40 Under 40 2025: Shreyas Sathe, Hybrid Adtech

Shreyas Sathe

CEO & co-founder
Hybrid Adtech
India

Shreyas Sathe’s journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming CEO of programmatic advertising enabler Hybrid Adtech in India is a story of determination, vision, and relentless execution. Raised in Nagpur, India, Sathe grew up in a lower-middle-class family and overcame significant challenges to earn his engineering degree and later a Master’s in International Business in France. His perseverance and hard work led him to join Berlin-based Hybrid Adtech GmbH, where he gained valuable global experience.

In 2020, during the pandemic, Sathe launched Hybrid India from a small room in Chhindwara, turning a €10,000 investment into a profitable business within three months. Under his leadership, Hybrid’s India and Southeast Asia unit now spans six countries, employs over 50 people, and works with major clients such as GroupM, Dentsu, and Publicis. Sathe’s strategic growth model and emphasis on performance tracking have driven the business to achieve more than 4x growth with consistent profitability.

Sathe is recognised for his contributions to the adtech industry, having served on juries at Cannes Young Lions and the White Square Festival. His leadership has earned him several business achievement awards recognised by the Indian government. He is also known for his commitment to diversity and inclusion, having implemented policies that empower talent from tier-two cities in India and promote gender-balanced hiring.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sathe is dedicated to community service and supports grassroots causes that align with his values. He mentors aspiring professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, offering them career guidance and industry access. His leadership style is characterised by humility, trust, and a focus on long-term impact, making him a role model for the next generation of business leaders.