundation in computer science and years of mentorship at Manipal University, he fosters innovation among young entrepreneurs. His commitment to practical learning and curriculum excellence has empowered countless student startups. At AIC-MUJ, he continues to drive a future-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ojasvi Babber, CEO of Amity Innovation Incubator: Ojasvi Babber secures his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his strategic mentorship and deep startup consulting expertise. With a background in investment banking, he has facilitated multi-million dollar deals and built growth roadmaps for tech ventures. Over 8 years, his guidance has shaped resilient, revenue-driven startups. Ojasvi continues to empower founders with clarity, capital, and conviction.

Shankar Vanavarayar, Founder of Forge Accelerator: Shankar Vanavarayar rightfully claims his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his visionary work at the intersection of innovation, youth empowerment, and nation-building. As President of Kumaraguru Institutions and a global thought leader, he’s catalyzing India’s industrial digital transformation. Through Forge, he powers startups with deep-tech and industry-driven innovation. Shankar continues to inspire with purpose, heritage, and forward-thinking leadership.

Manish Jaiswal, CEO of Deshpande Startups: Manish Jaiswal earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for driving grassroots innovation and rural entrepreneurship at scale. With expertise in impact strategy, policy, and partnerships, he leads transformative initiatives that blend technology with social change. Under his leadership, Deshpande Startups has become a powerhouse for inclusive innovation. Manish continues to shape India’s entrepreneurial future from the ground up.

Shaji Varghese, CEO of SINE at IIT Bombay: Shaji Varghese earns his spot in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for driving deep-tech innovation and nurturing high-impact startups from one of the country’s premier institutes. With over two decades of experience across venture capital, incubation, and investment banking, he brings unmatched strategic insight. Under his leadership, SINE continues to empower startups with global ambition. Shaji remains a steadfast advocate for India’s tech-led growth.

Prof. Srivardhini K. Jha, Chairperson of NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore: Prof. Srivardhini K. Jha secured her place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for seamlessly bridging research, policy, and practice in entrepreneurship. A renowned scholar and ecosystem builder, her work spans innovation strategy, social ventures, and startup scaling. Under her leadership, NSRCEL continues to be a hub for impactful entrepreneurship. Prof. Jha champions inclusive, research-led innovation with academic and practical excellence.

Chintan Bakshi, Partner – Incubation at IIMA Ventures: Chintan Bakshi earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his pioneering work in rural innovation and grassroots entrepreneurship. With over two decades of experience, he has built ventures that connect BoP markets with scalable tech and sustainable models. His leadership bridges deep impact with strong business fundamentals. Chintan continues to redefine inclusive incubation across India’s diverse landscapes.

Dr. N. Rajasekaran, Head of VITTBI: Dr. N. Rajasekaran  earns his spot in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his dedicated efforts in nurturing innovation and technology-based startups from southern India. With a strong academic and institutional foundation, he has transformed VITTBI into a thriving hub for early-stage entrepreneurs. His focus on deep-tech, mentorship, and industry collaboration drives meaningful impact. Dr. Rajasekaran continues to shape a vibrant ecosystem for next-gen innovators.

Sudhir Mehta, Chairperson of AIC Pinnacle: Sudhir Mehta secures his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his visionary leadership in mobility and manufacturing innovation. As Chairman of Pinnacle Industries and EKA Mobility, he brings deep industry expertise to empower startups with scale and purpose. His ecosystem approach bridges hardware, design, and sustainability. Sudhir continues to fuel India’s innovation drive with industrial precision.

Ronald Fernandez, CEO of AIC-RNTU: Ronald Fernandez earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his steadfast commitment to startup growth, mentoring, and innovation. With a sharp focus on entrepreneurship and investment-readiness, he has built a thriving ecosystem at the heart of Central India. Ronald’s leadership bridges grassroots potential with national ambition. He continues to empower founders through hands-on support and strategic vision.

Suresh Kumar, leading PSG STEP: K. Suresh Kumar secured his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for his hands-on approach to nurturing innovation and enabling startup success in South India. From seed funding to strategic mentoring, he plays a pivotal role in shaping early-stage ventures. His work bridges academia, industry, and entrepreneurship seamlessly. Suresh continues to champion grassroots innovation with quiet impact and precision.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, KIIT-TBI: Dr. Mrutyunjay Suar, CEO of KIIT-TBI, has been instrumental in transforming the incubator into a nationally acclaimed innovation hub supporting deep-tech, biotech, and agritech startups. With a visionary approach, he has fostered a thriving ecosystem that nurtures over 300 startups. Under his leadership, KIIT-TBI has emerged as a DBT-BIRAC Centre of Excellence.

Dr. Saji Gopinath, the visionary behind Maker Village: Dr. Saji Gopinath earns his place in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for pioneering India’s largest hardware incubator. With deep expertise in innovation, strategy, and academia, he has fostered a vibrant ecosystem for deep-tech and electronics startups. His leadership bridges industry, government, and research to accelerate hardware innovation. Dr. Gopinath continues to redefine India’s tech manufacturing future with purpose and precision.

