Gen Z leads India’s startup boom, says LinkedIn report

India is witnessing a sharp rise in entrepreneurship, driven by AI adoption, flexible work trends and changing career aspirations. LinkedIn data shows a 104 per cent jump in members adding “Founder” to their profiles, with Gen Z leading the transformation.

Hyderabad: India is emerging as a leading indicator of how entrepreneurship is evolving globally. LinkedIn data shows a 104 per cent year-on-year increase in members adding ‘Founder’ to their profile in India, the highest across markets, alongside a surge in entrepreneurial activity and ambition.

This new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging as AI lowers barriers to entry, career priorities shift, and definitions of success evolve. Gen Z is leading a move toward more flexible ways of working, with three in four (75 per cent) Gen Z entrepreneurs reporting multiple income streams, compared to 62 per cent of Gen X.

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AI and digital tools are making entrepreneurship more accessible, lowering traditional barriers such as cost, connections, and expertise.

Younger entrepreneurs are driving this change, with 85 per cent of Gen Z entrepreneurs saying AI and digital tools are important to their business, and many crediting it with making starting their business feel possible.

LinkedIn India Country Manager Kumaresh Pattabiraman said India has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, but what is changing now is how quickly people can act on it.