Dell will provide the core infrastructure, including Vertiv liquid-cooled Dell PowerEdge XE9685L servers, delivered through Dell Integrated Rack Scalable Systems, for NxtGen’s new AI cluster, empowering the company to meet the growing demand for AI as a Service and large-scale GPU capacity.

Why it Matters

This accelerated computing infrastructure is vital for advancing India’s AI mission, significantly expanding NxtGen’s AI cloud services for a diverse range of clients, from start-ups to academia and government. By empowering NxtGen with this advanced foundation, Dell is accelerating India’s next wave of AI development and innovation, ensuring critical access to high-performance AI capabilities across the region.

Powering the Future of AI with Advanced Dell AI Infrastructure

The Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA combines AI infrastructure, software and services in an advanced, full-stack platform designed to meet the most demanding AI workloads and deliver scalable, reliable performance for training and inference. Leveraging the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, NxtGen will deploy Vertiv liquid-cooled, fully integrated Dell IR5000 racks featuring Dell PowerEdge XE9685L servers with the NVIDIA accelerated computing platform to build a cluster with  over 4,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs and NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet networking, all purpose-built for AI. These will be complemented by Dell PowerEdge R670 servers and Dell PowerScale F710 storage.

Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA: Empowering AI for Human Progress

The Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA offers a full stack of AI solutions from data center to edge, enabling organizations to rapidly adopt and scale AI deployments. The integration of Dell’s AI capabilities with NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, networking, and software technologies provide customers with an extensive AI portfolio and an open ecosystem of technology partners. With more than 3,000 customers globally, the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA reflects Dell’s leadership in enabling enterprises with scalable, secure and high-performance AI infrastructure.

The comprehensive Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA portfolio provides a simplified and reliable foundation for NxtGen to deliver advanced AI capabilities at speed and scale. This allows NxtGen to deliver on its core mission of providing sovereign, cost-effective and powerful AI services that help businesses grow and innovate, while at the same time reinforcing Dell’s commitment to providing the technology that drives human progress.

By equipping organizations like NxtGen with cutting-edge AI infrastructure and services, Dell is helping to unlock new possibilities and create a future where technology empowers everyone to achieve more.

Perspectives

“India’s rapid AI growth demands strong, reliable, and future-ready infrastructure,” said Manish Gupta, President and Managing Director, India, Dell Technologies. “Dell Technologies is addressing this need through the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, designed to simplify and scale AI deployments across industries. As the top AI infrastructure provider, we are enabling this shift by combining storage, compute, networking and software to accelerate AI adoption. Our collaboration with NxtGen brings these capabilities closer to Indian enterprises, helping them deploy AI efficiently and cost-effectively. This marks another step in our commitment to empowering India’s digital future through secure, scalable, and sovereign AI infrastructure.”

“NxtGen is committed to building India’s AI backbone,” said A. S. Rajgopal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NxtGen. “This deployment marks a significant milestone for the country: India’s largest AI model-training cluster, built and operated entirely within India’s sovereign cloud framework. Dell Technologies has been critical in enabling this scale, performance, and reliability. Together, we are unlocking the infrastructure that will power the next generation of Indian AI models and applications.”

“India’s ambitious AI mission requires a foundation of secure, high-performance accelerated computing infrastructure to enable model and AI application development,” said Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Asia South, NVIDIA. “Dell’s integration of NVIDIA AI software and infrastructure, including NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and NVIDIA Spectrum-X networking, provides the AI factory resources to help NxtGen accelerate this critical national capability.”

However, as India enters 2026, the expectations from policymakers have evolved. MSMEs today are not only contributors to growth—they are critical enablers of India’s ambitions in manufacturing, exports, technology leadership, and employment generation. The challenge is no longer policy intent but policy convergence and execution at scale. Fragmented compliance, capital constraints, delayed payments, uneven access to technology, and global uncertainty continue to test resilience.

Against this backdrop, Union Budget 2026 is widely expected to mark a shift—from incremental support to structural, outcome-driven reform. To capture this moment, Small Enterprise India brings together voices from MSMEs, financial markets, technology leaders, legal experts, and startup ecosystem enablers, reflecting what India’s growth engine truly needs next.

Industry 4.0: The Make-or-Break Moment for MSMEs

Dr Krishnan N places MSME digitalisation at the centre of India’s global competitiveness. MSMEs contribute nearly 30% of GDP, 45% of exports, and employ over 11 crore people, yet global manufacturing is rapidly moving toward digitally enabled, high-productivity supply chains.

While PLI schemes and cluster programs have delivered local successes, structural gaps remain—high capex costs, short loan tenors, fragmented schemes, skills shortages, and weak demand pull from procurement and global supply chains.

He proposes five high-impact interventions for Budget 2026:

• 7–10 year Industry 4.0 capital credit lines with interest subvention
• Technology adoption vouchers for micro and small enterprises
• Scaled Common Facility Centres and mobile tech labs
• A national Industry 4.0 skills and integrator mission
• Procurement-linked incentives for digitally certified MSMEs

Without a converged, cluster-led digitalisation push, he warns, MSMEs risk being locked out of global value chains despite Make in India progress.

Simplifying Compliance and Restoring Entrepreneurial Momentum

Chetan Nagendra, Founder & CEO, Quoqo Technologies, underscores that the biggest burden on MSMEs today is not fees, but time, uncertainty, and lost momentum. Despite reforms, compliance remains fragmented—forcing businesses to submit identical data across portals, repeat KYC processes, and navigate overlapping inspections. Even company closure, he notes, lacks clear, trackable standards.

He proposes four pragmatic Budget 2026 interventions:

1. A single MSME compliance window with consent-based data reuse, pre-filled forms, a unified dashboard, and a common grievance tracker.
2. Digital-first contracting, using government-approved templates with end-to-end digital workflows accepted by lenders and procurement agencies.
3. Fast-track online mediation for MSME disputes with enforceable outcomes.
4. Prompt-payment accountability, including public “prompt-payer scores” linked to buyer incentives.

Reducing compliance friction, he argues, will allow MSMEs to focus on building products, serving customers, and creating jobs.

