Early Life and the Entrepreneurial Spark
Rachit Poddar’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in a legacy of business excellence and an early exposure to enterprise-building. Born into a second-generation business family in Surat, Gujarat, he grew up witnessing the realities of building, scaling, and sustaining businesses. His family’s long-standing presence in the textile and Indian ethnic wear industry provided him with first-hand insights into operations, supply chains, manufacturing, and market dynamics from a young age.
While this environment grounded him in traditional business values, Rachit’s ambitions extended far beyond convention. Even in his early twenties, he envisioned a career that would blend legacy industries with modern innovation, global exposure, and venture-driven growth. Today, at just 29 years old, Rachit Poddar stands as a multifaceted entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder with an expanding footprint across industries and geographies.
Education That Built a Global Perspective
Rachit’s academic journey reflects his commitment to continuous learning and a truly global mindset. He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Management from the University of Wolverhampton (Mumbai campus), where he built a strong foundation in strategy, management, and finance.
Driven by a desire to deepen his entrepreneurial understanding, he pursued specialized programs in Entrepreneurship at S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, followed by a Summer School program at the University of Oxford, U.K. He later earned an MSc in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Enterprise Development from the University of Westminster, London, gaining in-depth exposure to startup ecosystems, venture building, and innovation frameworks.
To complement his academic learning, Rachit completed Executive Education in Corporate Finance from London Business School, along with short programs from Harvard Business School Online, IIM-Ahmedabad, and Draper University. This blend of Indian and global education laid the foundation for his cross-border approach to investments, leadership, and innovation.
From Family Business to Multi-Sector Leadership
After completing his studies, Rachit returned to India and assumed leadership responsibilities within Rachit Group, a family-run enterprise established in 1992. The group is a significant player in the textile industry, producing premium fabrics and designer Indian ethnic wear for women, catering to leading brands across India and exporting internationally.
While strengthening the group’s traditional operations, Rachit simultaneously expanded into new-age sectors. Over time, he evolved into a strategic investor, director, and partner in over 80 ventures and 5+ funds, spanning industries such as EV, fintech, consumer brands, agritech, cleantech, artificial intelligence, textiles, and enterprise solutions.
This rare dual exposure balancing legacy manufacturing businesses with future-focused ventures defines Rachit’s unique entrepreneurial edge.
Building a Startup Ecosystem: IVY Growth Associates
A cornerstone of Rachit’s entrepreneurial journey is IVY Growth Associates, which he co-founded as an angel network and venture capital platform. IVY focuses on backing startups from early growth to scale-up stages, providing not just capital but also mentorship, governance support, and access to global networks.
Under Rachit’s leadership, IVY has supported startups across India and international markets, helping founders navigate fundraising, scaling challenges, and global expansion. Beyond investments, Rachit has actively curated and hosted 20+ startup and investor events across India, Dubai, and London, reinforcing his belief that capital must be paired with community, knowledge, and long-term vision.
He has also participated as an investor and delegate at global platforms such as Web Summit (Portugal) and GITEX Dubai, strengthening India’s visibility within the global startup ecosystem.
21by72 Startup Summit & International Investor Summit
Rachit’s ecosystem-building vision found its most visible expression through 21by72 – India’s Premier Startup Summit. Hosted annually in Surat for the past four years, 21by72 has evolved into one of India’s most impactful entrepreneurial platforms.
The summit brings together thousands of founders, investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders from PAN India and 10+ countries, offering startup pitching opportunities, investor networking, masterclasses, and high-impact discussions. Over the years, 21by72 has helped nurture and fund hundreds of startups while positioning Surat as a fast-emerging startup hub.
Extending this vision globally, Rachit launched the International Investor Summit, hosting two successful seasons in the UAE at Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi and DIFC Dubai, attracting 500+ elite global investors. These summits have featured leading names from Shark Tank India, prominent business leaders, athletes, celebrities, and veteran investors creating a powerful convergence of capital, influence, and innovation.
3 C’s & Co. Jewels – Modern Luxury with Purpose
Beyond investments and ecosystems, Rachit is also the founder of 3 C’s & Co. Jewels, a luxury lab-grown diamond jewellery brand that blends modern design with traditional craftsmanship and ethical sourcing.
With its first luxury boutique launched in Surat, the brand is set to expand across India and select international markets. The venture reflects Rachit’s belief in building future-ready brands that align luxury with sustainability, innovation, and conscious consumerism.
Global Connectivity and Cross-Border Impact
Rachit’s entrepreneurial identity is inherently global. Having lived and worked across London, Dubai, Mumbai, and Bangalore, he has built strong international networks that connect startups with investors across continents.
His work focuses on creating strategic corridors between Indian founders and global capital markets, particularly in the Middle East and Europe. This global exposure allows him to identify emerging trends early and adapt business strategies across diverse markets.
Recognition, Influence, and Thought Leadership
Despite his young age, Rachit has received multiple recognitions as one of India’s most promising young entrepreneurs. He is associated with global organizations such as Forbes Business Council, Corporate Connections, TiE Global, IVCA, BNI, Institute of Directors (London), Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, JCI, Dubai Young Professionals, and Della Leaders Club.
He holds a Global Top Voice badge on LinkedIn and has built a collective social media following of 50,000+, using these platforms to share insights on startups, investments, and leadership. His journey has been featured across business platforms, inspiring founders navigating modern entrepreneurship.
The Struggles Behind the Success
Behind the milestones lies a story of persistence. Entering the venture and investment world at a young age came with skepticism, pressure, and high expectations. Balancing traditional businesses with fast-paced new-age ventures required resilience, adaptability, and long working hours.
Rachit often emphasizes learning from failures, staying grounded, and maintaining clarity of vision during uncertain phases lessons that deeply resonate with early-stage founders.
Life Beyond Business
Outside boardrooms and summits, Rachit is a passionate traveler. Having visited 36+ countries and over 100 cities, he draws inspiration from diverse cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Travel plays a key role in shaping his global outlook and ability to connect across cultures, reinforcing his philosophy of thinking globally while acting locally.
Looking Ahead: Vision and Purpose
Looking ahead, Rachit Poddar remains focused on scaling his vision across multiple fronts. A key priority is the strategic expansion and modernization of Rachit Group, strengthening its leadership in textiles and Indian ethnic wear while exploring new markets, premium product lines, and global export opportunities.
Parallelly, he is actively expanding 3 C’s & Co. Jewels, with plans to establish luxury boutiques across major Indian cities and select global markets, positioning lab-grown diamonds as the new standard of conscious luxury.
Alongside these initiatives, Rachit continues to scale 21by72 into global startup destinations and strengthen IVY Growth Associates as a cross-border investment platform supporting founders from idea to scale.
At the core of his journey lies a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, preserving legacy while embracing innovation, and building ventures that create lasting economic and social impact.
Do follow him on Instagram.
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