Brand Licensing, Master Franchise & Multi-Unit Platform.

Kumar Nitesh

CEO – AJIO Business & Trends Footwear, Reliance Retail

With over 24 years of leadership across India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, Kumar Nitesh is a visionary driving large-scale retail transformation and sustainable business growth in Asia. As CEO of AJIO Business & Trends Footwear at Reliance Retail, he is spearheading innovation across product, format, and market strategies to elevate homegrown fashion brands in the Indian footwear industry.

Kumar is known for his customer-centric, data-driven approach—successfully launching disruptive retail formats, executing strategic market entries, and engineering business turnarounds. He has managed P&L portfolios exceeding $400 million, scaled private labels, and built high-impact teams that deliver consistent, profitable growth. His career foundation was built at Bata, where he spent over 14 years in senior leadership roles across South and Southeast Asia, followed by a successful stint with Apparel Group MENA, managing global brands like Hush Puppies, Dune London, Crocs, and Naturalizer across the GCC. At Reliance Retail, Kumar Nitesh has been instrumental in leading the turnaround of iconic brands like Lee Cooper, John Player, Payless, Catwalk, Performax, and Fashion World. He is driving the next phase of growth for AJIO and Trends Footwear through franchise-led expansion, private label scaling, and mass-market innovation. His leadership has also pioneered B2B and B2B2C strategies to bridge the gap between India’s organized and unorganized retail sectors. Under his guidance, the business has consistently delivered double-digit growth, built high-performance teams, and scaled profitably across diverse retail formats. Philosophy & Leadership.

“People do not buy products. They buy stories, experiences, and magic.” This belief defines Kumar’s leadership style—purpose-driven, empathetic, and performance-focused. His spiritual grounding fuels his clarity, creativity, and ability to inspire high-performing, values-led teams. Educationally enriched by RetailCo (Singapore) and ADVANCO (Europe) programs, Kumar blends a deep understanding of Asian consumer behavior with insights into European retail best practices, giving him a unique ability to scale businesses across geographies.

Sumit Jasoria

CEO & Cofounder, NEWME

Sumit Jasoria stands as the co-founder and CEO of NEWME, a rapidly ascending fashion-tech brand for GenZ in India. With a rich background as a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, Sumit along with Shivam Tripathi, Vinod Naik, and Himanshu Chaudhary started NEWME in July 2022.

Sumit holds an MBA Degree from the Prestigious Institute of FMS Delhi. Prior to starting NEWME, Sumit was a founding member at Daraz.com (Rocket Internet-backed venture) in South Asia where he was the Regional MD and managed markets of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
Additionally, his tenure as Managing Director for the Indian market at Meero equipped him with invaluable insights into the nuances of the B2B market across India and Southeast Asia. thus, allowing him to adeptly navigate the complexities of establishing and scaling startups within the region.
At NEWME, Sumit spearheads the mission to cultivate the premier fashion-tech platform for Gen Z in India and Southeast Asia. His vision encompasses tackling the supply chain challenges prevalent in the Indian fashion industry while simultaneously crafting NEWME into a data-driven fashion brand poised to make waves both domestically and globally.

Naman Mawandia

Co-Founder, Magicpin

Naman Mawandia is the Co-founder & CXO - Enterprise Brands of magicpin- India’s first and largest Hyperlocal savings super-app. It is the largest discovery and discount platform for offline and physical retail including local stores with over 10 million+ members. The members can earn rewards and discounts at more than 250,000 brands and retailer stores across categories - fashion, food, electronics, grocery, pharma, nightlife, and entertainment. Naman has over 20 years professional experience in investment banking and consulting. As a co-founder of magicpin, Naman has been instrumental in shaping the company's vision and driving its strategic initiatives. He has been instrumental in shaping magicpin's business strategy, forging key partnerships with brands which has resulted in 5M+ listed merchants across 20+ cities and leading fashion categories. Major brands including Puma, U.S Polo, Van Heusen, Pepe Jeans, Wrogn, Titan World, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Pantaloons, Being Human, Jack & Jones, ONLY, Max Fashion, Bata, Levi’s, Blackberry etc joined the platform in the last 24 months. magicpin has become the largest food delivery seller app on ONDC with 1.5 lakh daily orders in food and logistics. magicpin is also the largest restaurant aggregator on the ONDC network with more than 80,000 restaurants already onboarded and witnessed 200-fold growth in ONDC’s daily orders through magicpin.

Dr. Sujit Paul

Group CEO, Zota Healthcare Ltd.

Dr. Sujit Paul – Group CEO – leads the domestic and international businesses. An industry veteran with many years in senior leadership roles. He carries more than two & half decades of rich experience in setting up, scaling and operating for diverse plethora of brands such as Reliance Pharma Retail, Asian Paints, Bata, Kodak, Apollo Pharmacy, Trust Pharmacy, Columbia Asia Hospital, CAH Clinics and many more. He has the unique distinction of serving as a consultant & advisor to multiple International Beauty & Retail brands. He has been featured in innumerable National and International news, media, TV Interview, and magazines consistently. He has been extensively covered by a huge repertoire of publications ranging from “Times Now and Brand Vision honoured amongst 100 Top Global Leaders by Asia One” in Dubai to “CEO Insights magazine as Top 10 CEOs in Healthcare”. To recognize his outstanding contribution to the Retail industry, he has been conferred with India’s Impactful CEO by Times Now, Innovative Visionary & Leading Healthcare CEO by Elets Technomedia, Industry No. 1 CEO in Pharma retail by BARC Asia, Eminent speaker by South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, distinguished TEDx speaker & recognized as amongst Top 15 Promising leaders in India by Money Control in May 2023, and many more. An avid reader, author, motivational speaker, coach and mentor, he has been setting the direction for all towards “Positive living”.

Kashika Malhotra

Group CEO, Zota Healthcare Ltd.

Kashika Malhotra is an emerging business leader with a strong focus on sustainability and growth in the retail sector. As the Head of Business Development at Brandman Retail, she drives strategic partnerships and expansion for international brands entering the Indian market. Founded in 2021, Brandman Retail is a leading retail brand solution with a provider specializing in introducing and establishing global footwear, apparel, and accessories brands in India. With a client base from premium international brands like New Balance, Saucony and Rockport (for which Brandman Retail holds exclusive rights), G/FORE, On, and more, spanning categories such as footwear, apparel, and accessories, Brandman Retail has signed contracts with these industry leaders. With a background in management and sustainable development, Kashika earned her MA from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and also participated in a study abroad program at the National University of Singapore. She has contributed to numerous impactful initiatives, including founding RAMP, a social enterprise that blends creativity with social causes, and TrustME, a platform connecting young social entrepreneurs with legal and financial experts to establish sustainable business structures.

Saumil Mehta

President & Business Head, Domestic Home Textiles Business, Welspun Living Limited

Saumil has more than 2 decades years of Corporate Journey – from Management Trainee to General Management. The journey included working with the most iconic Global & Indian Brands / Organizations like PepsiCo, Samsung, Pidilite, Crompton Greaves, Kraft Heinz & Domino’s Pizza, before joining the iconic Welspun Group, leading their Domestic Home Textile Business. This makes Saumil experienced in over two-third of the Consumer Product Categories in the world. Saumil has worked on key assignments of operational mergers of acquired companies with parent company, setting – up a new business in a profitable manner, scaling up a sub-scale business & turning around sub-optimal / loss-making businesses. The same has got him various awards within these iconic organizations & even from reputed business forums. Saumil brings deep-rooted understanding of consumer-facing brands and consumer behaviour that propels brand consumption across categories, consumer-strata, geography and channels. All in all, Saumil enjoys being in the Business of Brands.

Sanjay Bhattacharjee

Head of Retail, Mia by Tanishq

Sanjay Bhattacharjee has taken charge as the Head of Retail at Mia by Tanishq, part of Titan’s Jewellery Division. With a rich and diverse career spanning two decades at Titan, Sanjay brings extensive expertise and leadership to his new role. Since joining Titan in 2004, Sanjay has excelled across various domains, including Retail Operations, Customer Experience, Loyalty, and Business Development. As the Retail Head for World of Titan and Fastrack Stores in the Watches and Wearables Division, he played a pivotal role in driving retail success. In 2019, Sanjay transitioned to Titan’s Digital Team, where he spearheaded key initiatives, such as scaling the Encircle loyalty program, implementing Salesforce CRM, driving assisted e-commerce, integrating Tata Neu, and forging the Titan SBI Card partnership. Most recently, he was part of the International Business Division. Beyond work, Sanjay is passionate about building communities and giving back to society, and he plays an active role in many philanthropic activities. With his vast experience and customer-first approach, Sanjay is poised to further elevate Mia’s retail presence and drive its growth in the evolving jewellery market.