Credit Structures That Enable MSME Scale

Nisha P, draws attention to a critical limitation in PMFME loan structures. Currently, enterprises can avail the loan only once, often at modest amounts. Entrepreneurs who start cautiously cannot access a second loan or top-up—even if they have not reached the ₹10 lakh subsidy cap.

This restriction, she argues, constrains expansion precisely when entrepreneurs gain confidence and market traction. Allowing second loans or top-ups would directly enable scaling, rural employment, and value-added food enterprises.

AI, Deep Tech, and India’s Next Growth Frontier

As India stands on the cusp of an AI revolution, technology leaders are calling for a shift from experimentation to sovereign AI infrastructure. Amit Kumar Tyagi, CEO, TrueReach AI, urges restoring 200% R&D deductions, introducing national compute credit schemes, reducing duties on GPUs and TPUs, accelerating the ₹20,000 crore Deep Tech Fund of Funds, and extending PLI to AI and robotics. Structured data platforms and tax incentives for upskilling, he adds, are non-negotiable.

Srikanth Chakkilam, CEO & Executive Director, Covasant Technologies, echoes the need for affordable AI infrastructure, R&D tax credits, accelerated depreciation, regulatory sandboxes, and procurement-led demand to position India as a global hub for enterprise-grade agentic AI.

GST, Working Capital, and Services Sector Realities

From the services economy, @Vinod Sah, CTO & Co-founder, CoTrav, highlights persistent GST input credit delays, especially in corporate travel and events. GST paid to hotels, transporters, and service partners often remains blocked for long periods, directly impacting MSME cash flows.

He calls for simplified and faster GST input credit mechanisms, clearer guidelines on bundled services and multi-vendor billing, and process-level incentives for businesses that maintain transparent, audit-ready compliance systems. Unlocking GST credits, he notes, would immediately improve working capital efficiency without diluting tax discipline.

Startups, Talent, and ESOP Reform

From the startup finance ecosystem, Devansh Lakhani, Director, Lakhani Financial Services, calls for urgent reform in ESOP taxation. Today, employees are taxed twice, at exercise (on notional gains) and again at sale—creating severe cash flow burdens for early-stage teams.

He urges deferring ESOP taxation until sale and aligning capital gains tax treatment for unlisted shares with listed ones. Startups, he notes, are riskier, less liquid, and demand longer holding periods, yet face harsher taxation. Correcting this imbalance is essential to attract private capital and retain high-quality talent in India’s innovation economy.

Capex, Markets, and the Investment Climate

From the capital markets perspective, C.A Arpit Jain, Joint MD, Arihant Capital Markets Ltd, believes Budget 2026–27 must clearly pivot toward capex-led growth, which was relatively muted in the previous Budget that leaned heavily on consumption. Encouraging both government and private sector capital expenditure is critical for sustainable growth.

He points to early signs of capex revival in sectors such as metals and suggests that tax relief for sovereign funds investing in India could act as a strong catalyst. While financials and pharma remain well positioned, he cautions that global uncertainty persists and underscores the need for policy clarity to sustain investor confidence, particularly for MSME-linked supply chains.

Household Economics and Financial Security

Chakravarthy V, Co-Founder & Director, Prime Wealth Finserv, Hyderabad, highlights middle-class pressures that indirectly impact MSMEs and consumption. With rising living costs, he calls for increasing the standard deduction to ₹1 lakh and restoring health insurance deductions under the new tax regime.

Without tax relief on insurance premiums, he warns, families may reduce coverage, posing long-term risks. Rationalising personal taxation, he argues, would support household stability and demand-led growth.

Real Estate, Housing, and Urban Affordability

From the legal and real estate lens, Apurva Agarwal, Founder, Universal Legal, Mumbai, calls for revising the definition of affordable housing. The current ₹45 lakh cap no longer reflects market realities in urban and Tier-2 cities, excluding genuine first-time buyers from benefits.

He recommends raising the cap to ₹75–90 lakh with city-specific thresholds, revising the ₹2 lakh home loan interest deduction under Section 24(b), and rationalising transaction costs by reducing GST on under-construction properties and stamp duties for first-time buyers.

Conclusion: From Fragmented Support to Future-Ready Partnership

The collective voice emerging ahead of Union Budget 2026 is both pragmatic and visionary. MSMEs, startups, and industry leaders are not asking for short-term relief alone, they are calling for systems that work seamlessly, capital that scales patiently, and policies that reward capability and compliance.

Across sectors, a common thread is evident: fragmentation must give way to convergence. Whether it is compliance, credit, GST, skilling, digitalisation, or innovation funding, the need is for integrated, outcome-driven frameworks that reduce friction and restore entrepreneurial momentum. Faster payments, simpler taxation, flexible credit structures, and accessible technology are not administrative tweaks, they are growth accelerators.

Budget 2026 has the opportunity to redefine the state–enterprise relationship, from regulator and beneficiary to partner and enabler. A single-window approach across compliance, finance, technology, and procurement can dramatically improve productivity. Strategic capex-led growth, AI infrastructure, Industry 4.0 adoption, and housing affordability can unlock demand, competitiveness, and employment at scale.

India’s MSMEs are ready to invest, innovate, and integrate with global value chains. What they seek now is clarity, confidence, and continuity. A Budget that listens to these voices and acts decisively will not only strengthen MSMEs but anchor India’s economic trajectory for the next decade.

Union Budget 2026 can and must be the Budget that empowers India’s entrepreneurs to build the future they already believe in.

Gramodhaya, India’s pioneering e-commerce marketplace dedicated exclusively to rural entrepreneurs is set to launch soon, today announced a landmark pre-seed funding round led by visionary investor Raji Krishnan. This strategic investment will power the platform’s development and nationwide rollout, beginning with free vendor onboarding in Ernakulam district, Kerala, and full operations by March 2026.

