By Samannay Biswas
Copyright timesnownews
India’s startup and tech ecosystem has witnessed another milestone moment. Aravind Srinivas, the 31-year-old co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, has officially become India’s youngest billionaire, according to the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025. With a net worth of Rs 21,190 crore, Srinivas’ rise underscores how India is shifting from a services-led past to a deep-tech, product-led future. A Challenger in the Global AI Race Perplexity AI, often described by its users as “the fastest way to get answers to any question”, is a conversational AI-powered search engine that directly competes with Google Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Under Srinivas’ leadership, Perplexity has become one of the most disruptive names in AI, positioning itself as the next big leap in search technology. “The debut of Aravind Srinivas, 31, founder of Perplexity, as the youngest billionaire, underscores India’s transformation into a deep-tech powerhouse,” the Hurun report noted. “His wealth stems from building a foundational AI model competing at a global level.” From Chennai to Silicon Valley Born and raised in Chennai, Srinivas pursued dual degrees in Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras, before completing a PhD in Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic and professional journey included stints at some of the world’s most prestigious AI research labs, including OpenAI, Google, and DeepMind, before he decided to strike out on his own. In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. The startup has since raised significant funding, with investments from global tech leaders and venture capitalists, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The company has also attracted buyout interest from tech giants like Apple and Meta, though Srinivas has made it clear he intends to keep Perplexity independent, with plans for a public listing after 2028. Youngest Billionaire in India At 31 years old, Aravind Srinivas surpasses other young Indian entrepreneurs on the Hurun list, joining a new generation of billionaires who are redefining India’s global reputation. His Rs 21,190 crore net worth makes him the youngest Indian to join the billionaire ranks this year. He shares the spotlight with other young founders featured on the list: Kaivalya Vohra (22, Zepto) – Rs 4,480 croreAadit Palicha (23, Zepto) – Rs 5,380 croreRitesh Agarwal (31, Prism/OYO) – Rs 14,400 croreRohan Gupta (26, SG Finserve) – Rs 1,140 croreShashvat Nakrani (27, BharatPe) – Rs 1,340 croreTrishneet Arora (30, TAC Security) – Rs 1,820 crore This growing roster of under-35 billionaires shows how India’s startup ecosystem, especially in tech, fintech, and AI, is producing world-class companies and massive wealth creators at an unprecedented pace. The Bigger Picture India’s position in the global tech race is rapidly strengthening. With 284 billionaires in 2025, India is now the third largest billionaire hub after the US and China. The entry of Srinivas — with roots in Chennai and a global education and career path — reflects the fusion of India’s talent pool and Silicon Valley’s ecosystem. His success also represents a broader shift in wealth creation: From traditional industries like steel, infrastructure, and manufacturing……to AI, deep tech, fintech, and product-led ventures.What’s Next for Perplexity and Srinivas? With valuations soaring and usage growing rapidly, Perplexity is already being seen as a credible competitor to Google’s dominance in search. Backed by influential investors, the company plans to scale globally before considering its IPO post-2028. For Srinivas, this is just the beginning. As the youngest billionaire in India, he is set to become a symbol of the new wave of Indian entrepreneurs who are leading the charge in artificial intelligence and global innovation.
