Indian Start-ups Turning Profitable in 2025: Who’s Winning?

Profitable Indian Startups 2025 are gaining momentum post-pandemic. Discover how Vedantu, Paytm, Practo, and others are leading India’s startup success with sustainable growth.

After years of chasing scale and market share, a quiet revolution is sweeping India’s start-up ecosystem in 2025: profitability. With global funding drying up and investor expectations evolving, Indian start-ups are no longer rewarded just for user growth—they’re being pushed to prove long-term sustainability. In this new climate, several companies have not only survived but also thrived by turning profitable, sending strong signals to VCs, IPO markets, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

This shift comes after years of unicorn hype and massive funding rounds that often led to unsustainable cash burn. The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects acted as a wake-up call, pushing many start-ups to rethink their core business models. Now in 2025, we’re seeing the realignment bear fruit—particularly among start-ups that adapted quickly, focused on their unit economics, and aligned operations with market needs.

1. Vedantu (Edtech – Bengaluru)

• Achieved its first-ever profitable quarter in Q4 FY25 (March 2025), with collections surging 67% year-on-year to ₹90 crore.
• Strong revenue growth and operational efficiency helped the company hit this milestone.

2. Paytm / One97 Communications (Fintech)

• Reported a net profit of ₹123 crore in Q1 FY26 (quarter ended June 2025), reversing a loss of ₹840 crore a year earlier.
• Profitability driven by robust growth in payments and lending, plus a strategic 19% reduction in operating costs.
• Revenue rose 28% YoY to ₹1,918 crore.

3. DriveU (On-demand Driver Platform – Bengaluru)

• Delivered a 22% jump in FY25 revenue to ₹111.8 crore, with net profit rising to ₹1.7 crore.
• Performance attributed to increased driver bookings and improved margins in its B2B transport service.

4. Practo (Healthtech – Bengaluru)

• Achieved profitability in March 2024, with revenue growth of 22% in FY24 to ₹240 crore (~$28 million).
• Plans accelerating international expansion into markets like Canada and Australia to boost growth further.

🌱 Honorable Mentions (Sustainable Profitability, FY23–24)

From Inc42 and other sources, firms like Zerodha, BoAt, Digit Insurance, Meesho, Groww, Nykaa, Udaan, and Dream11 have been recognized as profitable or scaling toward profitability. These “Indicorns” highlight India’s maturing startup ecosystem.

Why This Matters Now ?

💡 Shift in VC Priorities

Since 2024, investors have demanded profitability and strong unit economics over rapid expansion, reshaping startup strategies across fintech and edtech alike.

🏦 Financial Discipline Pays Off

As funding slowed, startups leaned into cost optimization—downsizing, focusing on margins, and boosting retention—to survive and thrive.

✅ Emerging Commitment to Sustainable Growth

2025 signals a tipping point—where profitability is no longer optional. Startups that prove long-term viability are gaining traction and investor confidence.

At a Glance: Who’s Clocking Profit?

Startup	Sector	Profitability Milestone	Key Drivers
Vedantu	Edtech	Profitable in Q4 FY25 (Mar ’25)	67% growth in collections
Paytm	Fintech	Net profit ₹123 Cr in Q1 FY26	Lending expansion, cost cutting
DriveU	Mobility	₹1.7 Cr net profit in FY25	Higher bookings, efficient ops
Practo	Healthtech	Profit in Mar 2024	International expansion, growth

The Road Ahead

The next wave of Indian startups is expected to follow a more disciplined, sustainable approach. Unicorns like Netra dyne are on track to achieve profitability by late 2025, reflecting how capital efficiency and targeted growth are becoming the new norm.

Start-ups such as Slice Small Finance Bank and Kuku FM have already achieved monthly break-even and are eyeing IPOs within the next 12–24 months. Their progress suggests a broader trend of start-ups transitioning from “cash burn” mode to viable, long-term enterprises.

Additionally, sectors like aggrotech, cleantech, and AI-powered SaaS are attracting impact-driven capital—meaning the next generation of profitable start-ups could also align with India’s social and environmental goals.

Bottom Line

2025 marks a pivotal moment: Indian startups are shifting from high-burn strategies to focused profitability. Successful cases like Vedantu, Paytm, DriveU, and Practo embody financial resilience and sustainable execution—setting benchmarks for entrepreneurs in India’s evolving ecosystem.