Raji Krishnan, a strategic HR powerhouse with 20+ years at Microsoft and NIIT, IIM Bangalore (EGMP) alumna, sees rural e-commerce as destiny’s pivot. “This isn’t mere investment; it’s unleashing democracy in opportunity,” declared Krishnan. “Digitising rural supply chains fuses ‘Bharat’s’ timeless craftsmanship with the global economy, elevating artisans to entrepreneurs and igniting rural India as a dynamic force in our digital renaissance.”

India’s rural entrepreneurship ecosystem tells a tale of untapped potential overshadowed by urban dominance. Over 12 crore rural micro-enterprises sustain 60% of the nation’s workforce, yet they claim merely 10% of e-commerce sales, while urban consumers command 90% through giants like Amazon and Flipkart. Rural innovators face relentless hurdles – crumbling logistics trap deliveries to nearby cities, forcing reliance on local kiranas with punishingly slim margins. Big retailers extract 20-40% commissions, 60-120 day payment delays strangle cashflows for those living hand-to-mouth, perishable goods rot in transit, middlemen erode bargaining power, and digital barriers leave 70% offline.

Gramodhaya shatters these chains with zero-fee onboarding, Pan-India visibility, and smart logistics conquering last-mile challenges. Kicking off in Ernakulam, Kerala’s perfect rural-urban fusion, this pilot refines operations before statewide growth in Year 1, adjacent states by Year 3, and full national scale within 5 years. As India’s trailblazing rural-first platform, Gramodhaya will spotlight authentic village treasures, handicrafts, organics, spices, linking them to eager urban and global markets for enduring prosperity.

Under Kochi-based GramRise Ventures Pvt Ltd, helmed by women entrepreneurs Doramma Jose and Dony Ani Jose, Gramodhaya is born from lived rural realities. “From serene Kerala backwaters, we’ve watched families endure grueling daily treks, crushed by transport costs, spoilage, and reseller exploitation for scraps,” shared Doramma Jose. “After deep brainstorming, my son Dojo envisioned an e-commerce lifeline, Gramodhaya rises to rewrite their story.”

GramRise Ventures builds on Small Enterprise India’s 16-year legacy as India’s premier MSME knowledge powerhouse. Dojo Jose, with over two decades mastering business directories, publishing, and diverse sectors, leads operations and strategic planning. “MSMEs gained growth knowledge through our Pan-India SME conferences, our magazine, SmallEnterpriseIndia.com, and consulting services, yet their persistent demands for revenue channels exposed urban-rural gaps, Gramodhaya bridges them, ignited by Raji Krishnan’s bold trust“, said Dojo Jose.

Raji Krishnan, a strategic HR powerhouse with 20+ years at Microsoft and NIIT, IIM Bangalore (EGMP) alumna, sees rural e-commerce as destiny’s pivot. “This isn’t mere investment; it’s unleashing democracy in opportunity,” declared Krishnan. “Digitising rural supply chains fuses ‘Bharat’s’ timeless craftsmanship with the global economy, elevating artisans to entrepreneurs and igniting rural India as a dynamic force in our digital renaissance.”

Vendor onboarding kicks off late January, with nationwide launch by March 2026.

Gramodhaya, powered by GramRise Ventures Pvt Ltd, pioneers India’s first e-commerce haven for rural entrepreneurs – delivering free access, vast reach, and logistics mastery to unite urban demand with rural ingenuity.

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2025 marked a pivotal year for Indian SMEs, blending triumphs in digital transformation with enduring structural challenges across key sectors. Amid global uncertainties, policy interventions like GST 2.0 rate cuts and PM Gati Shakti propelled e-commerce and logistics forward, with order volumes surging 13.5% YoY and Tier-3 deliveries accelerating 29%. Total e-commerce GMV hit $151 billion, empowering rural entrepreneurs via platforms like Meesho and ONDC. Finance saw credit exposure climb 16% to ₹46 lakh crore, yet high rates and collateral gaps excluded micro-units. Exports reached $820 billion, but Red Sea disruptions hiked costs. Manufacturing digitised unevenly under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, while revenue diversified through festive booms and UPI. Digitisation engaged 43% of SMEs, unlocking efficiencies. This year positioned SMEs for resilient growth, highlighting e-commerce’s shift to habit and the urgent need for inclusive finance and clusters. As President Trump’s pro-trade policies loom, Indian SMEs stand at a crossroads of opportunity and adaptation.

Read below how each segment performed.

Finance & Banking

Indian SMEs faced a paradoxical finance landscape in 2025, where credit growth clashed with access barriers. Total small business loans surged 16% to ₹46 lakh crore, fuelled by public-sector approvals of ₹28,000 crore and RBI’s push for priority sector lending. Fintechs offered quicker approvals via digital KYC, yet high interest rates (12-15%) and collateral demands side-lined 70% of micro-units. SME IPOs bombed, with average listing gains at 12.6%, down from prior years and over 50% trading below issue price amid market volatility. Delayed payments via platforms like SAMADHAN eased cash flow for some, but informal sectors struggled without formal credit histories.

Government schemes like Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) extensions helped larger SMEs scale, but tiny enterprises missed out due to compliance hurdles. RBI’s digital lending norms boosted fintech inclusion, yet NPAs hovered at 5% for MSME portfolios. Overall, while aggregate lending hit records, equitable distribution remained elusive, hampering innovation and expansion for smaller players reliant on high-cost informal loans.

Logistics

Logistics transformed for SMEs in 2025, with costs dipping toward 8-9% of GDP via PM Gati Shakti’s multimodal hubs and 15,000 km of new highways. E-commerce players scaled AI for Tier-3 speed, achieving 29% faster deliveries YoY and on-time rates jumping from 28% to 36% across 635 million orders. Micro-fulfillment centers and EV last-mile fleets cut urban delivery costs by 20% for SMEs in apparel and FMCG. Challenges included pincode errors and customer absences, which spiked issues by 4%, though route optimisation tools mitigated this.

Rural SMEs benefited from drone pilots in Kerala and Northeast, slashing transit times for perishables. Yet, fragmented carrier networks raised costs for non-metro exporters. Initiatives like ONDC integrated SMEs into unified logistics, boosting reliability. Dedicated freight corridors reduced turnaround by 30% for manufacturing hubs. The year marked logistics as a growth enabler rather than bottleneck, empowering SMEs to compete nationally.

