At 21, Avishi Gupta represents a distinctive model of student leadership—one that moves decisively from lived experience to structured, scalable impact. A Commerce student at Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, University of Delhi, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to translate research, empathy, and institutional collaboration into ventures that deliver measurable outcomes.

Her most notable initiative, Project Riayat, emerged from a personal encounter with the challenges faced by a family member with a lower limb disability. What began as an observation soon developed into a rigorous inquiry. Avishi and her team conducted primary research through surveys, interviews, and field visits at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, engaging directly with wheelchair users, amputees, and differently-abled performers. These insights informed the design of adaptive clothing solutions—such as side-zippered trousers for prosthetic users, adjustable garments for wheelchair users, and innovations addressing challenges like menstruation management during performances.

However, Riayat’s intervention extends beyond product design. By partnering with organisations such as the Family of Disabled (FOD) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Avishi has embedded inclusion within the production process itself. The initiative currently engages 25–30 individuals with disabilities in manufacturing, while impacting over 100 beneficiaries through skill development, employment, and market access. The model integrates both B2B and B2C channels, with revenues directed back to the creators, thereby fostering financial independence alongside social dignity. Riayat has also conducted desensitisation workshops, reaching over 800 individuals, and secured significant orders, including a 350-unit production request, reflecting both demand and scalability.

As President of Enactus DCAC, Avishi has led a 150+ member team across six departments, overseeing more than 120 business meetings, 70 on-ground visits, and upwards of 30 strategic collaborations. Under her leadership, the organisation’s projects have achieved national recognition, including a 3rd position at the Enactus India National Exposition 2023. Her role as Strategic Innovations Consultant for Project Zaraat further highlights her versatility, driving solar-powered agricultural storage solutions that have benefited over 3,000 farmers.

Avishi’s professional experiences reinforce this blend of analytical precision and practical execution. During her tenure at Ernst & Young (EY), she conducted detailed audits of employee costs, identifying inefficiencies exceeding 15% and contributing to a 20% improvement in financial accuracy. Her work also streamlined audit processes, reducing completion time by 30%. At uBreathe, she developed segmentation and positioning strategies, led market and competitor analysis, and facilitated influencer collaborations, while her research internship with the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry culminated in a comparative study of startup ecosystems across BRICS+ nations and a policy paper on India’s EdTech landscape.

Her achievements span over several awards in business competitions and research forums, including top positions at institutions such as IGDTUW, Lady Irwin College, and Jamia Millia Islamia. She has also been recognised for public speaking and academic excellence, securing 95% in her CBSE Class XII examinations and ranking in the 99th percentile in Business Studies, Economics, and English in CUET 2022.

Featured in platforms such as The Better India and YourStory, Gupta’s work has received national visibility, not merely for its innovation but for its emphasis on dignity, accessibility, and systemic change. What distinguishes her is her capacity to build at the intersection of empathy and execution—designing ventures that are not only socially conscious but operationally robust. In doing so, Avishi Gupta exemplifies a new generation of young leaders who are redefining entrepreneurship as a tool for inclusive and sustained impact.