Hyderabad has steadily transformed from the historic City of Pearls into one of India’s most dynamic and influential startup hubs. Backed by proactive government policies, a strong talent pool, and world-class infrastructure, the city has emerged as a preferred destination for technology-led entrepreneurship.
A key driver of this growth is T-Hub, India’s largest startup incubator, which is capable of supporting hundreds of startups simultaneously. Alongside T-Hub, initiatives such as WE-Hub, TASK, and government-backed innovation policies have strengthened Hyderabad’s startup ecosystem. Today, Hyderabad is widely regarded as one of India’s top startup ecosystems.
From SaaS and artificial intelligence to space technology and fintech, Hyderabad-based startups are not only serving Indian markets but are also competing on a global stage. Here are 10 prominent startups established in Hyderabad that continue to shape the future of technology and enterprise.
1. Keka HR
Founded: 2014
Sector: HR & Payroll SaaS
Keka has become one of India’s most trusted HR and payroll platforms for small and mid-sized enterprises. Known for its intuitive design and automation-first approach, Keka simplifies HR operations including attendance, payroll, performance management, and employee engagement.
Notable Clients: Boult Audio, Sleepy Owl, Bakingo, Shaadi.com, OnePlus, Noise, Bikanervala, Unbox Robotics
Headquarters: Hyderabad
2. PurpleTalk
Founded: 2008
Sector: Digital Commerce & Engineering Services
PurpleTalk is a leading digital engineering and transformation partner for enterprises, helping global brands build scalable commerce platforms and digital experiences. The company plays a crucial role in bridging enterprise systems with modern customer-facing technologies.
Notable Clients: Honeywell, DreamWorks Studios, General Electric, Amazon, UnitedHealth Group
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
3. HUG Innovations
Founded: 2014
Sector: Wearable Technology & IoT
HUG Innovations is an innovation-led technology firm that brought global attention to Hyderabad with its patented, gesture-controlled wearable devices. The company focuses on applications in safety, fitness, gaming, and immersive technologies, showcasing the city’s deep-tech capabilities.
Use Cases: Health, safety, gaming, automotive, VR/AR solutions
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
4. NowFloats
Founded: 2012
Sector: SME Digital Enablement
NowFloats played a pivotal role in bringing small and local businesses online by offering simple website-building and digital presence tools. The platform helped lakhs of SMEs establish an online footprint with minimal technical knowledge.
Target Users: Small and local businesses across India
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
Acquired By: Reliance Industries (Jio)
5. Zenoti
Founded: 2010
Sector: Wellness & Salon SaaS
Zenoti is a global vertical SaaS leader powering salons, spas, and wellness chains worldwide. The platform handles everything from appointments and billing to analytics and customer engagement, making it a critical backbone for the wellness industry.
Notable Clients: Toni & Guy, European Wax Center, Massage Heights
Founded In: Hyderabad
Global Headquarters: Bellevue, Washington, USA
6. Skyroot Aerospace
Founded: 2018
Sector: Private Space Technology
Skyroot Aerospace represents India’s growing private space ambitions. The startup is focused on affordable launch solutions for small satellites and has successfully conducted multiple sub-orbital and orbital launch milestones.
Clients: Commercial and government satellite operators
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
7. Darwinbox
Founded: 2015
Sector: Enterprise HR Tech SaaS
Darwinbox is one of Hyderabad’s most celebrated startup success stories. The company offers an end-to-end HR platform for mid-to-large enterprises and has achieved unicorn status, placing Hyderabad firmly on the global SaaS map.
Notable Clients: Mahindra, Kotak, MakeMyTrip, Swiggy, Nivea
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
8. Swipe
Founded: 2021
Sector: Fintech & Billing SaaS for SMEs
Swipe offers a simple GST-compliant invoicing and payments app for small businesses in India. Users create invoices in seconds, share via WhatsApp, and accept UPI payments instantly. The YC-backed platform also handles inventory, expenses, and analytics for kirana stores and retailers.
Notable Clients: Small and medium businesses across India
Headquarters: Hyderabad
9. Zaggle
Founded: 2011
Sector: Employee Benefits & Spend Management
Zaggle operates at the intersection of fintech and enterprise software, offering solutions for employee benefits, expense management, and prepaid payment instruments. The company is also publicly listed, reflecting its scale and maturity.
Notable Clients: PepsiCo, ITC, Tata Power, Volvo
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
10. GrabOn
Founded: 2013
Sector: E-commerce Deals & Coupons Platform
GrabOn caters to India’s price-sensitive digital shoppers by aggregating deals and discount coupons across e-commerce, travel, and food delivery platforms. The startup continues to drive significant traffic and conversions for major online brands.
Notable Clients: Amazon, Swiggy, Zomato, Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, BookMyShow
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
These startups collectively highlight Hyderabad’s evolution into a global technology and innovation hub. From profitable bootstrapped SaaS companies to unicorns and space-tech pioneers, Hyderabad’s startup ecosystem reflects depth, diversity, and long-term sustainability.
With continued policy support, infrastructure expansion, and a growing talent base, Hyderabad is well-positioned to play a defining role in India’s startup and technology story over the next decade.