Revenue Generation

SME revenues diversified in 2025, propelled by GST 2.0 cuts on electronics and fashion from September 22, sparking 23-25% festive surges. E-commerce order volumes rose 13.5% YoY, with Mondays leading volumes and average order values climbing 21% on prepaid trust (41% of orders). Domestic marketplaces empowered rural SMEs, while UPI-driven BNPL options extended reach to low-income buyers.

Misses: Included MSME SAMADHAN’s slow dispute resolution, delaying ₹10 lakh crore in payments. Sector-specific booms hit: textiles via PLI schemes, food processing from export quotas. Digital marketing via ONDC and Google grants amplified visibility, yet 40% of SMEs reported stagnant revenues due to input cost inflation. Festive sales normalised into habits, with AI personalisation lifting repeat orders by 15%. Subscription models in SaaS and D2C added recurring streams. Revenue resilience defined the year for adaptive SMEs navigating inflation.

Export-Import

India’s exports reached $820 billion in FY25, up 6%, opening SME doors in pharma, textiles, and auto via UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Partnership Agreement (UKCEPA) tariff cuts. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) streamlined marine exports, reducing Suez reliance for leather and spices SMEs. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) refunds and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation Ltd (ECGC) covers mitigated risks, aiding 20% YoY growth for labor-intensive units. Challenges: Rupee volatility and Red Sea disruptions hiked freight by 30%, squeezing margins for small importers. Geopolitics sidelined many from China shifts due to scale gaps. Government portals like Export Credit streamlined docs, yet awareness lagged in Tier-3 clusters.

Success stories: Kerala handicrafts via Amazon Global Selling hit EU markets. Duty drawback schemes reimbursed 4-7% on exports, boosting cash flow. Overall, policy tailwinds boosted participation, but logistics and compliance hurdles capped potential for fragmented SME exporters.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing SMEs grappled with promise and pitfalls in 2025, as PLI 2.0 allocated ₹1.97 lakh crore across 14 sectors. Digitisation via IoT hit 40% adoption in auto clusters, enhancing yields by 12%, but skill shortages affected 60% of units. Infrastructure like semiconductor parks in Gujarat lured investments, yet power outages and raw material imports plagued smaller players.

Misses: VC funding skewed to unicorns, leaving micro-SMEs undercapitalised. Cluster development in Coimbatore and Ludhiana improved shared tooling, cutting costs 15%. Labor reforms eased hiring, but compliance burdens rose. The year highlighted manufacturing’s pivot to green tech, with solar PLI aiding transitions. Automation pilots in Tamil Nadu factories lifted productivity 18%. Resilience through localisation defined hits for proactive SMEs amid global supply chain shifts.

Digitisation

Digitisation accelerated for 43% of SMEs in 2025, with cloud and AI budgets up 25% in IT-ITES. Udyam portal registrations topped 5 crore, unlocking GeM tenders and subsidies. IoT and ERP adoption streamlined ops in retail, boosting efficiency 18%.

Hurdles: 30% cited leadership resistance and cyber threats, especially in construction. ONDC and India Stack enabled seamless digital payments for rural units. Training via Skill India bridged gaps, with 2 million upskilled in Industry 4.0. Hits included predictive analytics slashing inventory waste. Cybersecurity frameworks like Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) mandated protections, reducing breaches 22%. The shift positioned SMEs for Aatmanirbhar scalability, with 70% reporting ROI within a year.

E-commerce

E-commerce matured profoundly for Indian SMEs in 2025, evolving from speculative hype to a dependable revenue engine valued at $151 billion overall, with 342 million active shoppers and 580,000 stores. Order volumes surged 13.5% YoY across 635 million tracked by ClickPost, supercharged by GST 2.0 cuts on September 22 that ignited 23-25% festive demand for electronics and fashion. Returns plummeted 7% to under 22%, thanks to precise product descriptions curbing “wrong size” and “not as described” issues, while prepaid orders normalized at 41% (up from 32%), signaling trust—especially in metros at 46%. Average order values rose 21%, as predictable deliveries encouraged bigger carts.

Tier-3 markets stole the spotlight, gaining massive momentum as AI replicated metro-grade quick commerce outward. Deliveries sped up 29% YoY—nearly 4x Tier-1 gains—with on-time rates at 36% overall, empowering rural SMEs. Prepaid adoption hit 34.5% in these areas, the fastest riser, while Mondays consistently topped volumes, turning “Monday blues” into retail therapy. Quick commerce GMV neared $6 billion, with 1,500 micro-fulfillment centers serving non-metros, where 60% of new shoppers emerged. Rural entrepreneurs in Kerala and beyond leveraged ONDC for perishables, drones, and EVs slashing last-mile costs. Wakefit’s IPO underscored operational maturity. Yet, COD reliance (59%), address typos, and customer no-shows capped perfection, up 4% in issues. Currently, as 2025 closes, Tier-3 momentum positions SMEs for 2026 dominance, with e-commerce at 8% of retail and projections to $345 billion by 2030. This “intelligence as infrastructure” era made online sales a habit, not event, for Bharat’s SMEs.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As 2025 closes, Indian SMEs stand poised for accelerated growth in 2026, building on e-commerce momentum and policy tailwinds. E-commerce GMV could double to $300 billion, with Tier-3 markets driving 40% of new orders via AI-optimised logistics and ONDC expansion, slashing rural delivery costs further. Finance inclusivity may improve as RBI’s digital lending norms mature, potentially lifting credit access to 60% of micro-SMEs through fintech-blockchain hybrids and reduced NPAs below 4%.

Logistics costs might dip under 8% of GDP with full PM Gati Shakti rollout and drone/EV ubiquity, enabling just-in-time manufacturing. Exports could surge 15% to $950 billion, fueled by IMEEC and US deals under President Trump’s administration favoring India in China shifts. PLI 3.0 and green incentives will boost manufacturing localisation to 70%, while 60% SME digitisation via UPI 3.0 and Industry 5.0 tools enhances revenues 20-25% YoY.

