Pratik Gauri
Pratik Gauri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 17, 1990 New Delhi |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | India |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | 5ire, 5th Element Group, World Economic Forum (Global Shaper), Dream Tank, Let's Do This Global, Glastic, Starbucks, Unilever, Greenbiz Group, India Needs You Foundation, One Young World, Alexis Group, Hive Global, Horasis, Real Leaders, Molinari Media, Reckitt, Startupbootcamp.org, Social Impact Alliance, AltCtrl, Ecobora, Let's Go Social, British Petroleum, EPX Worldwide, Earth Day Network, Teach for Green, Bodhi Vriksha |
| Website | |
Pratik Gauri (born October 17, 1990) is an Indian serial entrepreneur, investor, and public speaker, best known as the Founder and CEO of 5ire.org, a blockchain ecosystem promoting the principles of sustainability, innovation, and social impact.[1] He is widely recognized for coining and advocating the concept of the 5th Industrial Revolution,[2] which emphasizes aligning profit with purpose through technology-driven innovation.[3] Gauri has been referred to as the "Mark Zuckerberg of India" for his impact and leadership in technology for social good.[4][5]
Early Life and Education
Gauri was born and raised in New Delhi, India. He completed his schooling at Ryan International School and later earned a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. He pursued an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and completed a certificate program in Strategic Management of NGO and Non-Profit Organisations at the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago.
Career
In 2021, Gauri co-founded 5ire.org, a blockchain startup that reached unicorn status—valued at over $1 billion—in under one year.[6] He conceptualized the 5th Industrial Revolution as a founding principle for shaping a for-purpose world that combines sustainability, innovation, and business viability. According to him, "Most of the world’s complex problems can be solved if we create traffic on the bridge between key performance indicators and social impact."[7][8]
Gauri’s vision for 5ire centers around building a comprehensive ecosystem to power this revolution. The platform includes a layer-1 blockchain (5ireChain), a digital asset exchange, an NFT/metaverse marketplace, a 5ire Wallet, and a venture capital arm (5ire Capital). At the heart of the ecosystem is its proprietary Sustainable Proof-of-Stake (SPoS) protocol — the world’s first blockchain model that rewards sustainable behavior aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[9][10]
His approach to 5ire is marked by a sense of adventure, bold leadership, and purpose-first principles. Gauri built a high-performing founding team and established global partnerships before even launching the 5ire testnet. Notable early partners included the Goa Police, Muzaffarnagar Police, and Abu Dhabi University. Additionally, global figures such as Didier Drogba, the iconic footballer, and Apurva Chamaria, Google Venture Capital Head, joined the 5ire mission as business advisors.[11]
To maintain 5ire’s founder-led integrity, Gauri even returned a $100 million investment commitment—underscoring his commitment to the company’s vision over external pressures.[12][13][14]
Other Ventures
In addition to 5ire, Gauri is the co-founder of India Needs You, a non-profit foundation that empowers youth leadership through workshops and training programs. The organization has reached over 25,000 young adults through more than 15 workshops covering entrepreneurship, public policy, women’s empowerment, and more.[15]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, India Needs You received funding from global institutions and figures such as One Young World, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Justin Trudeau, Desmond Tutu, and Emma Watson to support pandemic-related efforts in India.[16]
Global Partnerships and Advisors
Gauri has formed key partnerships with government bodies and academic institutions, including NITI Aayog, Goa Police, Muzaffarnagar Police, and Abu Dhabi University, to implement blockchain-based solutions for governance, law enforcement,[17] and education.
In 2022, Didier Drogba, former footballer and humanitarian, joined 5ire as a business advisor. Gauri has also brought on Apurva Chamaria, a senior executive at Google, as an advisor to the company.
Thought Leadership and Advocacy
Gauri has spoken in over 25 countries, including three TEDx talks. He is known for his advocacy of the 5th Industrial Revolution,[18] using blockchain and emerging technologies to address global challenges while ensuring profitability.[19]
His insights and work have been featured by major organizations and platforms including the World Economic Forum, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, Economic Times, NASDAQ, TED, and Hurun India. He is active on social media, with over one million followers across platforms.
Awards and Recognition
Gauri has received multiple national and international accolades, including:
- Hurun UK Under 40
- Entrepreneur 35 Under 35
- Times 40 Under 40
- AsiaOne 40 Under 40
- GreenBiz Global 30 Under 30[20][21][22]
- ET Now Leaders of Tomorrow
- Top 10 Blockchain Personalities to Follow – IB Times
- Creative Entrepreneur of the Year – Entrepreneur India
- Top 25 Blockchain Technology CEOs of 2022 – Technolav Innovators
- REX Karmaveer Chakra (Global Fellow & Awardee)
- British Petroleum Scholar
- UNLEASH 2019 Winner
- World Economic Forum – Global Shaper
- Ambassador – One Young World
- Al Gore’s Climate Leader
- MIT Technology Review Global Panel Member
- Economic Times Global Indian Leaders 2022
- Youth Icon of the Year – Indian Achievers Awards[23]
Personal Life
Gauri resides in New Delhi, India. He is fluent in multiple languages and is known for his commitment to social impact. His long-term vision is to beneficially impact one billion lives by aligning technology with sustainable development.
Gallery
In the media
References
- ↑ "Pratik Gauri". ET Now GBS. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pratik Gauri is on a mission to create 5th Industrial Revolution". The Statesman. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pratik Gauri". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "'Mark Zuckerberg of India' Pratik Gauri Ventures into Hollywood". The Blast. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "This 29-Year-Old Entrepreneur Is Helping the World". Entrepreneur India. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Blockchain With a Purpose: Insights from Pratik Gauri". Masters’ Union. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Binance's Changpeng Zhao Blasts 5ire CEO Pratik Gauri". Livemint. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Binance Co-Founder Calls Out Company For Misusing Selfie". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Intersection of Blockchain and Sustainability with Pratik Gauri". Fintech TV. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Dubai's Web3 Startup Founders and India's Crypto Scene". YourStory. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Binance CEO Slams Indian Company for Misusing Selfie". News18. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "5ire Raises $100 Million at $1.5 Billion Valuation". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Blockchain Startup 5ire Becomes Unicorn". Inc42. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "5ire Secures $100 Million from GEM, Eyes IPO". CNBC TV18. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Didier Drogba Crypto Startup 5ire Faces Collapse". Sifted. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pratik Gauri - ITU Smart Cities Bio". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Indian Law Conclave on Changing Landscapes of Legal Systems". Ten News. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Meet 29-Year-Old Pratik Gauri Creating 5th Industrial Revolution". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "The Men We Love: Pratik Gauri, Founder & CEO, 5ire". Femina. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "2019 GreenBiz 30 Under 30". Trellis. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "30 Young Leaders Building Carbon Neutral Futures". One Young World. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "Pratik Gauri Recognized on GreenBiz 30 Under 30". Newswire. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ↑ "5ire's CEO Pratik Gauri Conferred "Youth Icon of the Year"". Business World. Retrieved 17 July 2025.