Arjun Ranga

CEO, N. Ranga Rao & Sons

Arjun Ranga is the CEO & Managing Director of N Ranga Rao & Sons Pvt Ltd. The company was established in 1948 by Shri. N. Ranga Rao in Mysuru. It is the manufacturer of Cycle Pure Agarbathi, India's largest selling prayer brand. Managed by the third generation of the Ranga family today, the NR Group is a global conglomerate with a presence in over 75 countries. It has diversified into new business categories such as functional air care products, wellness and home fragrance products, floral extracts, solar irrigation systems, healthcare solutions, defence, aerospace and education. Arjun completed his engineering from SJ College of Engineering Mysuru and MBA from Thunderbird, USA. He worked in the US for a couple of years before joining the family business in 2000. Under his leadership, the group has launched many innovations and initiatives that have become trendsetting for the industry. He is passionate about driving, transforming and scaling the business based on ethical, collaborative and value-based growth. As the world's largest incense manufacturer, the group is committed to providing hope for future generations by following ethical and sustainable business practices. Cycle Pure is the world's first certified Zero Carbon Manufacturer of incense, prayer and air care products. Arjun is President of the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers Association (AIAMA) and Chairman of Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM).

Vikram Marwaha

Joint Managing Director, DRRK Foods

Also hailing from Amritsar, Mr. Vikram Marwaha joined the business in 2002, bringing a dynamic approach to both domestic and international markets. A GNDU graduate with further management training from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Mr. Vikram Marwaha is responsible for overseeing the expansion and operations of Crown Rice across various markets. His forward-thinking strategies and dedication to building long-term relationships are key to the company’s ambitious growth plans

Lavanya Nalli

Vice Chairperson, Nalli Group, Companies

Lavanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Zivame, is a distinguished leader known for her strategic vision and results-driven approach. With over two decades of experience across e-commerce, retail, telecom, and IT, she has been instrumental in steering Zivame's transformation into an omnichannel powerhouse. Under her leadership, Zivame boasts over 170 exclusive brand outlets and presence in more than 4000 trade outlets. It also has a vast online presence including sale on own platform Zivame.com & all leading marketplaces reaching length and breadth of the entire country. Lavanya's expertise in business strategy, financial management, and innovation has positioned Zivame as a leader in the intimate wear industry.

Shobhit Singh

Managing Director & CEO, Stone Sapphire India Pvt Ltd

Established in 2007, Stone Sapphire pvt ltd is a Gujarat based manufacturer, importer and supplier of paper products having a working capital of Rs 1 crore. It is a group company of Red Ridge Global Limited, one of Asia’s largest arts and crafts supplier, and caters to the paper product requirements of US retailers in India. The company has its office and as well from where it imports its products. Stone Sapphire also majorly exports its products to the United States. Stone Sapphire has become a major player in the Indian market because of its superior quality products and their availability in various designs, colours and sizes and also for reasonable prices. Some of the major brands that Stone Sapphire cater to are retailers like Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Big Lots, Michaels and many more. Since 2017, the company has been actively involved in the manufacturing and distribution of SK’OODLE, a full range of Art supplies, Craft material and Eco friendly Stationery for children. It gets distributed through a network of more than 250 distributors covering above 15000 Doors managed by an exclusive sales team of 90 people. Stone Sapphire also plans to set up a factory to exclusively manufacture international brand toys and encourage the Indian government’s Make In India initiative. The company is well poised to extend its expertise in brand management, distribution and marketing on a Pan India basis. Stone Sapphire exports items like paper tissue wrap, gift boxes, paper bags, gift wraps, greeting cards, display cartons etc and are involved in the import of items such as chalk, crayon, art kits, books, folders, glue, markers, pencils, notebooks and so on.

Samiran Sarkar

Head of Business Development & Corporate Real Estate, Purplle

Established in 2007, Stone Sapphire pvt ltd is a Gujarat based manufacturer, importer and supplier of paper products having a working capital of Rs 1 crore. It is a group company of Red Ridge Global Limited, one of Asia’s largest arts and crafts supplier, and caters to the paper product requirements of US retailers in India. The company has its office and as well from where it imports its products. Stone Sapphire also majorly exports its products to the United States. Stone Sapphire has become a major player in the Indian market because of its superior quality products and their availability in various designs, colours and sizes and also for reasonable prices. Some of the major brands that Stone Sapphire cater to are retailers like Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Big Lots, Michaels and many more. Since 2017, the company has been actively involved in the manufacturing and distribution of SK’OODLE, a full range of Art supplies, Craft material and Eco friendly Stationery for children. It gets distributed through a network of more than 250 distributors covering above 15000 Doors managed by an exclusive sales team of 90 people. Stone Sapphire also plans to set up a factory to exclusively manufacture international brand toys and encourage the Indian government’s Make In India initiative. The company is well poised to extend its expertise in brand management, distribution and marketing on a Pan India basis. Stone Sapphire exports items like paper tissue wrap, gift boxes, paper bags, gift wraps, greeting cards, display cartons etc and are involved in the import of items such as chalk, crayon, art kits, books, folders, glue, markers, pencils, notebooks and so on.

Sandeep Kumar

Vice President - Digital & Technology, Diageo

Sandeep has extensive experience of over two decades in Business and Technology transformation working at global corporates, top tier IT service providers, global capability centers, consulting and advisory firms. He brings expertise in Digital & Technology transformations - strategy, architecture, planning & execution across capability areas in the consumer products industry and also carries entrepreneurial experiences in the Digital & Innovation space having set up white-label D2C platform offerings. Prior to Diageo he has been associated with firms like PwC, Wipro, SAP, ISG & Schneider Electric. He is an alumnus of IIT Mumbai and IIM Kolkata.

Bhupender Gupta

Deputy General Manager, Panasonic

I began my career as a Sales Manager at IPCA Laboratories, where I developed key skills in understanding customer needs and driving results. My passion for technology led me to take a bold step in 2006, transitioning into the world of Oracle technology. This shift ignited my fascination for ERP systems and the limitless potential of innovation, which I continue to explore to this day. Over the years, I’ve grown into a leadership role, where I enjoy collaborating with diverse teams, solving complex challenges, and enabling business success through technology-driven solutions. Outside of work, I channel my energy into activities that fuel my creativity and passion: Cricket, Friendship: Hanging out with friends allows me to maintain a healthy work-life balance and Listening to Music: It’s my go-to escape.

Subodh Jain

Senior Vice President - Growth & Category, HomeLane.com

In his role, over the past three years at HomeLane, Subodh has been primarily responsible for Partner Management, Category, Customer Experience, and Business Development. Subodh has been instrumental in HomeLane’s success in designing and delivering 21,000+ homes to homeowners across 19 cities. Subodh has about 12 years of experience in consulting, e-commerce, retail, and business development. Before joining HomeLane, Subodh has been a Category Head with Myntra Jabong Pvt Ltd, contributing to the organization's growth in the Men's Apparel category.

Nisha Khatri

Head of Marketing, Libas

Nisha Khatri is a seasoned marketing professional with a robust track record in leveraging greater Share of Voice (SOV) and strategic positioning for brands across digital media and marketplaces. She excels in crafting impactful marketing campaigns that target specific audiences, driving significant revenue growth. Born and raised in New Delhi, Nisha has been transforming brands online with innovative digital and marketing strategies, leading to award-winning campaigns. Fascinated by the human mind and psychology, she pursued psychology courses mid-career, becoming a certified counsellor and therapist. She hosts the health and wellness podcast "Blessing in Breaking," aimed at reducing loneliness and promoting mental well-being. In her free time, Nisha enjoys tending to her terrace garden and exploring bakeries, particularly in search of the world’s best Tiramisu. Her dedication to guiding others towards their best selves, combined with her professional acumen, makes her a pivotal force in the marketing realm.

Dinesh Talera

Founder, Mysore Saree Udyog

Dinesh Talera, a veteran of the textile industry and co-founder of Mysore Saree Udyog (MSU), weaves a tale of timeless elegance and entrepreneurial prowess in the Indian ethnic fashion landscape. Equipped with a BCom degree from SSMRV Degree College, Dinesh has played a pivotal role in steering MSU, a heritage institution with nearly nine decades of rich history. As second-generation entrepreneurs, Dinesh Talera and Kamlesh Talera, alongside their visionary family members, have been instrumental in transforming the business from its roots in real gold threads to a multifaceted enterprise. From the wholesale of silk yarn and silk fabric to its current stature as a revered retail destination, MSU is synonymous with quality, design innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Dinesh, through his unwavering commitment to personal training and infusion of design culture, spearheads technological innovations at MSU. His focus on craftsmanship and innovation has propelled growth by aligning with market trends and nurturing customer loyalty. Meanwhile, Kamlesh efficiently manages operations, strategically expanding MSU's vendor network to over 6,000 nationwide. The seamless collaboration between Dinesh's innovative leadership and Kamlesh's strategic operational management defines MSU's success. Their combined efforts have shaped a business known for its thriving and loyal customer base, reflecting a people-centric culture.

