Top 10 Profit-Making Startups in India
1. Zoho
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Founded: 1996
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Sector: SaaS (Software as a Service)
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Why it’s profitable:
Zoho has grown without external funding. It focuses on creating affordable business tools for companies across the globe. With a solid product suite and global reach, Zoho has become a bootstrapped success story.
2. Zerodha
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Founded: 2010
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Sector: Fintech / Stock Trading
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Why it’s profitable:
Zerodha disrupted the Indian stock trading market with zero brokerage on delivery trades and a tech-driven platform. With over 1 crore users and a lean cost structure, it reported hundreds of crores in profit in recent years.
3. InfoEdge (Parent company of Naukri.com, 99acres, Jeevansathi)
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Founded: 1995
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Sector: Job Portals, Real Estate, Matrimony
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Why it’s profitable:
InfoEdge built strong brands in different niches and monetized through ads, premium listings, and subscriptions. It’s also known for its early investment in Zomato, which added to its value.
4. OfBusiness
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Founded: 2015
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Sector: B2B Commerce & Financing
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Why it’s profitable:
By helping small businesses get raw materials and credit, OfBusiness operates with healthy margins and strong cash flows. It’s one of the rare unicorns that’s both valued highly and profitable.
5. EaseMyTrip
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Founded: 2008
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Sector: Travel
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Why it’s profitable:
Unlike other travel startups that rely heavily on discounts, EaseMyTrip followed a zero-convenience fee model and focused on organic growth. Even during the pandemic, it stayed profitable.
6. Infra.Market
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Founded: 2016
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Sector: Construction & Infrastructure
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Why it’s profitable:
Infra. The market supplies materials to construction companies. Its strength lies in supply chain efficiency and bulk demand. Smart inventory control has achieved impressive margins.
7. Nykaa
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Founded: 2012
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Sector: Beauty & Fashion
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Why it’s profitable:
Nykaa began as a beauty-focused eCommerce platform and later expanded into fashion. By managing private labels and combining online + offline stores, Nykaa reached profitability before its IPO.
8. CarTrade
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Founded: 2009
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Sector: Used Cars & Auto Services
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Why it’s profitable:
CarTrade earns through listing fees, ad revenue, and transaction commissions. Its scalable tech model and low operational costs make it a strong profit-making startup.
9. IndiaMART
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Founded: 1999
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Sector: B2B Marketplace
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Why it’s profitable:
IndiaMart connects businesses and buyers. Its subscription-based revenue and minimal logistics costs have helped it maintain steady profits year after year.
10. SUGAR Cosmetics
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Founded: 2015
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Sector: Beauty & Personal Care
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Why it’s profitable:
Targeting millennials with trendy products and D2C (direct-to-customer) channels, SUGAR focuses on strong branding and customer loyalty. Its rapid expansion into offline stores also supports profits.
What Sets These Startups Apart?
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Strong Unit Economics
They earn more from customers than they spend on acquiring them. -
Sustainable Business Models
No over-reliance on discounts or heavy marketing. -
Customer-Centric Approach
Focused on solving real problems and creating value. -
Controlled Costs
These startups keep a tight grip on expenses.
