New Delhi: Entrepreneur Kanika Tekriwal, founder and CEO of JetSetGo, has emerged as one of India’s most inspiring business leaders after building a Rs 420 crore private aviation company from an initial investment of just Rs 5,600. Her entrepreneurial journey is remarkable not only because of her business success but also because she overcame Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her early twenties before turning her dream into reality.
Today, JetSetGo operates one of India’s largest fleets of private aircraft and helicopters, making Tekriwal one of the country’s most successful self-made women entrepreneurs.
Diagnosed with cancer at 21
Born into a Marwari family, Kanika Tekriwal grew up with an interest in finance and entrepreneurship. After completing her education in Bhopal and graduating from Coventry University in the UK, she decided to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions.
However, at the age of 21, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a life-changing moment that threatened to derail her plans.
Recalling that period, Tekriwal has said that several doctors gave her little hope, but she refused to give up. Instead, she chose to focus on recovery while planning the future she envisioned for herself.
In an earlier interview, she said surviving cancer taught her that life is short and encouraged her to pursue her dreams without delay.
Building JetSetGo with just Rs 5,600
After recovering from cancer, Tekriwal founded JetSetGo in 2014 with an investment of only Rs 5,600.
Rather than purchasing aircraft, she built a technology-driven platform that connected aircraft owners with customers looking for private aviation services. The model brought greater transparency and efficiency to India’s fragmented charter aviation industry.
Over the years, the company expanded rapidly and today manages one of the country’s largest private aviation fleets, serving business executives, celebrities and high-net-worth individuals.
JetSetGo now has operations in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, New York and Dubai, and is backed by prominent investors, including industrialist Puneet Dalmia and former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh.
Breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry
The aviation sector has traditionally been dominated by men, making Tekriwal’s journey even more significant.
She has previously spoken about facing scepticism from industry veterans, many of whom questioned her ability to build a successful aviation business.
Despite the challenges, she remained focused on her vision and gradually earned recognition for transforming India’s private aviation landscape through innovation and technology.
Recognition and achievements
Kanika Tekriwal’s achievements have earned her widespread recognition both in India and internationally.
She has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and recognised among India’s richest self-made women entrepreneurs. She also joined the panel of investors on Shark Tank India Season 5, where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders.
Her entrepreneurial journey continues to inspire young business leaders, particularly women looking to build companies in unconventional industries.
A story of resilience
Kanika Tekriwal’s journey demonstrates how resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest personal and professional challenges.
From battling cancer in her early twenties to creating a Rs 420 crore aviation enterprise with a modest investment, she has become a symbol of perseverance and innovation.
Her story highlights that setbacks do not define success; rather, the ability to overcome them often shapes extraordinary achievements.