Bharat Sethi

Founder, Rage Coffee

Bharat Sethi is a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor with a proven track record in building successful consumer brands and digital businesses. As the Founder & CEO of Rage Coffee, he has pioneered the "caffeine innovation" in India, creating the world’s first plant-based vitamins coffee. Since its inception in 2019, Rage Coffee has gained rapid prominence for its innovative products, manufacturing techniques, packaging innovation - offering a variety of flavors to cater to the health-conscious consumers. Bharat Sethi has secured $10M+ in funding for Rage Coffee from leading Venture Capital funds while establishing a strong D2C and omnichannel retail presence across 20,000+ offline touchpoints and major online marketplaces. Rage Coffee also counts ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador and investor. Before Rage Coffee, at the age of 21, Bharat founded PosterGully (2012-2016), an online platform for artists and designers, which he bootstrapped and later exited successfully. He then launched iDecorama (2016-2018), a B2B marketplace for architects and interior designers, further solidifying his expertise in e-commerce, digital marketing, and brand building. Over the years, he has actively invested in high-growth startups across FMCG, technology, and e-commerce, backing brands like Handpicked, DrinkPrime, Jimmy’s Cocktails, Assembly Luggage, Sanfe, VOIZ, MasterChow amongst others.

Ganesh Sonawane

CEO, Frido

Ganesh Sonawane’s story is one of vision, determination, and the desire to make life easier for others. As the Co-founder and CEO of Frido, Ganesh has built a brand that puts comfort and innovation at the heart of everything it does. A mechanical engineer from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Ganesh began his career at Bajaj Auto, where he spent five years mastering the art of product development and testing. These years gave him hands-on experience and a deep understanding of creating solutions that work in real life. But something was missing—he wanted to use his skills to solve everyday problems and help people live better lives. That desire led to the birth of Frido – Freedom to do more; a brand dedicated to enhancing comfort in the simplest yet most meaningful ways. Ganesh and his team started small, focusing on their first product - wheelchair and then other products like cushions, insoles, each carefully designed to make daily activities—like sitting, sleeping, and walking—more comfortable. With a clear focus on affordability, accessibility, quality, and innovation, Frido quickly grew into a trusted name in ergonomic solutions.

Neha Kant

Founder, Clovia

Neha Kant is one of the founders of Clovia, a premier fashion, lingerie, and personal care brand for the urban millennial woman. After a decade-long career in corporate India, working with FCB Ulka and India Today Group, Neha identified a gap in the lingerie market in India and decided to address it by launching a solution-oriented brand. With Clovia, Neha meant to redefine the Indian lingerie market and help customers choose beyond standard cuts, shapes and colours. Clovia is all about finding the unique size and fit for every girl and woman and providing solutions to a whole host of wardrobe problems. Last year, Neha took Clovia to one of the biggest exits in the Indian apparel space thereby raising the brand’s profile globally. Since inception, till today, Neha's mantra is that lingerie is a critical part of one's wardrobe and it doesn’t need to be drab and boring. She aims to occupy the “most-favorite brand” space in the minds of her consumers. Neha has also been instrumental in building the brand ethos of ‘Joy’ at Clovia which is meant not just for customers but also the team thereby creating a cheerful work- environment which promotes job-satisfaction despite high-pressure situations common at start-ups. Clovia is today well-known for being a happy work-place, with people who are satisfied and fulfilled in their work.

Saurabh Munjal

CEO & Co-Founder, Archian Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Lahori Zeera)

Saurabh Munjal is the co-founder and CEO of Archian Foods Pvt. Ltd., the parent company behind the popular beverage brand Lahori Zeera. Established in 2017, Archian Foods emerged with the aim of offering natural, desi-inspired drinks to the Indian market.Saurabh's entrepreneurial journey began with ventures in trade finance and hospitality before focusing on the food and beverage industry. Under his leadership, Archian Foods has scaled rapidly, achieving production of 20 lakh bottles per day and expanding its product range to include flavors like Nimbu, Kacha Aam, and Shikanji.

Shashi Kumar

Founder & CEO, Akshayakalpa Organic

Shashi Kumar’s journey in organised dairy is unlikely by all standards and norms. Born and raised in a farming family in South Karnataka, Shashi had first-hand experience of rural poverty that had forced him to complete his primary and college education while living in a relative’s house away from his own. However, with the resolve to improve his and his family’s well-being, Shashi, like many young men of his generation, pursued his bachelor’s degree in computer science and subsequently landed a job at Wipro Technologies. Further, he completed his master’s degree in telecommunication engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.

With a background of 17 years in the technology industry, he decided to return to his homeland with a single goal: rethink and recreate his country’s farm sector that will improve the economic conditions of millions of small and marginal farmers. Personally driven by seeing his family drift away from agriculture after six generations of struggle and toil. Along with noted veterinarian and social entrepreneur Dr G.N.S. Reddy, and the financial support of 27 professional colleagues, Shashi started Akshayakalpa Organic in 2010. Akshayakalpa has grown to become India’s largest certified organic milk company, serving fresh and nutritious organic milk to more than 60,000 households daily in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. A vast majority of the 850 farmers who are now part of the Akshayakalpa movement have improved their earnings by 3-4 times and live the life of any reasonably successful entrepreneur or professional in India.

Vibhuti Dixit

Founder, Basil Alliance

India's AlcoBev industry is no longer just about quenching thirst; it's about experience, innovation, and a taste of the future. From craft distilleries to premium imports, the spirit of the times is intoxicating. At Basil, we are revolutionizing the AlcoBev industry by bringing premium, innovative and quality international products to the Indian consumers. In a short span of 3 years, Basil has created a diverse portfolio of imported wines, RTDs, gins etc. and forged strong relationships with suppliers and retailers. Partnering with IPV has been a transformative experience for us at Basil. Their belief in our vision to revolutionize the AlcoBev industry with technology-driven solutions fuels our ambition to make it a unicorn.”

Ackshay Jain

Co- Founder & CEO, Culture Circle

Ackshay Jain is a visionary entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Culture Circle, India’s premier marketplace for hype and luxury fashion. With a strong foundation in technology, machine learning, and entrepreneurship, Ackshay has built a platform that connects Gen Z consumers with premium global brands like Jordans, Yeezys, and Louis Vuitton, offering them at unmatched prices. Through its focus on authenticity and a robust supply chain powered by SourceX, Culture Circle has quickly established itself as a trusted leader in the luxury streetwear market. Ackshay’s professional journey is marked by milestones of significant impact. As the Convenor of JIIF Gurgaon, Ackshay actively mentors startups, facilitates connections with angel investors, and drives entrepreneurial growth within the JIIF network. He inspires entrepreneurs to think beyond "local maxima" and solve problems that create larger, meaningful impacts. His time at Google further honed his technical and strategic expertise; despite being offered a PPO, Ackshay chose to pursue his entrepreneurial vision. In 2018, Ackshay founded The Healthy Company (THC), a health-tech startup combining biotechnology and AI to empower individuals in achieving their health goals. This venture demonstrated his ability to innovate across industries and his passion for building solutions that address contemporary challenges.

Sachin Gupta

Senior VP Marketing, AstroTalk

Sachin Gupta is an experienced marketing professional with a proven track record of success. Sachin began their career in 2012 as Assistant Manager Digital Marketing at YepMe.com, where they were responsible for increasing the company's topline and ROI by 10X and 3X, respectively, using Google and Facebook advertising. In 2013, Sachin founded www. AtFactoryPrice.com and the brand "De Octa", a D2C brand for wrist watches, sunglasses, wallets, and shoes. Sachin achieved acquisition costs as low as Rs 20 with 200 orders a day, but the venture failed due to not being able to service orders completely.

In 2014, Sachin took on the role of Head of Mobile App User Acquisition at MobiKwik, where they were responsible for everything related to mobile apps, FB advertising, Google adwords, affiliate marketing, media buys, and native advertising. At the peak, the company was adding 100k users a day taking Paytm as a direct competitor. In 2015, Sachin became Chief Marketing Officer at JungleWorks. In 2017, they founded The Himalayan ROI, a performance marketing agency, and raised funds from a previous employer. This agency provides a complete suite of performance marketing services for organisations of all sizes. In 2021, Sachin took on two roles, Senior VP Marketing and VP Performance Marketing at Astrotalk and Growth and Retention at OZiva, where they handled a budget of $1.5m per month for performance marketing.

