Raksha Bandhan: 9 Indian Sibling Partners Building Successful Businesses

By: Ayushi Dutta, Senior Correspondent

4. Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani: Sibling Partners leading Reliance Retail and Jio

Twins Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani represent one of India's most prominent examples of sibling leadership within a major business group. While their father, Mukesh Ambani, oversees the broader Reliance Industries empire, the siblings have taken on significant responsibilities across its consumer-facing businesses.

Isha Ambani drives the expansion and digital transformation of Reliance Retail, including its global brand partnerships. Her twin brother, Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, leads the telecom and digital business, including its connectivity ecosystem and India's 5G expansion.

Their roles reflect a clear division of responsibilities while keeping both siblings aligned with the wider group's ambitions. Together, they represent the next generation of leadership shaping Reliance's retail and digital future.

Also Read: The Sibling Code: Seven Indian Sibling Duos Who Partnered to Build Successful Businesses

5. Sonya Hooja and Nikhil Barshikar: Sibling Partners leading Imarticus Learning

Sonya Hooja and Nikhil Barshikar, Co-founders of Imarticus Learning, brought their backgrounds in investment banking and strategy consulting into the professional education and upskilling sector. The platform focuses on job-relevant training across analytics, finance, technology, and management. Over more than a decade, the company has expanded across India and international markets, including the UAE and Southeast Asia. Sonya Hooja, President of Imarticus Learning, anchors core operations and academic frameworks, while Nikhil Barshikar, CEO of Imarticus Learning, leads the company's wider growth strategy.

Their complementary professional experience has allowed them to divide responsibilities while maintaining a shared focus on employability-led education. Their journey shows how sibling partnerships can combine strategic thinking with operational expertise to build a scalable business.

6. Shabna Salam and Shaiba Salam: Sibling Partners leading Maneraa

Sisters Shabna Salam and Shaiba Salam, Co-founders of Maneraa, identified an opportunity in India's highly fragmented fashion ecosystem. After leaving their respective careers in healthcare and commerce, the sisters recognised that many small-scale designers and retailers remained largely invisible in India's growing digital marketplace. Through Maneraa, they created a technology-driven e-commerce aggregator aimed at bringing curated and affordable fashion to customers, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities. Their complementary professional backgrounds support different aspects of the company, including platform logistics, vendor onboarding, and market outreach.

Their story highlights how sibling-led businesses can combine shared trust with different skill sets to solve gaps in established industries while supporting smaller Indian businesses and local craftsmanship.