As India’s SME sector prepares to play a defining role in the country’s next phase of economic growth, access to structured capital markets has emerged as a critical enabler. In response to this growing need, Small Enterprise India , India’s leading MSME Knowledge Platform with over 17 years of legacy, is organising a high-impact conference titled “SME IPO – Breaking Barriers” on 21 March 2026 at the BSE Auditorium, Mumbai, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The conference is supported by BSE SME as the Venue Partner and Twenty Eighth Consulting as the Support Partner, bringing together strong institutional and capital markets expertise within the SME ecosystem.
India’s SME sector is undergoing a fundamental shift. With increased formalisation, improved governance practices, and rising investor interest in emerging growth companies, the SME IPO ecosystem has witnessed remarkable traction in recent years. Public listing is no longer viewed merely as a fundraising exercise but as a strategic milestone that enhances credibility, transparency, scalability, and long-term value creation.
Thousands of Indian SMEs today meet the growth and profitability benchmarks required for SME listing. However, despite this readiness, many enterprises remain hesitant due to perceived complexity around compliance, valuation, regulatory frameworks, and post-listing obligations.
The “Breaking Barriers” conference is designed to address these challenges by offering clarity, real-world insights, and structured guidance to SMEs aspiring to enter the public markets over the next 12 to 36 months.
The SME IPO – Breaking Barriers conference is a full-day, knowledge-led platform curated specifically for SME founders, promoters, CFOs, and senior leadership teams exploring IPO opportunities. The event will host over 150 SME participants, all of whom are actively considering or preparing for public listing.
Highlighting the firm’s commitment to strengthening the SME capital markets ecosystem, Palak A. , Founder – Twenty Eighth Consulting, remarked, “At Twenty Eighth Consulting, we have always believed that ‘SME’ is merely a classification — the true spirit lies in promoters who refuse to think small and instead execute their boldest visions into profitable, scalable enterprises.
Our role is to bridge the capital access gap for such exceptional promoters by connecting them with the right participants in the equity markets, where clear communication, credible positioning, and strategic visibility make all the difference.
Our partnership in this conference organised by Small Enterprise India would help companies reach a wider network of investors through such reputed platforms like the Bombay Stock Exchange. With improving fundamentals and rising investor participation, the SME IPO opportunity in India has never been more compelling.”
The conference agenda focuses on delivering practical, actionable insights rather than theoretical discussions, ensuring attendees gain a realistic understanding of the IPO journey.
Sharing the vision behind the initiative, Dojo Jose , Founder, CEO & Publisher, Small Enterprise India, said: “For 17 years, Small Enterprise India has consistently focused on empowering MSMEs with knowledge that drives structured growth. With ‘Breaking Barriers – IPOs for SMEs,’ we are taking that mission a step further by creating a credible platform where ambition meets clarity.
Too many promising SMEs delay their IPO journey due to uncertainty and lack of structured guidance. This conference is designed to bridge that gap, bringing together exchange leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs who have successfully walked the path.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that growth-ready Indian SMEs understand that accessing capital markets is achievable with the right preparation, governance, and mindset. When informed entrepreneurs make bold decisions, sustainable enterprises are built.”
Key Highlights of the Event
Expert-Led Knowledge Sessions: Industry experts will address critical aspects of the SME IPO lifecycle, including eligibility criteria, regulatory frameworks, financial restructuring, valuation strategies, merchant banking processes, investor expectations, and post-listing compliance.
Real SME IPO Journeys: Recently listed SME promoters will share first-hand experiences of their IPO journeys, highlighting challenges faced, strategic decisions made, common pitfalls, and lessons learned after listing.
High-Level Panel Discussion: A curated panel comprising SME exchange leaders, capital market experts, and successful SME founders will engage in an in-depth discussion on demystifying the IPO process. The panel will also interact directly with attendees, addressing real concerns and queries from IPO-aspiring enterprises.
Who Should Attend
The conference is specifically designed for:
- SME founders and promoters
- Managing Directors, CEOs, and CFOs
- Finance and compliance heads
- SMEs planning to go public within the next 12–36 months
- Enterprises exploring structured growth through capital markets
Companies with strong growth ambitions, expansion plans, and a long-term vision for governance and transparency will find this conference particularly valuable.
Why This Conference Matters
As investor appetite for growth-oriented SMEs continues to rise, preparedness has become the key differentiator between successful listings and missed opportunities. The conference aims to equip SMEs with a clear roadmap toward IPO readiness, enabling them to make informed decisions and begin preparation well in advance.
Participants will benefit from:
- Clear understanding of IPO timelines and requirements
- Direct interaction with experts and ecosystem enablers
- Peer learning from SMEs that have already listed
- Networking with 150+ like-minded growth-stage enterprises
Knowledge Beyond the Event
To extend the impact of the conference, insights and expert perspectives will be featured in a special March issue of Small Enterprise Magazine. The digital edition will be shared with all attending SMEs, speakers, and experts, and further circulated to a nationwide network of SMEs across India, ensuring broad dissemination of knowledge.
Shaping India’s Next Generation of Listed Enterprises
With India’s economic trajectory increasingly driven by ambitious and well-governed SMEs, access to capital markets will be a defining growth lever. The SME IPO – Breaking Barriers conference represents a decisive step toward enabling enterprises to overcome hesitation, gain clarity, and prepare confidently for public listing.
As India’s SME IPO ecosystem matures, platforms such as this conference will play a crucial role in transforming aspiration into action and potential into performance.
Event Details at a Glance:
- Event: SME IPO – Breaking Barriers
- Date: 21 March 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Venue: BSE Auditorium, Mumbai
SMEs Join us – REGISTER FREE – https://forms.gle/WMhrNWF8pdSihr848