Prateek Mittal

Founder & CEO, Crèmeitalia

A lover of food who relishes each bite savouring the flavours and joy it brings to him, Prateek Mittal has always held the F&B industry close to his heart. Having completed his education from Regents Business School in the UK over a decade ago, Prateek kickstarted his entrepreneurial journey with Torrp It Up, a gourmet sandwich bar chain that expanded across 20 outlets in Mumbai and Pune. However, 7 years after this venture began, he decided to bid it adieu given the slow growth within the QSR space in India, only to look onwards and upwards. A few months later, while he continued to explore different sectors such as construction, travel, tourism, education and hospitality through his family business, Prateek realised that a large part of him was still inclined towards the culinary industry, and that he must serve this calling. That’s what led to the inception of Cremeitalia, an artisanal cheese brand that is now widely available in the market, having created a niche of its own.

Vikram Kumar Limsay

Founder & Managing Partner - Helicon Consulting

Mr. Vikram Kumar Limsay is a respected thought leader in matters of corporate & business strategy & works at the intersection of business policy & public policy. He is reputed for his knowledge of strategic width & functional depth across sectors & business’ & has a firm grasp on policy direction, geo-politics & geo-economics which allows him to offer implementable & future proofed advisory. He is reputed for his unique & lateral perspectives on matters of economy – policy & business. Over three decades in the industry, he began his early career with the prestigious Tata Administrative Service (TAS) after which for a large part of his career he has been an entrepreneur, investor & strategist shaping the direction of Helicon Consulting into the premier management consulting firm that it is today.

Swati Shukla

Head Food and Farms - Godavari Biorefineries Limited

Swati Shukla is the Head of Food and Farms at Godavari Biorefineries Limited, leading the branded food business under the Jivana brand and driving farm initiatives focused on sustainability and enhancing farmer profitability.She has over 29 years of experience working in the commodities, food, and FMCG industries and is a strong business leader who excels at creating and scaling businesses in B2B and B2C packaged food categories. Swati has held leadership positions at Cargill in Switzerland and India for 21 years and was instrumental in strategizing, launching, and growing businesses in edible oils, flour, and industrial chocolate. She is the first woman sugar trader in India and established Cargill's largest sugar trading enterprise in the Indian subcontinent, becoming a leading light in the international sugar sector and Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA). A people-first leader with a strong passion for her work, Swati is renowned for her effective mentoring skills and has an impeccable record of developing high-performance teams. She has been on the board of Cargill India and Silk Road Sugars, a joint venture between EID Parry and Cargill, and was a member of the Sugar Task Force of CII. Her experience includes commodity risk management, strategic pricing, and profitability improvement, and she is a well-known thought leader in the agribusiness and food industries.

Sudhir Goel

Chief Business Officer, Acer India

Sudhir Goel is the Chief Business Officer at Acer India. With over 35 years of experience, Sudhir Goel brings in a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role in Acer India. Sudhir’s deep expertise lies in Emerging Markets and sales. He is an industry veteran with a proven track record in managing diverse industry segments, customer engagement models, and partnerships. Before the current role, he handled the portfolio of Chief Supply Chain Officer, responsible for the supply chain - operations, procurement, material planning, and manufacturing functions. He established the Product Engineering team and a direct relationship of product development with key ODMs. This has helped Acer India to achieve a leadership position in the Desktop Market in India. Also, he was instrumental in establishing Acer India’s manufacturing facility at Pondicherry. Sudhir has a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) degree from BITS Pilani and did his MBA (Marketing) from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University. He is fond of reading both fiction and non fiction and loves to watch movies in his spare time.

Rohan Sable

Regional COO- South India, PVR Inox Ltd

Senior operations and general management leader leveraging more than 24 years of top-level profit responsibility for multi-service hotels-resorts nationwide and now charting my path in the Multiplex and Cinemas business with PVR & INOX as a merged entity - heading over 70 present & future assets Across the southern states with over 4000+ talented team members and 5 regional GMs also overseeing the South regional office. Annual turnover of over INR 1400 crore regionally with a focus on synergy of the newly merged entity making us India's largest multiplex company and the world's 4th largest by screen count. Recognized for transformation & turnaround of hotels, owner management and for increasing bottom-line margins while increasing quality & service in organizations. Building people focused teams with strong E.Q. and efficient systems to positively impact the business. My larger purpose is to keep a keen eye on overall business management, positioning, excellent profitability, balanced owner management and outstanding success for the hotels I manage. Successfully completed Accorhotels Leading in Luxury program In Singapore in my earlier assignment. Development 5 GM's, 3 hotel managers/operations managers and several HOD's through my times at hotels over three years.

Chippy Mehta

Co-Founder and CEO, Bombay Shirt

Chippy is the current Co-founder and C.O.O at the Bombay Shirt Company, spearheading the company to become the largest custom-made Apparel brand for Men in India. He oversees the entire operations of the company which includes the Online and Offline Retail network, in addition to the robust Tech-driven Supply Chain that manages thousands of custom-made products being shipped daily. He has over 22 years of experience in the Apparel Manufacturing and Retail sector where he has played an advisory role at startups such as Hopscotch, in addition to having built his own business under the well-known Indian conglomerate, The Creative Group. Chippy has an Undergraduate Degree from Brown University, graduating with Triple Honours and a double major in Business Economics & Psychology. He is also an ex-Professional Tennis player having played for India in the Junior Grand Slam circuit and reaching the Top 30 in the World Junior Rankings

Hitesh Jain

Founder, Citrus Clothing

Hitesh Jain, along with his brothers, is the dynamic co-founder of Aryan Clothing, a name synonymous with quality and innovation in the Indian fashion industry. Established over 24 years ago in Bangalore, Aryan Clothing began as a modest multi-brand outlet (MBO) and has since evolved into a thriving enterprise with a robust national footprint. Together with his brothers, Hitesh played a pivotal role in transforming Aryan Clothing into a trusted brand. His strategic foresight led to the launch of Citrus, Aryan Clothing’s flagship brand, which embodies a perfect blend of timeless style and contemporary trends. Initially started out of necessity, Aryan Clothing quickly became a passion-driven venture under Hitesh’s leadership. One of Hitesh’s standout achievements is his instrumental role in expanding Citrus’ distribution channels across India. He has personally built strong relationships with retailers, establishing a trusted and lasting connection that has strengthened Citrus’ widespread presence. His hands-on approach and deep understanding of market dynamics have been crucial in ensuring Citrus’ success in diverse markets. In 2024, Hitesh took the initiative to launch Citrus’ e-commerce business, a strategic move to meet evolving consumer demands and enhance the brand’s digital footprint.

Harsh Somaiya

Founder, Citrus Clothing

Harsh Somaiya is the visionary founder of The Bear House, a contemporary menswear brand redefining modern fashion with its focus on versatility, comfort, and timeless style. With a fearless entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for innovation, Harsh has built a brand that reflects strength, adaptability, and individuality. At the helm of The Bear House, Harsh has successfully blended global trends with local sensibilities, offering sophisticated clothing that transitions effortlessly between work, leisure, and casual outings. His keen understanding of the modern wardrobe has positioned the brand as a pioneer in hybrid fashion, catering to a generation that values both functionality and elegance. Prior to launching The Bear House, Harsh founded Bloomcraft Apparels, an export house that scaled to INR 55 Cr under his leadership. Operating a facility spanning 5 acres, equipped with 700 machines and 1,500 employees, Bloomcraft produced 2 to 2.5 lakh pieces per month and collaborated with global fashion giants such as Mango, Zara, Lacoste, and CK. Harsh’s entrepreneurial journey is defined by curiosity, commitment to quality, and a passion for empowering individuals to express themselves fearlessly. His ability to anticipate shifting trends and adapt to the evolving fashion landscape has driven The Bear House's impressive growth post-pandemic, building a loyal community that embraces the brand’s ethos of comfort and confidence. A trailblazer in the Indian fashion industry, Harsh continues to inspire with his innovative vision, pushing boundaries and redefining menswear for a global audience.

Sumit Santhalia

Co-Founder & Director, TechnoSport

As the Co-Founder & Director at TechnoSport, my journey has been shaped by a blend of business acumen and a deep-seated passion for fitness and fashion. The inception of TechnoSport stemmed from a vision to fill a void in the market—delivering high-performance athletic wear that embodies style and quality without the exorbitant price tags of international brands. My co-founder Sunil and I identified an opportunity amidst a sea of replicated sportswear brands lacking in both quality and affordability, setting out to make a significant impact in the industry.

