Emerging Entrepreneurs & Personalities to Watch in 2026

New Delhi [India], October 01: As India continues to advance across entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, education, creativity, and social impact, Shell Entertainment presents a special editorial feature highlighting eight emerging entrepreneurs and personalities to watch in 2026. Representing diverse professional fields, these individuals reflect the changing face of modern India through leadership, expertise, innovation, and purposeful contributions across business, education, technology, healthcare, and other sectors.

Advocate Anik M Iktear Uddin, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Prime Legal

Advocate Anik M Iktear Uddin, Co-Founder&Managing Partner of Prime Legal, is a Bengaluru-based legal professional and author with over 17 years’ experience across criminal, civil, corporate, cybercrime, family, consumer and regulatory matters, holding an LL.M. in Business Law.

A Second Rank holder, he served as Special Public Prosecutor for Karnataka and earned KarnatakaBusiness Samrat Award 2024 and DAC Legal Luminaries Awards 2026. He authored three books—Justice Written in the Absence of Law, Shedding Light on Cybercrime, and Complete Guide to Muslim Property—and served as Co-Chairman of Legal Connect Conclave 2026, supporting legal aid, research and access-to-justice initiatives.

Rishi Deepak Budhadev

National President – Professional Travel Agents & Hotels Association (PTAHA)

General Manager – Royal Park Resorts, Manali

Rishi Deepak Budhadev is a distinguished Tourism & Hospitality professional with more than two decades of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. Recognized as a CIP – Commercially Important Person, he brings extensive expertise in hospitality management, tourism development, business networking and industry leadership.

As the National President of the Professional Travel Agents & Hotels Association (PTAHA), he is committed to strengthening collaboration among travel agents, tour operators, hotels, resorts and tourism stakeholders across India and internationally.

Through PTAHA, he focuses on creating meaningful business opportunities, professional networking, destination promotion, trade-fair participation, industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing platforms for tourism professionals.

Alongside his association leadership, he serves as General Manager at Royal Park Resorts, Manali, combining hands-on hospitality expertise with strategic industry leadership. His vision is to build a stronger, more connected and globally competitive tourism community, while creating sustainable opportunities for businesses and professionals across the industry.

Kartik Gupta, Shell Entertainment - Founder

Since 2021, Kartik Gupta, Founder of Shell Entertainment, has been building his name in public relations, personal branding, and digital Marketing. He has worked with 440+celebrities, singers, politicians, entrepreneurs, public figures, and brands, helping them strengthen their visibility and digital presence. Through Shell Entertainment, Gupta combines strategic PR, media exposure, branding, and digital innovation to create meaningful opportunities for individuals and businesses.

His entrepreneurial journey reflects a modern understanding of how storytelling, credibility, and consistent communication can shape a powerful personal or business identity. With a growing portfolio and clear vision, Gupta continues to contribute to India’s evolving digital branding ecosystem.

Vineet Yati, Managing Director of Kivisory Skills Private Limited

Vineet Yati, The Skill Development Entrepreneur Shaping India’s Workforce is a seasoned entrepreneur with 20+ years of professional experience spanning skill development, government training and CSR initiatives. With a growing Pan-India footprint, Yati has built Kivisory Skills into an industry-focused organisation working with leading developers, construction stakeholders and social-sector institutions.

His work encompasses training youth and construction workers, strengthening employability and contributing to thousands of livelihood opportunities. Kivisory Skills is associated with CREDAI’s CSR initiatives and CSDCI, the Sector Skill Council under NSDC. Through a network connected with 250+ NGOs, Yati also supports CSR implementation, creating meaningful bridges between corporate responsibility, skills and grassroots impact.

Dr. Nikunj Vaghasiya

Dr. Nikunj Vaghasiya is an IIT Mandi scholar, AI researcher, entrepreneur, policy-oriented researcher, and BJP-associated public-service professional working across artificial intelligence, research, education, public policy, and youth development. As the founder of GIAT (Gujarat Institute of AI & Technology), he is focused on expanding access to modern AI education and encouraging young people to explore research, innovation, and technology. His work brings together AI research, policy thinking, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for Gujarat’s emerging generation. Through his Gujarat-1 Sankalp, he promotes themes of youth empowerment, research, education, innovation, technology, and public service toward a knowledge-driven Gujarat.

Ujjwal Baluja, Founder- Gauri Shankar Social Foundation

Ujjwal Baluja is emerging as a purpose-driven community leader and social entrepreneur committed to creating meaningful change through healthcare, humanitarian support, environmental awareness, and community welfare. As the founder of Gauri Shankar Social Foundation, he has focused on turning the idea of social responsibility into consistent action, with initiatives designed to support communities and encourage greater public participation. His approach emphasizes compassion, accessibility, and long-term community development, extending beyond individual welfare activities to inspire collective responsibility. Through continued efforts in social service and community engagement, Ujjwal Baluja represents a new generation of leaders using purpose, action, and service to contribute towards a healthier and more socially responsible society.

Niladri Banerjee

Niladri Banerjee is a Kolkata-based technology entrepreneur, AI engineer, Electronics and Communication engineer, software developer, and robotics professional. He is the Founder of Marktech Labs, working across artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, IoT, embedded systems, electronics, automation, wireless communication, and software engineering. Engineer graduate of Techno Main Salt Lake, Kolkata, Niladri combines hardware and software to develop practical technology solutions, intelligent systems, connected devices, and emerging technology products. His interests include AI, humanoid robotics, embedded technology, automation, and AI-powered devices.

He is also an officially licensed Amateur Radio operator in India, reflecting his interest in wireless communication and electronics. Based in Kolkata, Banerjee continues to build technology ventures and innovative engineering solutions through Marktech Labs for users and markets globally.

Dr. Chandan Dash

Bringing a Practical Perspective to Technology, Management and Social Change

Dr. Chandan Dash has emerged as a thoughtful voice on issues shaping modern workplaces, technology and society. His perspectives cover diverse areas, from Artificial Intelligence and Human Resource Management to facility management, legal reforms and the changing pressures faced by citizens and organizations. He emphasizes that technology should complement human judgment rather than replace it, while promoting efficiency, transparency and responsible decision-making.

His views also highlight the importance of employee well-being, organizational resilience, citizen-friendly systems and effective governance. By connecting technological transformation with practical human concerns, Dr. Chandan Dash presents a balanced perspective on how institutions and professionals can adapt to a rapidly changing world while keeping people at the centre of progress.