Startups That Captured India’s Spotlight in 2025 

In a year characterised by cautious funding, sharper unit economics, and a renewed  emphasis on profitability, India’s startup ecosystem continued to attract significant  public and media attention. According to Wizikey’s Newsmakers – Top Startups in India  2025 report, Dream11 emerged as the most prominent startup of the year, leading the  pack with its remarkable media presence. Despite facing a challenging macroeconomic  environment, several consumer-tech brands managed to stay consistently in the  limelight, influencing discussions across gaming, quick commerce, fintech, and  hospitality sectors. 

Dream11 Takes the Lead in Media Visibility 

Fantasy gaming giant Dream11 secured the top spot with an impressive NewsScore of  77.03, showcasing its unparalleled media dominance. The company was featured in  over 32,500 news articles and more than 21,000 headlines, achieving a staggering  cumulative reach of nearly 20 billion. From impactful IPL partnerships to ongoing  debates surrounding online gaming regulations, Dream11 remained at the forefront of  India’s digital entertainment narrative. Its sustained visibility highlights how leading a  category, combined with timely storytelling, can keep a brand relevant even during  broader industry slowdowns.

Quick Commerce and Hospitality Remain Key Focus Areas 

Zepto claimed the second position with a NewsScore of 73.71, solidifying quick  commerce as one of India’s most closely monitored startup segments. The 10-minute  delivery platform garnered over 21,600 news mentions and reached more than 26 billion  readers, underscoring the sector’s widespread appeal and investor enthusiasm. Zepto’s  ascent reflects the dominance of convenience-led, high-frequency use cases in  capturing consumer attention. 

OYO closely followed in third place with a NewsScore of 69.87. The hospitality giant  maintained strong visibility through updates on business expansion, debt restructuring,  and the gradual recovery of the travel and tourism sector. With over 11,800 media  mentions and a cumulative reach of 23.2 billion, OYO’s presence illustrates how  established startups can remain relevant by aligning with broader economic and  sectoral trends. 

Top Startups Shaping India’s Media Landscape 

Beyond the top three, the list also included Zerodha, Rapido, Meesho, Razorpay, Lava  International, boAt Lifestyle, and ACKO, completing the top ten rankings. Together,  these companies reflect the rich diversity of India’s startup ecosystem, spanning  fintech, mobility, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and insurance. Their consistent  media presence indicates that visibility is now driven not just by funding  announcements but by deeper narratives surrounding governance, scale, regulation,  and long-term impact. 

Evolving Narratives in India’s Startup Ecosystem 

The 2025 rankings also highlight structural shifts in how India’s startup stories are being  communicated. High-engagement, daily-use platforms such as gaming and instant  delivery now command a significant share of public attention. Simultaneously, the  inclusion of Zerodha, Razorpay, and ACKO underscores the growing importance of retail  investing, digital payments, and new-age insurance in India’s financial landscape. 

Brands like Lava International and boAt Lifestyle represent the emergence of “Made in  India” and value-driven consumer products in the mainstream startup dialogue. These  companies are shaping narratives around affordability, design, and local  manufacturing, transitioning from niche positioning to national relevance.

Visibility as a Strategic Advantage 

As noted by Wizikey’s leadership, the standout brands of 2025 treated communication  as a strategic function rather than an afterthought. Across various sectors, startups that  combined strong execution with clear, data-driven storytelling achieved more  consistent and lasting visibility. The leadership of Dream11, Zepto’s rapid ascent, and  OYO’s sustained presence together highlight a clear trend: in today’s competitive  ecosystem, visibility has become a crucial growth lever, intentionally built through  launches, partnerships, and purposeful engagement with the news cycle.