One of our initial challenges was establishing a robust ecosystem for activewear production in India. We initially faced shortages in quality fabric suppliers and suitable manufacturing facilities. To tackle this, we forged partnerships with local garment makers and sourced fabrics from both China and Ludhiana. However, as we encountered hurdles with consistency and costs, we pivoted towards developing our own fabric capabilities. This strategic shift allowed us to maintain stringent quality control and elevate the standard of our products over time.

Prashant Parameswaran

President, Tata Soulfull

Mr. Prashant Parameswaran is the President – Soulfull, Tata Consumer Products Ltd from September ‘24. In his previous role, he served as the Co-Founder and Managing Director/CEO of Kottaram Agro Foods (Soulfull) for ten years. Under the brand name of SOULFULL, he has brought back traditional grains like millets to the modern Indian consumer in a form that is relevant for the 21’st century.

With over 20 years of experience, he began his career in 2001 by successfully setting up distribution and retail business units in India under the Kottaram Group umbrella. He was responsible for setting up the Operations, accountable for sales and marketing to the Principal and Profits to the Owner Group. He also built a strong and independent sales force. During his stint in the US, he worked with international firms like Limited brands and Information Resources Inc., where he was a Director supporting the Marketing Strategies team at Safeway Supermarkets out of their California headquarters. He led the team in managing revenues and capturing new business opportunities. He is an engineering graduate from the from PSG College of Technology and holds an MBA from Babson College – Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business. He is the Member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Bangalore Chapter was an active Round Tabler in Bangalore and Cochin till 2020.

Utkarsh Gupta

Founder, Comet

Utkarsh completed his undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics (LSE). Following that, he joined Bain & Company. After his time at Bain, he moved to Hotstar, where he served as Chief of Staff to the CEO. He later pursued further education at the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.

Vijay C

Founder, Xtep India

Vijay is a serial entrepreneur with 19 years of experience in Technology, Clean-Tech, Real Estate & retail. Vijay has lived and worked in USA, Canada, China, and Spain. He has a degree in Engineering from India and MBA from CEIBS Shanghai & IESE Barcelona. Vijay started his career in Information Technology with Infosys and American Express, and moved to renewable energy, before coming back to India in 2012, for the past 12 years Vijay has founded & scaled several companies such as Craft Coffee – A farm to cup café chain with 23 outlets, and V1 Malls – Tech enabled real estate development co which owns and operates over 2 million Sq Ft. of shopping malls, offices across India. In 2019l, Vijay’s company “Vrisa Sports” had set up set a up JV with HK Based XTEP International Ltd to Design, Manufacture, and Distribute XTEP and Palladium footwear brands in India. In his current role, Vijay is leading the XTEP and Palladium footwear brands in India. In Last 5 years he has built a robust offline network of 200+ stores and achieved annual GMV of INR 110 Crore. His vision is to Make XTEP the #1 Running brand in India and to Scale Palladium to become #1 premium outdoor brand in India.

Mohit Jain

Founder & CEO, Miraggio

In the vibrant tapestry of entrepreneurial spirit, Mohit Jain emerges as a luminary weaving dreams into reality. As the maestro behind Miraggio Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd., he doesn't just lead; he orchestrates a symphony of affordable luxury in the fashion realm. Armed with a business marketing degree from the University of Guelph-Humber, he didn't just graduate; he embarked on a mission—to redefine the very essence of fashion.

Mohit’s journey commenced not just with a market gap but with a discerning eye that could spot the heartbeat of aspirational yet budget-friendly fashion accessories. Miraggio is his brainchild, it isn't just a platform; it's a testament to the empowerment of women, allowing them to paint their individuality and confidence through the vibrant strokes of fashion. His leadership style is distinctly characterized by a mix of modern and sophisticated approach, accompanied by an unwavering commitment to delivering value to customers. "Do better and inspire everyone around me to do better"

Vidita Kochar Jain

Co-Founder, Jewelbox

Vidita Kochar Jain is the co-founder of Jewelbox, the country's most trusted lab-grown diamond jewelry brand. Together with her brother and co-founder Nipun Kochar, Vidita spearheads a new era of conscious luxury that makes exquisite diamond jewelry accessible to all.

Born in Kolkata to a family of professionals, Vidita is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA from the prestigious Indian School of Business. Her strong financial acumen and business expertise have been instrumental in her entrepreneurial journey. Vidita's entrepreneurial journey began at 20 when she co-founded the AdTech startup Planmyad with Nipun. This early venture provided her with valuable insights into the startup ecosystem. She then gained corporate experience at Swiggy before launching Jewelbox in May 2022 with her brother Nipun, leveraging her diverse background to create a revolutionary jewelry brand. The idea for Jewelbox sparked when Vidita discovered her engagement ring featured an environmentally friendly, lab-grown diamond. This personal experience inspired her to create a brand that offers stunning, ethically sourced jewelry without compromise. Vidita envisions Jewelbox as more than a brand – it's a movement towards conscious, inclusive luxury.

Abhishek Daga

Founder & Chairman, Nasher Miles

n 2014, we embarked on a venture that would eventually evolve into a luggage brand that would be a market disruptor and make it to national headlines within a span of 7 years and in doing so remain bootstrapped and profitable. Our small, tight-knit team, connected by a shared passion for business and entrepreneurship, is ever ready to ride the twists and turns of the evolving online retail scene in India. A lean 45 member team, passionate and cohesive about their shared vision to make Nasher Miles one of the top luggage brands in India by 2028, is working ever so hard to realise this goal. Our "moat", so to speak of, is execution. We take pride in our operational efficiency, a testament to our commitment to excellence.

Lisa Mukhedkar

Co- Founder & CEO, Aukera Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery

Lisa, with an inherent entrepreneurial DNA and a proven hand in category creation, is known in the circle as a serial entrepreneur. She founded AUKERA to differentiate and shake up the traditional mined diamond jewellery category. AUKERA is Lisa’s third time being an entrepreneur. Lisa, as a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of category creation, is known for bringing differentiation by challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries. AUKERA is no different. The Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery brand, with distinctive designs and a commitment to craftsmanship, aims to create a new benchmark in the diamond jewellery category. By leveraging their expertise in retail design, brand strategy, and consumer insights, AUKERA aims to redefine the way people perceive and experience diamond jewellery. New category development is the fuel that keeps Lisa excited. Lisa played a pivotal role in establishing the platinum jewellery market in India while working for the Platinum Guild International (PGI) in the UK. Her efforts included market viability studies, government liaison work, and establishing robust manufacturing and retail networks. Lisa's contributions were instrumental in positioning Platinum Jewellery as a prominent player in the Indian market, despite the country's gold-obsessed culture.

Aniketh MJ

Vice President- Investments, IvyCap Ventures

Aniketh MJ is VP–Investments at IvyCap Ventures, bringing 15+ years of experience in venture capital, investment management, and strategy. He has worked with firms like Ideaspring Capital, Zomato, Bizongo, and Goldman Sachs. An Oxford MBA, he supports high-potential startups and fund growth at IvyCap. A national-level Ultimate Frisbee player, he’s also a heritage enthusiast featured by UNESCO for visiting 28 Indian World Heritage sites.

Ricky Vasandani

CEO of Solitario Lab-Grown Diamonds

Born in Africa, Ricky is a visionary entrepreneur who has lived across four continents of the world. Hailing from a family that has successfully scaled a legacy diamond jewellery business over decades, Ricky brings his acumen in the diamond jewellery business to the fore with Solitario Diamonds. His business ventures across in Sports and F&B domain are a major success story in Spain. Ricky drives the day-to-day business at Solitario Diamonds with unmatched expertise in Marketing & Operations.

Shalini Karna

Head of E-Commerce, Blossom Kochhar

Shalini Karna is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the e-commerce industry. She brings extensive expertise in IT hardware, apparel, and the beauty sector, seamlessly integrating technology and business strategy to drive growth and innovation.

Aakriti Suri

CEO, Gubb

Aakriti Suri is the CEO of Gubb, a leading grooming essentials brand. With a background in finance and data science from NYU Stern, she began her career as an investment banker on Wall Street before moving to India to build Gubb. Since joining, she has spearheaded the brand’s digital expansion, led a transformative rebrand, expanded distribution channels, launched international operations, and is now driving the brand’s retail growth. Under her leadership, the brand has scaled to ARR ~100cr (GMV). Passionate about the consumer space, Aakriti is on a mission to elevate beauty and personal care in India through innovation, design, and accessibility.

Aakriti Suri

CEO, Gubb

Abhinav Midha is the Vice President of Sales at GoKwik, bringing over 15 years of invaluable experience in business development, digital innovation, and profit & loss management. He is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his significant contributions to the digitization of retail experiences, offering consumers seamless and engaging shopping journeys. His expertise spans various strategic areas including omnichannel consumer engagement, conversion optimization, data analytics, marketing, product development, and system integrations.

