Nikhil Arya is a seasoned entrepreneur and the Founder & Chief Mentor at LeadUpIndia. Throughout his career, Arya has been deeply engaged in advising and consulting startups, mentoring youths across 28 Indian states in areas such as entrepreneurship, networking, public policy, and political science, and has been instrumental in founding LeadUpIndia and Club Indigo- An Education India's Initiative. His extensive experiences have endowed him with a rich skill set, including proficiency in entrepreneurship, program management, presentations & graphics, effective communication, networking, team leadership, and adaptability.

Arya has had the distinction of delivering talks and sessions at prestigious institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, NIT Surat, MNIT Jaipur, as well as numerous government and private schools across India. His expertise and insights have also led him to be called upon by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, as a Judge for the Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp organised at various institutes. Additionally, he has collaborated with senior government officials, including Senior IAS officers and Ministers, earning recognition for his projects and initiatives from esteemed personalities such as the Chief of Air Staff, ISRO Chairman, and chief secretaries of few states.

Arya's initiatives, notably Project AZAD, which was launched in IIMs, IITs, NITs, and BITS, and dedicated LeadUpIndia's mentorship sessions, mirror his unwavering commitment to empower education and entrepreneurship on a national scale. Moreover, his work has attracted support from influential figures such as Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri. Harjot Bains, Minister of Education, Government of Punjab, and Dr. B.D. Kalla, Former Minister of Education, Government of Rajasthan. For his entrepreneurial endeavours and social impact, Arya was awarded the prestigious Karmaveer Chakra (WM) by the United Nations in 2021, a testament to his significant contributions and dedication to societal advancement and youth empowerment.