Challenges like climate risks and geopolitics persist, but adaptive SMEs leveraging data intelligence will thrive. 2026 heralds SMEs as India’s growth engine, targeting 10% GDP contribution through resilient, tech-led ecosystems.

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They were evaluated on their social and community impact, as well as their role in creating local employment opportunities.

The award was presented by Dr. Galla Garu’s daughter, Ramadevi Gourineni. She is Managing Director of AMARA HOSPITAL, Chairperson of Rajanna Foundation and Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern University.

The 3rd annual Amara Raja Better Way Awards 2025 was held as a grand function at the Amara Raja Group Head Office auditorium in Tirupati on 20 December 2025.

The three winners are:

Anuttama Products Private Limited won the Award for Rural Income Generation

Founded during the pandemic in the village of Bettampady – 16 km away from Puttur in the Dakshina Kannada district – the company uses a Farm-to-Bar framework to produce artisanal chocolate fuelling rural economic growth.

On behalf of Anuttama Products Pvt Ltd, the Amara Raja Better Way Award for Rural Income Generation was received by Balasubrahmanya P S , Founder & Director.

Ila Agri Services Private Limited won the Award for Best Agri-based Business.

As India’s first digital marketplace for certified agri-drone services, IlaAgri empowers farmers with technology driven solutions, fostering collaboration for mutual growth. With crop-specific climate-smart Drone Precision Spraying, the enterprise has enabled digital inclusion and strengthened community awareness, improving crop yield and creating economic multipliers.

On behalf of Ila Agri Services Pvt Ltd, the Amara Raja Better Way Award for Best Agri Based Business was received by:

• Harish Galipelli, Director & Head – Strategy
• Raghavendra Raju G V, Director & Head – Operations
• Pavan Kumar P V , Head – Business Development

Ayurarogya Saukhyam Foundation (ASF) won the Award for Women Employment.

Saukhyam pioneered the world’s first reusable menstrual pad made from banana fibre – a sustainable product innovation that has proven to be life changing for rural women livelihood.

On behalf of AyurArogya Saukhyam Foundation, the Amara Raja Better Way Award for Women Employment was received by Anju Bist, Managing Director.

“Through a diverse range of solutions and products, the winners of Amara Raja Better Way awards have made tremendous impact in the communities that they work. At Amara Raja, we believe in transforming lives and livelihoods, and these businesses have done exactly that. We wish to see them grow further, building an India that holds opportunity in every corner,” said Mr Jayadev Galla, Co-founder and Chairman, Amara Raja Group.

They were awarded Rs. 3 lakh cash prize each, and year-long support across finance, HR, marketing, IT, and supply chain.

Small Enterprise India was the proud Outreach and Validation Partner for the Amara Raja Better Way Awards for the last two consecutive years, undertaking the daunting task of reaching rural entrepreneurs across India. Rural innovators from 17 states and diverse industries participated in the 3rd Annual edition, winners ultimately chosen by an eminent jury panel at the Amara Raja Group.

About Amara Raja Group

Amara Raja Group Founded by Dr Ramachandra N Galla is a leading conglomerate with revenues exceeding $2 billion through highly engaged customers across the globe. The group has diverse businesses ranging from Automotive, EV & Industrial Batteries to Infrastructure, Electronics, Auto Components and Food Processing. Amara Raja exports its products to over 60 countries around the world and has 21,000 employees.

To drive this shift, Small Enterprise India has been actively championing the movement through our national roadshow, The Future Factory Forum. After successful editions in Bengaluru and Chennai, the next forum will take place in Coimbatore on 11 December, with a pan-India rollout planned in partnership with Nasscom CoE – IoT & AI. The objective remains clear—empower SMEs with practical, affordable, and actionable pathways to digitise their factories.

This month also celebrates the rise of Women Entrepreneurship, which continues to gain unprecedented momentum. The recent Women Entrepreneurship Conclave in Kerala drew over 1,500 women entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, reinforcing the spirit of inclusivity and innovation.

We also spotlight an inspiring rural-focused initiative—the Amara Raja Better Way Awards 2025, now in its third year. Led by the visionary legacy of Ramachandra Naidu Galla, Founder of the $2-billion Amara Raja Group, this initiative continues to uplift and honour rural entrepreneurs making meaningful impact.

With insights on HR, technology, finance, marketing, and more, our final issue of 2025 promises an engaging and enlightening read for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

Happy Reading!

Dojo Jose Editor-in-Chief

Indian SMEs, contributing 30% to GDP, face existential threats from global competition without Industry 4.0 adoption—IIoT, AI, automation, and robotics can slash costs by 20-30%, boost productivity 50%, and unlock export markets. Coimbatore, the “@” for textiles, pumps, and engineering, now risks stagnation amid digitisation waves; local manufacturers must integrate smart tech to scale, future-proof operations, and lead Tamil Nadu’s resurgence.

Stellar Lineup Delivers Actionable Insights

Industry leaders unpacked practical roadmaps on AI capabilities, Industry 4.0 transformation, production scheduling, systems thinking, and IIoT for smart factories at Future Factory Forum Coimbatore. Panels tackled urgent digital shifts and future-proofing strategies, equipping SMEs with low-cost tools to slash costs, boost productivity, and seize global edges.

Experts unpacked practical roadmaps across sessions:

• Senthil Kumar R (NASSCOM CoE-IoT & AI) on digital innovation.
• Dr. O.A. Balasubramaniam (Roots Group) on AI capabilities.
• Sherry Thomas (Gadgeon Systems) on Industry 4.0 transformation.
• Maria Xavier and Immanuel Raj (NTT Data) on production scheduling.
• sanjay kondaas (Kondaas Automation) on systems thinking.
• Shanmukha CG (Tally Solutions) on tech adaptation.
• Rahul K (Nuventure Connect) on IIoT and AI for smart factories.