Before joining GoKwik, Abhinav held noteworthy positions across the industry, including as head of partnerships at Magicpin and founder of Shopholix, proving his capabilities in scaling businesses and forming strategic partnerships. His role at Café Coffee Day further honed his skills in fast-paced retail environments. An advocate for growth and a pioneer in digital strategies, Abhinav is renowned for his role in driving innovation and fostering significant advancements within the eCommerce sphere.

Uttara Talapatra

Founder, Magical Blends

Uttara Talapatra, Founder, Magical Blends, is a certified skincare coach and has vast experience in the personal care segment, spanning almost two decades, across large MNCs like L’Oreal, Unilever, Raymond Consumer Care and the likes. Having worked across multiple domains like Brand building, Consumer and Category understanding and Strategy Development, she has had experiences across the full spectrum of business management and comes with a deep understanding of beauty and D2C business as a whole.

Uttara’s deep passion to provide consumers the freedom to choose what they actually need, to reach their skincare objectives is the cornerstone upon which Magical Blends was conceptualised. Being a living organ, skin is affected by both internal and external factors and is constantly changing. Uttara’s idea was very unique - to provide consumers the freedom and choice to use whatever products they needed, based on their personal preference, instead of being boxed into the usual brackets of dry skin, normal skin or oily skin. Her first-hand experience of designing & launching new products and crafting compelling communication, together with the ability to generate consumer insights is what has led to this unique brand being launched. It is a testament to her original thought that the concept has been patented as being the only one of its kind, in this crowded consumer market space, in less than 1 year from launch.

Sreelesh Pillai

Co-Founder and Co-CEO, ZEPIC

Sreelesh Pillai is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of ZEPIC, an AI-powered Customer Engagement and Marketing Automation platform. With over two decades of experience in software across category leading companies such as Zoho, Freshworks & LeadSquared, he specializes in building early-stage businesses into scalable growth machines.

He was the first go-to-market hire at Freshworks, where he led global demand generation for the company. In 2015, he moved to Australia to establish and lead the company’s regional subsidiary, playing a key role in its global expansion. He remained with Freshworks through its IPO, contributing to its growth from early traction to $400M+ in revenue. With 15+ years in SaaS across demand gen, sales, and customer success, he’s built and scaled go-to-market teams from a handful of customers to tens of thousands. More recently, he’s immersed himself in the world of Direct-to-Consumer brands — learning their growth levers and helping build the products, partnerships, and strategies that drive them forward.

Krishna Reddy

Co-Founder, Nourish You

Krishna Reddy is the Co-Founder of Nourish You, a Hyderabad-based smart food company. Nourish You retails Superfoods that are nutritious for consumers, sustainable for the planet and remunerative for farmers. Nourish You’s authentic and homegrown organic food products are widely popular across India. It’s the first Indian superfood company to retail homegrown, organic quinoa and chia and its value-added products like Mueslis, Oatmeals, trail mix, Edible Oils etc.

He is a graduate diploma in Technopreneurship and Innovation from the University of Washington and later he persuades his master's from Nanyang Technological University Singapore. Krishna started his career in Business Development in Singapore with a disruptive innovation company named Astoria Solutions and he later co-invested in Astoria Solutions along with Harvard Professor Clayton Christensen’s “Disruptive Innovation Fund”.

Sandeep Jangala

Founder and CEO, Yummy Bee

Sandeep Jangala, CEO and Founder of Yummy Bee, is a visionary leader whose entrepreneurial journey spans across diverse sectors—from sports and IT to fitness and now the food industry. A former Under-19 cricketer for South Zone, Sandeep's path reflects a commitment to resilience, innovation, and meaningful impact. In 2013, he founded Appoids Tech Solutions, an IT firm focused on delivering ERP solutions for the government sector. Under his leadership, the company achieved impressive growth, scaling to Rs.50 crore in revenue. However, driven by a deeper purpose, Sandeep pivoted during the pandemic to launch Transform Fitness, a platform that brought celebrity-level fitness training to a broader audience. Following its success and acquisition by the Apollo Group in 2021, Sandeep ventured into his most personal project yet: Yummy Bee, a health-conscious brand born out of his desire to create better food options for his daughter. Inspired by his passion for healthier living, Yummy Bee grew from a personal endeavor into a thriving business, valued at over Rs. 100 crores in just 18 months. This success followed Sandeep’s bold decision to leave a high-paying role at Apollo, where he enjoyed a Rs 2 crore annual package, to pursue his vision of providing guilt-free indulgence. Guided by the VLOGS philosophy—Vegan, Low-calorie, Organic, Gluten-free, and Sugar-free—Yummy Bee offers millet-based, sugar-free desserts and foods that resonate with health-conscious consumers.

Puneet Bajaj

Founder & CEO, Bene Kleed

Puneet Bajaj, the Founder & CEO of Bene Kleed, one of India’s fastest-growing streetwear brands. Known for his forward-thinking approach to fashion, he’s redefining Gen Z and Alpha style through unisex designs and culture-first collections. Puneet’s vision blends functionality with flair, making Bene Kleed a go-to name in high-casual fashion. His work reflects the spirit of a generation that values expression, comfort, and individuality.

Nitin Agarwal

Chief Business Officer, Nature4Nature

With over 14 years of experience across the digital ecosystem, Nitin Agarwal stands at the forefront of India’s evolving e-commerce and D2C landscape. As Chief Business Officer at Nature4Nature, Nitin is driving a conscious beauty revolution by scaling a homegrown Ayurvedic personal care brand rooted in ecoscience — where traditional wellness meets modern demand. At TransGanization, he leads digital transformation initiatives, incubates digital-first ventures, and consults brands on building scalable, sustainable digital businesses from 0 to 1 – and beyond.

Nitin has played key leadership roles in marquee brands like Swiss Military Apparels and Paytm, where he led high-growth categories and pioneered omnichannel strategies that shaped the customer journey for millions. An alum of NIFT Delhi, Nitin brings a deep-rooted understanding of design thinking and personalized consumer experiences, which continues to shape his approach to product strategy and innovation. He further sharpened his business acumen through an Executive Education in Strategy from IIM Lucknow, blending creative thinking with data-driven decision making. His expertise spans e-commerce, GTM planning, data analytics, digital P&L management, product-market fit, and team leadership. His strategic mindset, paired with hands-on execution, makes him a go-to expert for brands aiming to crack the code of digital profitability and scale.

Preetam Chhipa

Founder & CEO, Bagru Store

Preetam Chhipa is the visionary Founder and CEO of Bagru Store, a rapidly growing ethnic wear brand known for its authentic hand block-printed, cotton daily wear suit sets. With a deep-rooted passion for Indian textiles and craftsmanship, Preetam transformed his fascination with the textile industry into a thriving business that bridges tradition with contemporary fashion. After completing his B.Tech in Engineering in 2018, Preetam took a bold leap in 2022 by launching Bagru Store, driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and love for India’s artisanal heritage. In just a few years, his brand has become a trusted name in the ethnic wear segment, celebrated for its sustainable production, skilled artisanship, and aesthetic design.

Under his leadership, Bagru Store achieved a remarkable ₹30 Cr in revenue in FY 2024, including both B2C and B2B segments. With an ambitious and focused growth trajectory, Preetam is aiming to scale the brand to ₹40–50 Cr in FY 2025, while working towards building an ecosystem that supports rural artisans and promotes Indian craft globally.

Chidambaram PL

Director – Sales & Marketing, Allana Group

Chidambaram is a seasoned Sales & Marketing leader with over 22 years of experience in business development, key account management, and strategic market expansion. His expertise spans consumer engagement, high-impact business strategies, and driving sustainable growth across diverse industries. His academic foundation includes an MBA from Madurai Kamaraj University and advanced leadership training through a Leadership Program at IIM Kolkata, equipping him with a strong analytical and managerial acumen.

Currently contributing his expertise to the Allana Group, Chidambaram previously served as Associate Director – Modern Trade & Institutions at Abbott Nutrition International (since 2023). Before that, he spent two decades at Colgate Palmolive (India), where he held progressively senior roles, successfully driving market expansion and revenue growth. His strategic vision and leadership skills continue to propel organizations toward enhanced market positioning and long-term business success

Ashish Dhir

Senior Director - Consumer & Retail, 1Lattice

Ashish is Senior Director at 1Lattice and heads the Consumer and Retail vertical. 1Lattice™ is a technology-enabled decision support organization providing research and consulting services to clients across sectors. Ashish has 25+ years’ experience in management consulting, research, and business development. He has been speaking regularly for last 15 years at international and Indian conferences. He has been active as awards jury at multiple retail events and awards. He has published various industry reports and white papers and is widely quoted in leading newspapers, magazines and social media. Ashish has previously worked with Technopak, Gherzi, Cheil, Invista, Reliance. He had stint for 3 years as an entrepreneur as the founder of Wisedge Consulting. He holds an MBA from Lancaster University, UK and B. Tech in Textiles. Ashish is a keen cricket enthusiast. He practices Buddhist philosophy and does chanting regularly.

