What are the some successful startup’s in India, non-graduates?

One does not necessarily need to be an IITian to head a successful startup. In fact, there are several startups that are successfully headed by efficient individuals who are Non-IITians. Let’s have a look; I will start with my favorite.

1. Ashioto headed by Nilay Kulkarni

There are several startups in India that have emerged with interesting mission and vision. Ashioto is one such example which is a data-driven crowd management platform implemented successfully in 2015 at the Nashik Kumbh Mela. For those who are not aware, the Kumbh Mela held in 2015 was the first Kumbh Mela to have zero casualties.

The credits lie with Nilay Kulkarni and his team. Nilay had been hearing about stampedes from his grandfather since he was a kid. As he came across the heart-wrenching 2013 Kumbh Mela reports where 42 people died and minimum 45 were injured, he thought of putting an end to this distress. When he was only 15 years old, he decided to come up with a solution to the terrifying deaths every year by incorporating his knowledge of programming and innovation.

Images Credits: Google Images

Currently, he is the software head of his startup, Ashioto. He, along with his team, developed a cloud-based crowd flow analysis platform. They invented a sensory mat that tracks the real-time crowd flow-rate data.

This mat counts the number of people by measuring the footfall and estimates the crowd density at that particular point. With the help of the communication unit, this information is passed on to the authorities. In situations where the crowd density is beyond a safe threshold, the sensor detects the overflow of the crowd and alerts the police immediately. This is how a stampede can be prevented.

Thus, Ashioto has set an example of establishing startups that are for the welfare of society.

Credits: Nilay Kulkarni’s TED talk: A life-saving invention that prevents human stampedes

2. Micromax headed by Rahul Sharma

Rahul Sharma is the CEO and co-founder of the 10th largest mobile company globally, Micromax. He holds Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He pursued mechanical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. That’s not the end, he also attended the Owner/President Program at Harvard Business School.

3. BookMyShow headed by Ashish Hemrajani

Ashish Hemrajani, the CEO of BookMyShow did not get through IIT or IIM to build a company that entered the 1000 Cr valuation club. He founded the company in 2007. BookMyShow receives almost 500 million page views per month.

4. Oyo Rooms headed by Ritesh Agarwal

Oyo Rooms, more commonly known as Oyo was founded in 2013 by Ritesh Agarwal. It is India’s largest hospitality company. Ritesh started his career at the age of 17. He is the first Indian to win the Thiel Fellowship. Moreover, he received a mention in Forbes 30 under 30 Young Achievers list without going to IIT. Surprisingly, he is a drop out of the Indian School of Business and Finance, Delhi.

5. PayTM headed by Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the man behind PayTM believes education is overrated. He started college at Delhi College of Engineering when he was only 15. His command over English has always been weak. Well, how does it matter, he has established a business that has made its mark. Eventually, he has also made efforts to learn English.

So, all it takes to be successful is an idea that can change a million lives, not a degree from IIT!