Pratik Gauri is on a mission to change the world. A visionary entrepreneur from New Delhi, he has become a global leader in aligning profit with purpose. From launching his first startup at 16 to building a billion dollar blockchain company before turning 30, Gauri’s story is a true inspiration for anyone who believes business can be a force for good.
Born and raised in India’s capital city, Gauri grew up seeing social and environmental challenges all around him. This inspired him to dream bigger and think differently. He came up with the idea of the 5th Industrial Revolution, a powerful movement that focuses on creating a for-benefit world where businesses don’t just make money but also solve real problems.
Gauri strongly believes that companies can move from for-profit to for-benefit without sacrificing growth. According to him, “You can make more money if you do good to the world.” His life and work are proof that financial success and social impact can go hand in hand.
Starting Young: A Teenage Entrepreneur
At just 16, while most teenagers were still figuring out school and hobbies, Gauri launched his first startup. By age 20, he had already exited his first venture successfully. His early career also included working with global giants like Starbucks and Unilever on sustainability projects. These experiences convinced him that business can be a powerful platform to drive change.
Gauri’s bold mission has always been to show the world that doing good is good business. And he has done exactly that.
The Birth of 5ire: A Blockchain Revolution
In 2021, Gauri co-founded 5ire, pronounced “fire,” a blockchain startup that aims to power the 5th Industrial Revolution. In an almost unbelievable journey, 5ire became a unicorn valued at over 1 billion dollars in just 11 months.
The core innovation behind 5ire is its Sustainable Proof of Stake mechanism. Unlike traditional blockchains that focus only on speed and cost, 5ire rewards participants for supporting sustainability and social impact initiatives. It is the first blockchain ecosystem designed to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals directly.
Gauri’s vision for 5ire is massive. He wants to build a complete ecosystem that includes a layer 1 blockchain called 5ireChain, a digital asset exchange, a secure wallet, an NFT and metaverse marketplace, and even a venture capital wing called 5ire Capital. Each piece of the puzzle is built to promote transparency, responsibility, and social good.
In a powerful move that highlighted his commitment to mission over money, Gauri famously returned a 100 million dollar investment offer. This was to keep 5ire fully founder owned and ensure its independence to pursue its purpose first mission. Such actions show his dedication and long term thinking, putting community and impact above quick profits.
Global Partnerships and Support
Gauri’s work has attracted partners from across the world. Before its public launch, 5ire was already working with government agencies and top universities. The Goa Police and Muzaffarnagar Police in India partnered with 5ire to bring blockchain solutions into law enforcement. Abu Dhabi University also adopted 5ire’s technology to modernize education systems.
Big names have also joined hands with Gauri to guide 5ire’s growth. Football legend Didier Drogba became a business advisor in 2022, bringing global attention to the project. Apurva Chamaria, a top executive at Google, also came on board as an advisor. These collaborations help Gauri bridge the worlds of sports, academia, technology, and social good.
Recognition and Awards
By his early 30s, Pratik Gauri had already collected an impressive list of awards. He was featured in the Hurun UK Under 40 Rich List in 2024 and named a Global Innovator by the World Economic Forum. He was recognized in Times 40 Under 40, Entrepreneur Magazine’s 35 Under 35, and BusinessWorld’s 40 Under 40.
He also made it to GreenBiz’s Global 30 Under 30 for his leadership in sustainability. Gauri has delivered TEDx talks three times, inspiring audiences worldwide, and was recently nominated for the Global Innovation Award at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Festival.
With over one million followers on social media, Gauri is not only a tech leader but also a powerful influencer who inspires young entrepreneurs and changemakers around the globe.
Giving Back and Empowering Youth
Gauri believes that leadership is about giving back. He co-founded India Needs You, a nonprofit organization focused on youth leadership and civic awareness. Through this initiative, he has personally hosted over 15 workshops across India, training more than 25,000 young people in entrepreneurship, public policy, and social change.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gauri led India Needs You in delivering crucial resources and awareness to communities in need. Their efforts earned global recognition and support, including a special COVID-19 Young Leaders grant from the One Young World forum, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and leaders like Justin Trudeau and Desmond Tutu.
Gauri’s work with India Needs You shows that his commitment to purpose goes beyond business. His deep belief in empowering the next generation reflects his long term vision for a better, more equitable world.
A Community First Leader
As a leader, Gauri has always put community first. Inside 5ire, he has created a culture of shared ownership and collaboration. He understands that the success of decentralized technology relies on strong, engaged communities. This approach has helped build a passionate developer network and global support base for 5ire from its earliest days.
He measures success by lives impacted, not just dollars earned. Gauri’s ultimate goal is to positively impact one billion lives through his work, a bold mission that guides every decision he makes.
Looking Ahead
Pratik Gauri believes that blockchain and AI are the keys to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges, from climate change and education to healthcare and poverty. He is showing companies, investors, and donors that aligning with purpose can be a winning strategy.
By proving that you can make more money if you do good to the world, Gauri has become a symbol of a new kind of entrepreneurship. He is not just building a business, he is building a movement.
Through his bold vision, unstoppable energy, and unwavering commitment to purpose, Pratik Gauri is lighting the way for a new era of business, one where technology, prosperity, and social impact work together to create a better world for all.
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