Abhiroop Medhekar

Co-founder and CEO, Velocity

Abhiroop Medhekar is the Co-founder and CEO of Velocity, shaping the future of banking and financial services for new-age businesses in India. A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, he is passionate about reimagining financial products to better serve modern businesses. Before founding Velocity, Abhiroop was a venture capitalist at Elevation Capital (formerly SAIF Partners), where he led investments in the fintech and financial services sectors. He also spent five years as a management consultant at McKinsey, advising financial services and technology companies across India and Southeast Asia. Velocity is his second startup. Prior to this, he co-founded Taskbob, a consumer internet startup, and scaled it to market leadership in Mumbai, driving key functions across product, operations, marketing, and fundraising. Abhiroop holds a degree in Computer Science Engineering from IIT Bombay, where he interned at Google and received a full-time offer. However, he chose to pursue an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad instead. Recognized for his contributions to the fintech ecosystem, he was featured in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024.

Shreyas Kumar

Founder and CEO, Arthaveda LLP (Inflection Point Ventures)

As CEO & Co-Founder at Arthaveda LLP, Shreyas helps businesses streamline their finance operations through digital CFO solutions and automation. He focuses on supporting SMEs as they scale and expand in India. Shreyas, also serves as the Director of Investor Relations at Physis Capital currently, a $50M venture capital fund investing in high-growth startups from Pre-Series A to Series B. He works closely with investors to strengthen relationships and bring strategic investment opportunities to the fund.

At at ZEISS Group, he was the Director & CFO for India & SAARC managing financial strategy and operations for one of the world’s leading optics and optoelectronics companies. His leadership contributed to the company’s regional growth and financial efficiency. Shreyas also served as Director of Internal Audit at Kärcher, where he focused on enhancing internal controls, risk management, and global financial processes. His expertise helped drive operational improvements for the global leader in cleaning technology.

Divya Anand

Director, Stride Ventures

Divya comes with 13 years of experience across different domains in the financial sector. At Stride Ventures, she is a part of the Investments team. She comes with strong expertise in Origination and Underwriting of start-ups. Prior to Stride, she was associated with Northern Arc Capital. She also has a background in Equity Research having looked at listed entities during her stint at HSBC and CRISIL. Divya has also worked on devising and implementing financial products for low-income households while at Centre for Innovative Financial Design. She did her Engineering from Anna University (Chennai) and her MBA from Institute for Financial Management and Research, IFMR (Chennai).

Saurabh Gupta

Co-Founder, Verismart

I am a passionate and experienced technocrat, on a mission to democratize data intelligence and protect user privacy with technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence. As the Co-Founder and CEO of VeriSmart Ai, I lead the vision, product architecture, technical development, and strategic decision making of a global platform that enables data access management and automation for various industries and institutions in a decentralized framework. Recognised by many international platforms like Forbes-200 Global scalable Company, BVBA Bank, Top 3 IAAS company by WEF and UNDP for Financial Inclusion, ICICI Trinity, Visa global Partners and many more With over 11 years of entrepreneurial journey, I have co-founded and exited two successful ventures in auto tech and e-commerce domains, where I demonstrated my skills in Business development, Product Development, , Growth Hacking, Innovation, Process Mapping, and become a Subject matter expert in Ai & Blockchain over the period of 14 years. In year 2024 i have been awarded as Serial Entrepreneur of year by Economics Times. Also made it to list of 35U35 Entrepreneur. We have also been recognized as one of the top 3 global fintech startups by Entrepreneur.com and Fintech Galaxy, and one of the top 10 AI personalities by Bloomberg. I am a frequent speaker, angel investor, and advisor for startups and organizations in the blockchain and data space.

Adithya Bharadwaj

Vice President, Anicut Capital LLP

Adithya comes with over 14 years of experience in venture investing and consulting. As part of Anicut's growth equity team, he has full fund lifecycle experience including sourcing, investing, portfolio management and exit. Adithya has been on the Board of leading healthcare and tech services companies. Adithya is a Chartered Accountant and rank-holder Management Accountant with a degree in commerce from the University of Madras.

Sharmila Senthilraja

Vice President and Industry Platform Leader - Consumer Products and Retail – India, Capgemini

Sharmila Senthilraja is the Industry Platform Leader for Consumer Products and Retails at Capgemini in India. In her current role, she is responsible for spearheading Capgemini's industry capabilities and fostering innovation. She formulates go-to-market strategies, drives revenue growth, manages client relationships, collaborates with partners, and nurtures industry talent. She is also a pivotal member of the Capgemini CPR Industry Council, where her responsibilities encompass driving the global strategy, developing offerings and enabling global market and business units within Capgemini.

Sharmila is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of multifaceted experience in both business and technology roles. She has held key positions at renowned companies such as SAP, IBM, Future Group, KSA Technopak and RPG Group.

Over the years, she has managed P&L responsibilities and played strategic planning roles in the industry. In the realm of IT, Sharmila has a track record of establishing Domain Centers of Excellence, contributing to solution and offerings creation, scaling digital practices, and advancing the innovation agenda. She has successfully delivered multiple initiatives in the digital and analytics space for clients worldwide, bringing together diverse global teams to thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. In the Industry, Sharmila comes with a rich Grocery & Mass Merchandising background, having Merchandising, Marketing and Operational experiences in setting up and scaling some of the large formats in India and is also a member of the Retailors Association of India and has participated in various workshops, seminars and industry forums.

Prabhdeep Singh

Founder and CEO, RED Health

Prabhdeep Singh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RED Health, India’s pioneering company dedicated to revolutionizing medical emergency response services. At the company’s helm, Prabhdeep leads comprehensively, overseeing strategic vision, financial and operational management, risk assessment, innovation initiatives, and stakeholder relations. His leadership style combines forward-thinking strategies with practical implementation, driving the company toward its goal of becoming the world’s best medical response organization. Prabhdeep’s educational background forms the foundation of his expertise in healthcare innovation. He holds dual MBA degrees from INSEAD (2015-2016) and another specializing in B.Pharma JD, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (2006-2011). The idea for RED.Health was born during Prabhdeep’s time at INSEAD, where he and his peers identified a critical gap in India’s healthcare ecosystem. This realization led to extensive market research and the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for managing ambulance operations, culminating in the official establishment of RED Health in 2016.

With a career spanning over a decade in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, Prabhdeep brings a wealth of experience to his role. He participated in the MAN Impact Accelerator program 2018, showcasing his commitment to social entrepreneurship. Earlier, he was part of the Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Leadership Program from May 2011 to July 2015 and served as an Executive Assistant to Glenmark’s Chairman & MD in 2010. His career began with a technical internship at Ranbaxy in 2007, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. His dedication to continuous learning and personal growth is reflected in his recognition by Forbes as one of the “30 under 30 Asia” in 2018 and as one of the “35 under 35” in the same year by Entrepreneur magazine. Prabhdeep aspires to steer RED Health towards more advanced, customer-centric solutions. His vision includes implementing auto-dispatch systems triggered by customer needs, aiming to streamline decision-making processes and enhance response times. This approach highlights his commitment to continually improving healthcare services through tech innovation. Beyond his professional achievements, Prabhdeep is an active sportsman, an avid reader, and a tireless traveller.

Dhananjay Yadav

Co-Founder and CEO, Neosapien

Dhananjay Yadav brought 14 years of global expertise to the table. Having scaled startups like Razorpay and HomeLane, and worked with international giants like Zalando, Dhananjay’s strategic leadership in product marketing and growth was the perfect complement to Aryan's tech vision. His experience in scaling businesses across India, the US, and EMEA allowed NeoSapien to capture markets quickly, turning an innovative idea into a thriving reality. The founders’ moment of validation came on the Shark Tank India stage, where Aryan and Dhananjay presented their vision to some of the most discerning investors in the country. Their AI-powered neckwear secured ₹80 lakhs. This funding has been instrumental in accelerating production, refining research, and fostering a growing community of enthusiastic early adopters.