Dynamic Panels

“Digitise or Disappear” moderated by MD Asiq (Arche Global)—and “Future-Proofing Indian Manufacturing” led by Sherry Thomas sparked urgent calls to action, with panelists including Sujith Muraleedharan (L.G. Balakrishnan), Venkatesan Narayanasamy (LMW), Dr. Eswaramurthi K (Premier Fine Linens), Jibin Dev (Quoqo), Balaji V (BAVIS), Jayakumar Radhakrishnan (Scanflow), and Ajith Gopakumar (Bosch).

Curated Meetings Fuel Business Momentum

Partners secured 8-10 one-to-one meetings each with high-potential SMEs, generating leads for follow-up collaborations—a standout feature accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption.

Gratitude to partners Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, Gadgeon Systems Inc., NTT DATA, Bavis Technologies Private Limited , Quoqo Technologies, Arche Global, Scanflow and Nuventure Connect, media partner INDUSTRY 4.0 Technology E-Magazine; network partner F6S and knowledge partner Aspire Consulting.

Delegates travelled from Kongu region (Coimbatore, Karur, Tirupur, Erode, Salem). Many turned up from Kerala, and Chennai, braving distances to seize this insightful knowledge platform.

Forge Ahead: Kochi, Hyderabad, Rajkot Next

Coimbatore’s SMEs, Your legacy as India’s manufacturing heart demands digital boldness, adapt IIoT, AI, robotics now to dominate tomorrow’s factories, outpace rivals, and script a renaissance that echoes nationwide.

Join us at the roadshow in Kochi, Hyderabad, Rajkot—transform or trailblaze!

Proud Winners Announced

• Rural Income Generation: ANUTTAMA PRODUCTS PRIVATE LIMITED (Karnataka)
• Best Agri Based Business: ILAAGRI SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED (Telangana)
• Women Employment: AYURAROGYA SAUKHYAM FOUNDATION (Kerala)

These trailblazers excelled in social impact, local employment, revenue growth, and innovation – core criteria of the awards.

The Grand Ceremony

Awards will be presented by the Amara Raja Group Founder during the 40th Foundation Day on December 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM at Amara Raja Auditorium, Head Office, Renigunta–Cuddapah Road, Karakambadi, Tirupati.

About Amara Raja Group

Started in 1985 in rural Andhra Pradesh, Amara Raja Group has grown into a USD 2 billion powerhouse with over 21,000 employees, championing social responsibility and “A Better Way for a Better Tomorrow”.

Every nominee inspired us with job creation and community transformation. Non-winners: Gear up for the 4th edition next year – ₹3 lakh prizes, year-long CXO mentorship in business, finance, supply chain, and HR await.

Congratulations to the winners! Join the movement: Amara Raja Better Way Awards

The Future Factory Forum, Coimbatore is set to take place on 11 December 2025 at The Residency Towers, bringing together leading experts in Industry 4.0, Automation, IoT, AI and Robotics to help SME manufacturers in the region make a decisive shift towards smart, digital factories. With an exceptional line-up of practitioners, technology leaders and manufacturing champions, this forum is designed as a game-changing platform for SME owners, plant heads and decision makers in and around Coimbatore.

Coimbatore’s Manufacturing Legacy

Often called the “Manchester of South India”, Coimbatore has a rich manufacturing legacy rooted in its early 19th century textile boom, supported by abundant cotton, favourable climate and strong trading networks. Over time, the city has evolved into a diversified industrial powerhouse with thousands of MSMEs in textiles, engineering, automotive components, pumps, motors and precision manufacturing, built on decades of entrepreneurial spirit and traditional, relationship-driven business practices.

For years, many of these enterprises have relied on conventional methods, manual planning, paper-based processes, legacy machines and informal decision-making, while still competing globally on quality and reliability. Today, with intense competition, margin pressure and rising customer expectations, Coimbatore’s SMEs stand at a critical inflection point where embracing digital technologies is no longer optional but essential for sustainable growth.

Why The Future Factory Forum now

The Future Factory Forum Coimbatore is built specifically to address this turning point by demystifying Industry 4.0 and showing how SMEs can adopt digital tools in a practical, phased and affordable manner. Sessions will focus on real-world use cases such as AI in manufacturing, production scheduling, IIoT-enabled smart factories, systems thinking for scaling SMEs, and low-cost automation strategies tailored for Indian manufacturing.

Coimbatore’s ecosystem, strong chambers, supplier networks and technical talent, makes it ideally placed to lead India’s next wave of digitally enabled manufacturing, provided SMEs act decisively and early. This forum aims to convert awareness into action, helping participants move from discussion to actual implementation of solutions that improve productivity, quality, visibility and profitability.

Who Should Attend

The event is a must-attend for:

• SME manufacturing owners, promoters and managing directors looking to modernise their plants and scale sustainably.
• COOs, plant heads, production managers, IT and digital transformation leaders seeking concrete frameworks and technology roadmaps for Industry 4.0 adoption.

Participants will also benefit from networking with technology providers, consultants, and peer manufacturers, as well as exploring the on-site Tech Expo and one-on-one meetings scheduled alongside the forum. Seats are limited, and those who move first on digital transformation will gain a significant competitive edge in Coimbatore’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

Key Speakers and Moderators

The Coimbatore edition features a high-impact line-up of speakers and panelists representing leading organisations in manufacturing, technology and business excellence.

Plenary and expert sessions

• Dr. O. A. Balasubramaniam, Director – IT, @Roots Group of Companies
• Sherry Thomas, Director – IoT Solutions, Gadgeon Systems Inc.
• Krunal Patel (કૃણાલ પટેલ), Managing Director, NTT Data Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• Dojo Jose, Founder, Aspire Aeonian LLP and Publisher, Small Enterprise India
• Senthil Kumar R, Head – Industry & Corporate Connect, MeitY NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI
• sanjay kondaas, Managing Director, Kondaas Automation Pvt. Ltd.
• Shanmukha CG, AGM – Product Excellence, Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• Rahul K, Chief Technology Officer, Nuventure Connect
• Dr. Raveendran N, Vice President – Enterprise Wide Solutions (CIO), Sakthi Finance Ltd. / ABT Industries Ltd.
• Tapasya Ravishankar, Co-Founder, Aspire Aeonian LLP, Small Enterprise India

Panel Discussion 1 – “Digitise or Disappear: The Urgent Need for Digital Transformation in Indian SME Manufacturing”

Moderator: Mohamad Ashiq, Executive Director, Arche Global.

