Cancer Survivor Builds $50M Jet Empire from $70 Start

When doctors told 21-year-old Kanika Tekriwal she had four months to live, she made them a promise: they'd share a drink together in 40 years.

Diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Tekriwal refused to accept the grim prognosis from 40 different doctors. She found a specialist in Mumbai who believed in her fighting spirit, and together they beat the cancer.

Surviving the disease transformed her outlook completely. "Life is short and I have to live for myself," she told Vogue India in 2022, reflecting on how cancer freed her from family expectations that she simply get educated and marry well.

At 23, fresh from her cancer victory, Tekriwal founded JetSetGo in 2014 with just 5,600 rupees (about $70 USD). She entered one of the most male-dominated industries in the world with virtually no capital and faced immediate skepticism.

"Sometimes people suggested I should take up baking cupcakes instead," she recalled. Being assertive earned her labels like "arrogant," while men displaying the same qualities were called "passionate."

But Tekriwal stayed focused on her vision. She built the company without traditional fundraising, relying instead on smart partnerships and operational excellence to grow organically.

Why This Inspires

Today, JetSetGo operates India's largest fleet of private jets and helicopters, worth over 420 crore rupees (approximately $50 million USD). The company has expanded to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, New York, and Dubai, with backing from business leaders and cricket star Yuvraj Singh.

Forbes recognized her achievements, naming her to their 30 Under 30 list in both 2016 and 2017. By 2021, she appeared on India's list of richest self-made women.

Her journey proves that the biggest obstacles can become the greatest catalysts. The cancer diagnosis that nearly ended her life actually gave her the courage to pursue her dreams without compromise.

Tekriwal recently appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5, sharing her story with millions and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs. She's also married with a young son, balancing motherhood with leading a groundbreaking aviation company.

From a hospital bed to the cockpit of India's aviation revolution, Tekriwal turned 70 dollars and unshakeable determination into an empire that soars.