Dr. Abhishek Pareek, Banasthali AIC: Dr. Abhishek Pareek, CEO of AIC Banasthali Vidyapith, leads India’s first women-centric incubator backed by NITI Aayog and multiple central ministries. With 18+ years of industry and banking experience, he has built deep expertise in innovation, risk, and startup ecosystems. He serves on national innovation committees, startup boards, and heads key collaborations at the university. A driving force behind inclusive entrepreneurship, he champions women-led ventures across India and beyond.

Abhyudaya Goyal, CEO of IIM Udaipur Incubation Center: Abhyudaya Goyal features in India’s 50 Most Influential Incubator Leaders for building a dynamic startup ecosystem from the ground up. With a rich background spanning education, commodities, and KPOs, he brings multidimensional insight to venture support. His work accelerates scalable startups in agri-tech, clean energy, FMCG, and more. Mandi continues to foster innovation-driven growth and employment through deep mentorship and strategy.

Madan A Sendhil, AIC RAISE: Madan A Sendhil, CEO of AIC RAISE, is a visionary technocrat and entrepreneur driving innovation at the grassroots. With leadership experience across education and infrastructure, he champions inclusive development through sustainable entrepreneurship. Under his guidance, AIC RAISE has emerged as a catalyst for social impact startups in India. His mission: to make the impossible possible.

Ravi Thakur, StartupXseed: Ravi Thakur, Co-Founding Partner at StartupXseed Ventures, brings over 25 years of leadership and entrepreneurial acumen to India’s startup landscape. At StartupXseed, he drives the full VC lifecycle—from strategy to exit—while backing high-potential deep tech and B2B startups. Known for his sharp insight in business planning and deal execution, Ravi plays a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage innovation.

Mukesh Sharma, Menterra Ventures: Mukesh Sharma, Partner at Menterra Ventures, brings over two decades of expertise in impact investing, with a sharp focus on agriculture, healthcare, and education. His work exemplifies how market-driven solutions and innovation can drive sustainable development. At Menterra, he plays a pivotal role in nurturing mission-driven startups. His efforts continue to shape India’s social entrepreneurship landscape.

Murali Bukkapatnam, TiE Bootcamp India: Murali Bukkapatnam, Chairman of the Board at TiE Global and Founder of Volksy Technologies, plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through TiE’s global network and Volksy’s venture studio model, he empowers early-stage startups tackling real-world challenges. His work spans grassroots innovation, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration. A strong advocate for founder-first support, Murali is instrumental in nurturing India’s next wave of impactful ventures.

Col B. S. Rao, SRiX -SR Innovation Exchange: Col B.S. Rao (Retd), CEO at SRiX – SR Innovation Exchange, brings a rare blend of military discipline, corporate strategy, and startup empathy to India’s incubation landscape. With experience spanning the Indian Army, IIM Ahmedabad, and entrepreneurial ventures, he has mentored 35+ startups across diverse sectors. Known for his hands-on, people-first approach, he champions unconventional thinking and breakthrough innovation.

Durga Prasad Gouda, Atal Incubation Centre – Nalanda: Durga Prasad Gouda, a dynamic force at Atal Incubation Centre – Nalanda, brings unmatched energy and optimism to India’s startup support ecosystem. Known for his extroverted leadership and quick learning abilities, he plays a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage ventures. His dedication reflects a strong blend of passion and purpose.

Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, IIT Madras Incubation Cell: Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, CEO of IIT Madras Incubation Cell, has been instrumental in shaping one of India’s most successful deep-tech startup hubs, nurturing over 457 startups including two unicorns and Ather Energy’s IPO. A Ph.D. from Imperial College London, her global experience spans the UK, Kenya, and India. She also leads RTBI and the Bioincubator under IITMIC.

Karan Bahadur, Draper Startup House: Karan Bahadur, a veteran with over 30 years of cross-industry experience, has been a driving force in India’s startup ecosystem. As a key leader at Draper Startup House, he has championed community-led incubation, enabling startups to live, work, and grow together. His work spans strategic mentorship, global startup festivals, and ecosystem-building across 25+ countries.

Conclusion:

India’s incubator landscape is being quietly yet powerfully transformed by a diverse set of leaders—visionaries who operate behind the scenes to turn raw ambition into thriving ventures. From metropolitan hubs to emerging Tier 2 and 3 cities, these 50 changemakers represent the true backbone of India’s startup revolution. Their impact extends far beyond capital and infrastructure—they are shaping mindsets, enabling access, driving policy, and forging ecosystems that are inclusive, resilient, and future-ready. As India charts its journey toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse, these incubator leaders stand as pillars of that transformation—nurturing not just startups, but a generation of problem solvers, builders, and dreamers.

–Authored and edited by Priyanka Chatterjee, Assistant Editor, Indian Startup Times.