Panelists include:

• Sherry Thomas, Director – IoT Solutions, Gadgeon Systems Inc
• Sujith Muraleedharan – Digital Transformation, L.G. Balakrishnan & Bros.
• Venkatesan Narayanasamy, Head – IT, LMW Limited.
• Shanmukha CG, AGM – Product Excellence, Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• Dr. Eswaramurthi K, General Manager – Business Excellence, Premier Fine Linens.

Panel Discussion 2 – “Future-Proofing Indian Manufacturing: What Skills, Tools & Strategies Will Define SME Growth?”

Moderator: Sherry Thomas, Director – IoT Solutions, Gadgeon Systems Inc.

Panelists include:

• Jibin Dev, Sales Team Lead, Quoqo Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Balaji V Bavis, Founder, BAVIS Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Jayakumar Radhakrishnan, CEO, Scanflow
• Ajith Gopakumar, Director – HMI Solutions (MS/EHM-PD2), Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

SME manufacturing heads, owners and decision makers in the Coimbatore region are strongly encouraged to block their calendars for 11 December at The Residency Towers, Coimbatore and leverage this unique opportunity to learn from experts and begin implementing Industry 4.0 solutions in their own factories.

Register Now (FREE For SME Manufacturing – Owners, IT Heads, Operations Head, Plant heads): https://forms.gle/BsngAAsZ5Bwib3T56

Watch Promo Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/ovjl92D0ybw?feature=share

Sponsors & Partners

The Future Factory Forum is organised by Small Enterprise India, India’s leading MSME knowledge-sharing platform, and is proudly supported by NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI. A big thanks to the digital transformation partners and sponsors— Tally Solutions, Gadgeon Systems Inc., NTT Data Business Solutions, BAVIS Technologies, Scanflow, Nuventure Connect, Quoqo Technologies and Arche Global—whose commitment to enabling Industry 4.0 for SMEs is powering this transformative initiative.

Register Now (FREE For SME Manufacturing – Owners, IT Heads, Operations Head, Plant heads): https://forms.gle/BsngAAsZ5Bwib3T56

This captivating interview, conducted by Small Enterprise India, unveils the passion, struggles, and successes behind Corrazone’s rise, inviting readers to witness an inspiring story of courage, empowerment, and boundless possibility.

Q. What were some of the initial struggles you faced while establishing Corrazone, and how did you overcome them to build a thriving co-working space?

Establishing Corrazone was a journey lined with both challenges and opportunities for growth. The biggest hurdle was shifting the region’s mindset from rigid, traditional offices to a vibrant, community-driven co-working space. Creating awareness for this new culture meant overcoming skepticism, managing funding constraints, and cultivating trust among entrepreneurs wary of shared ecosystems. What truly set us apart was our unwavering consistency and the values we stood by: integrity, genuine support, and a focus on real results rather than just physical space. Every initial struggle inspired us to build deeper connections, offer tailored guidance, and foster collaborations that proved the power of a united community. Over the years, Corrazone has blossomed into a name that represents not just business growth, but personal transformation and ethical entrepreneurship. The journey taught us that building trust and putting our members first turns obstacles into stepping stones, making Corrazone a space where both dreams and businesses thrive with meaning and purpose.

Q. Corrazone is known as an eco-friendly coworking space. Could you share the inspiration behind this commitment to sustainability and how you implemented eco-friendly practices in your workspace?

Sustainability isn’t just a part of Corrazone’s business model, it’s the heartbeat of our mission. From day one, we envisioned a workspace where responsible entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship walk hand in hand, inspiring every founder and freelancer who steps through our doors. By embracing natural lighting, implementing waste segregation, and designing energy-efficient spaces, we set out to prove that business growth need not come at the cost of our planet. Even our minimalist interiors celebrate a balance between professionalism and nature, reminding everyone that innovation thrives best in harmony with green values. This commitment was born from a deep belief that true progress is sustainable progress. When entrepreneurs operate in an eco-conscious and inspiring environment, every idea carries the scent of responsibility. At Corrazone, we hope to light a torch for others in the industry, proving that the future belongs to businesses that honor both their economic and environmental obligations, shaping a legacy where success means preserving the earth for generations to come.

Q. How have you cultivated a supportive and collaborative community at Corrazone that makes startups and freelancers feel like they truly belong?

At Corrazone, community isn’t an afterthought, it’s the very foundation of our space. Our vision was never to just rent desks, but to cultivate a dynamic growth circle where every member feels genuinely seen and valued. Through frequent interactions, curated collaboration meets, impactful mentorship sessions, and peer-driven learning, we have built an ecosystem where startups and freelancers share not only resources but also dreams. This sense of belonging transforms our spaces from mere offices into platforms for shared success and emotional connections. We celebrate every entrepreneurial milestone together, and the openness within our community inspires creativity, endurance, and resilience. By encouraging honest conversation, empathy, and mutual support, we have turned Corrazone into a nurturing environment where innovators never feel alone on their journey. This collaborative spirit ensures that every member finds guidance and encouragement at every step, making Corrazone a place where businesses flourish because the individuals behind them feel understood, empowered, and truly at home.

Q. Can you describe your vision for the future of Corrazone, especially in terms of expansion, services, and the startup ecosystem you hope to foster?

Corrazone’s future radiates with hope and possibility. Our vision transcends boundaries: we aim to build a global network of inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative workspaces that spark creativity and opportunity everywhere. Expansion plans focus on tier-2 and rural regions, places where dreams and talent often go unseen. Through digital mentorship, integrated incubation, and seamless access to funding, we hope to empower entrepreneurs from every corner of the country, ensuring that geographic barriers never block potential. Our goal is to be more than a workspace; we want to become a hub where ideas receive validation, resources, and the encouragement to scale. Ultimately, Corrazone aspires to be both a beacon and a bridge, connecting communities, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering impactful collaborations across India and beyond. By nurturing startups from the grassroots to global stages, our vision is to leave an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape, championing founders and innovators who will shape the future with compassion and courage.

Q. Women entrepreneurs are a key focus at Corrazone. What initiatives have you put in place to encourage and empower women to take leadership roles in startups?

Empowering women is a living promise at Corrazone. We’ve reimagined our co-working space as a sanctuary where women entrepreneurs can dream big and lead boldly. Through our “CORRAZONE WITH SHE” initiative, we offer mentorship, flexible work schedules, and customized networking that address unique challenges faced by women. Our work culture is rooted in gender neutrality and supports female leadership by connecting them with investors who truly value inclusivity. Peer recognition and encouragement are cornerstones of our approach, ensuring women are celebrated as trailblazers, not just participants. Every woman who steps into Corrazone finds herself in an environment built for her aspirations, safety, and growth. By breaking barriers and paving pathways, Corrazone becomes a launchpad for women to transform ideas into impact, amplifying their voices in boardrooms and beyond. Here, women don’t just join teams—they drive them, making leadership not a distant dream, but an everyday reality. For us, real inclusion means every woman becomes a decision-maker.

Q. Corrazone offers flexible working hours, especially to support women entrepreneurs working late into the night. How do you think this flexibility impacts their productivity and peace of mind?

Flexibility at Corrazone is the key to meaningful empowerment, especially for women entrepreneurs. We recognize that many women juggle multiple roles, and rigid office hours should never stand in the way of their creativity or success. By ensuring our co-working space remains accessible and safe even at night, we enable women to work during their natural peak hours and manage family commitments without compromise. Our exclusive night walk for women entrepreneurs helped raise awareness about security and confidence after hours. This flexibility isn’t just about adjusting schedules, it’s about fostering peace of mind, reducing burnout, and nurturing innovation that thrives beyond constraints. Women in Corrazone can focus on creation, not limitations, knowing their workspace adapts to their unique rhythms. Such freedom boosts productivity, strengthens self-assurance, and inspires new solutions. At Corrazone, flexible hours are not a privilege—they are a commitment to helping every woman harness her full potential, chart her own course, and lead with confidence.

Q. Many describe you as having a “motherly touch” when it comes to understanding and supporting startups. How do you personally connect with and mentor these entrepreneurs?

Leadership at Corrazone is deeply rooted in empathy and emotional intelligence. Connecting with and mentoring startups is more than a professional task—it’s a personal calling. Like nurturing a child, every founder’s journey is met with attentive listening, heartfelt understanding, and strategic support. This “motherly touch” is what makes Corrazone truly distinctive; it’s about creating a space where entrepreneurs feel emotionally safe and are emboldened to take risks and grow fearlessly. By listening more than speaking, and addressing needs before offering solutions, the bond of trust strengthens. When founders feel valued and supported, their ideas flourish without fear or hesitation. For me, mentoring is about fueling both the mind and the spirit—because business success is born from emotional well-being. At Corrazone, every interaction is designed to uplift, inspire, and reassure, so every entrepreneur finds not just a mentor, but a steadfast ally on their path to greatness.

Q. What kinds of complimentary support and incubation services do you offer startups at Corrazone, and how do these resources help new businesses flourish?

Corrazone’s dedication to startups is reflected in our comprehensive support and incubation services. We offer early-stage mentorship, help with business registration, vital investor connects, and strategic growth sessions, all integral to every entrepreneur’s journey. Marketing guidance, expert consultation, and collaboration avenues enable startups to refine business models and reach new markets. These resources remove the isolation and uncertainty new founders often experience, providing not just technical advice, but also moral support and inspiration. By connecting startups with mentors, peers, and sector specialists, Corrazone becomes a dynamic launchpad where learning and growth go hand-in-hand. This hands-on approach ensures businesses don’t merely get started; they are equipped to sustain and thrive amid challenges. Success at Corrazone means every founder receives the guidance, encouragement, and network required to turn early-stage ideas into lasting impact, making our commitment more than just a promise—it’s a proven legacy that continues to foster innovation and resilience.

Q. Could you share a memorable success story of a woman-led startup or a community event at Corrazone that exemplifies your mission?

The real magic of Corrazone lives in the stories written by our community. I’ll never forget the young entrepreneur who began with a handful of team members and, through sheer grit and the support of our flexible systems and guidance, grew his company to over 450 employees within a year. Another inspirational tale is of a woman who launched her venture with less than ₹10,000. With Corrazone’s nurturing environment and unwavering encouragement, she transformed her passion into an international business. Our monthly community meetings have become legendary, where women and men alike share their triumphs and struggles, building bonds strong enough to spark collaborations and lifelong friendships. These gatherings reinforce our mission – that success is not measured in awards, but in the lives uplifted and dreams realized. Each story is a testament to the power of community, and they define Corrazone’s essence more than any statistics ever could. Our space is proof that with heart, support, and belief, anything is possible.

Q. Looking beyond Corrazone, how do you see your role as a leader impacting the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kochi and Kerala?

Corrazone’s impact is woven into the larger tapestry of entrepreneurship across Kochi and Kerala. My journey wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of my husband Abdul Nasar, whose vision guides our steps. We aspire to see Kerala emerge as a model for inclusive and compassionate entrepreneurship. By fostering partnerships, mentoring youth, championing women-led initiatives, and building bridges between rural and urban businesses, our efforts extend far beyond Corrazone’s walls. Leadership, for me, is not about achieving personal milestones; it’s about multiplying opportunities, sharing knowledge, and unlocking the potential of others. Kochi is home to a thriving startup ecosystem, and contributing to its growth and energy fills me with immense pride. Through compassion, conviction, and collaboration, Corrazone inspires the next generation of founders to dream bigger, act responsibly, and make lasting contributions. Our ongoing journey is a reminder that true entrepreneurial success is measured in the meaningful change it brings to lives and communities.