Dhruv Aggarwal

Partner, Bain & Company

With more than a decade of consulting experience, Dhruv has worked extensively with consumer and retail firms seeking to drive strategy development and execution, customer-focused transformations, and business unit turnarounds. Dhruv works on a range of topics, including full potential growth strategy and consumer tech in the food and beverage, personal care, e-commerce, apparel, and durable goods sectors. In addition, he has led diligence efforts and advised clients in multiple geographies across the US, UK, Germany, and India. He also leads our FRWD practice in India, which aims to bridge the gap between brand, marketing, strategy, and execution by designing and deploying real-life tests and implementing best practices that capture immediate value.

Arvind Dadu

Managing Director, Anand Sweets

Arvind Dadu, a visionary leader, has been instrumental in shaping Anand Sweets into a market leader in premium Indian confectionery. With a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from the University of Sheffield, UK, he combines global insights with deep-rooted Indian traditions. Joining the family business in 2001, Arvind spearheaded Anand’s transformation from a two-store operation into a household name. He revolutionized the mithai market in Bangalore, pioneering corporate gifting and introducing innovative concepts such as Anand Foods and Badamika. His strategic vision led to Anand’s expansion into airport retail, cloud kitchens, and e-commerce, ensuring a strong omnichannel presence. Under his leadership, Anand has seen exponential growth, with a 30% YoY increase in 2022. He has driven product diversification, introducing Turkish-inspired baklava, luxe gifting options, and a growing range of healthy sweets. With a keen focus on R&D, he continues to innovate for modern palates while preserving heritage flavors. Looking ahead, Arvind is steering Anand towards nationwide and global expansion, with new airport outlets, wedding gifting solutions, and an export presence across Qatar, Singapore, and North America. His commitment to quality, authenticity, and customer experience makes Anand Sweets a brand synonymous with indulgence and tradition.

Griffith David

Founder & CEO, Habanero Foods

A globalist with experience in starting up businesses, managing teams, and scaling businesses in Asia, Europe, and North America. Currently engaged in the F&B business in India. Owner of Habanero Foods- A Mexican restaurant chain and producer of high-quality sauces, wraps and condiments that retail across over 2000 stores in India and the Middle East and on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Big Basket, Flipkart, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto and www.habanero.in. Owner of Bread Basket Pvt Ltd, operator of Subway franchise stores across southern India including the highest-selling unit worldwide at the Bangalore International Airport. A member of the Subway India marketing board for 8 years.

Aniket Anil Shukla

Vice President - Business & Monetization, Magicpin

Aniket is a seasoned business leader with over 15 years of experience spanning consumer internet, retail tech, and semiconductors. Currently serving as the Vice President of Business & Monetization at Magicpin, he has played a pivotal role in building and scaling the platform’s revenue engine, leading national brand partnerships and ground-level merchant acquisition across India. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and a former automotive lead at Texas Instruments, Aniket brings a unique blend of P&L ownership, enterprise sales, and GTM strategy across both traditional and tech-first sectors. Passionate about building high-performance teams and solving complex distribution problems, he thrives at the intersection of technology, sales, and customer insight.

Hitesh Ruparelia

Co Founder and Director, Sweet Dreams

Started the brand with his brother Utpal to introduce a sleepwear shelf in the consumer’s wardrobe. A product driven leader, Hitesh has steered Sweet Dreams through every major retail evolution— B2B trade, shop in shops, leading online marketplaces, and, most recently, claiming category leadership in D2C via exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) and the company’s own e commerce site—firmly establishing the brand nationwide.

Jayagopal Theranikal

Chief Evangelist, Zakya

Jayagopal Theranikal leads Zakya’s global outreach, bringing his deep expertise in Retail technology to introduce businesses to a modern, cloud-based POS system.

With over 32 years of diverse experience in IT, encompassing both technical and managerial roles, Jay has held positions as CTO/CEO in various organizations. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in conceiving and implementing cloud-based products tailored specifically for the retail industry. His extensive expertise spans more than two decades in India and over a decade in the USA. Throughout his career, Jay has successfully developed and implemented solutions that leverage cloud technology, catering to the retail sector. These solutions have not only been effectively deployed in India and the USA but have also reached various other countries, facilitating businesses in optimizing their operations and embracing digital transformation.

Jay's proficiency extends to developing retail billing and inventory solutions for single and multiple locations, as well as overseeing the successful execution of projects for retail and restaurant chains. He is passionate about enabling retailers to thrive in an evolving market.

Shaily Mehrotra

MD and CEO, Fixderma

A Shark on Shark Tank India and the Founder of Fixderma & FCL, built on the belief that science should lead, not trends. Over the last 15+ years, a small idea has evolved into a global dermatology-led skincare ecosystem, with 130+ science-backed formulations, the trust of 15,000+ dermatologists, a presence across 40+ countries, 150% year-on-year D2C growth, and fully in-house manufacturing to ensure complete quality control. With an innovation-first approach, the brands offer patented formulations such as Nigrifix® and AHA Lightning Gel, alongside a strong pipeline in advanced skincare. Beyond business, through the Fix My Life Foundation, efforts also support rural education and basic healthcare, reflecting the belief that impact should scale alongside growth. Recognised as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at the MSME Excellence Awards 2022 and as an ET Inspiring Woman Leader in 2022, the founder believes that skincare should solve, not just sell, and that long-term trust will always outweigh short-term trends. Here to share real insights on skincare, science, and building brands that last.

Hanisha Ghandhi

Executive Director, Archies

Hanisha Gandhi is the Executive Director of Archies, becoming the first woman—and the first outsider—to hold this position in the company’s 46-year history. Her appointment marks a significant milestone, reflecting the brand’s commitment to blending its longstanding legacy with a renewed vision for growth, innovation, and reinvention. Coming from a business family, Hanisha has built a professional journey defined by versatility, leadership, and a passion for creating meaningful impact. She began her career with IBM, gaining exposure to global business practices and corporate strategy, and later contributed to TERI, a leading NGO focused on sustainability and environmental initiatives. These experiences provided her with a unique perspective that combines corporate discipline with social consciousness. Hanisha’s academic background includes schooling at GTB 3rd Centenary Public School, a Bachelor of Arts in English (Honours) from Delhi University, and a diploma in Marketing and Advertising from the National Institute of Advertising (NIA). Her education, paired with her early professional experiences, equipped her with the skills to navigate both creative and operational aspects of business.

Pankaj Rana

CEO, Hisense

Mr. Pankaj Rana is the Chief Executive Officer at Hisense Group India. A seasoned and focused business leader, Mr. Rana brings over 20 years of rich experience in driving growth, innovation, and strategic transformation across industries like consumer electronics including Smartphones, IoT/Mobility, TV and e-commerce. As CEO, he is responsible for leading Hisense India’s strategic direction, accelerating business expansion, strengthening brand presence, and building deeper connections with Indian consumers. Mr. Rana has consistently identified high-potential business opportunities and translated complex challenges into scalable solutions by aligning people, processes, and technology. He has built multi-million-dollar business ecosystems across diverse geographies including India, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. A strategic thinker with a growth mindset, Mr. Rana is apt at crafting and executing innovative go-to-market strategies, launching new products, and expanding into emerging markets. He is also recognized for his collaborative leadership style and ability to build high-performance, entrepreneurial teams that drive sustainable results. Before joining Hisense India, Mr. Rana held leadership roles at global brands such as Panasonic, LG, BenQ, and Reliance Retail.

Akhil Jain

CEO, Madame

A spirited fashion aficionado and an avid traveler, Akhil Duggar Jain, represents the 4th generation in one of the most respected family-run business houses based out of Ludhiana known for decades in the hosiery and retail industry. A qualified fashion designer from the prestigious NIFT, New Delhi, Jain combines over 8 years of designing, marketing, and business development experience. He is the brainchild behind the branding and positioning of Madame both nationally and internationally. As also the company’s Creative Director- he is responsible for deploying the company’s strategic vision and building the Madame brand name.

Arpit Gupta

Group Investor, Kapoor Family Office

I’m Arpit Gupta, working with Kapoor Family Office and actively involved across the family office, venture capital, and investment ecosystem. My work involves engaging with 30+ family offices across India and Europe, supporting them on investment opportunities, strategic relationships, and access to the broader venture capital ecosystem. I also work closely with VC funds, founders, investors, and senior operators to facilitate investments, strategic partnerships, and high-value introductions. My focus is at the intersection of capital, entrepreneurship, and strategic networks — connecting the right investors, founders, and opportunities to create meaningful long-term relationships.

Shreyans Surana

Chairman & Managing Director, Baazar Style Retail Limited

Since co-founding Bazaar Style Retail Limited in 2013, I've had the privilege of overseeing the reshaping of our business model, focusing on areas such as Tax, Corporate Finance, regulatory frameworks, Retail, Business Analysis, and Financial Analysis. My belief in fostering inclusivity in fashion has been a positive force in creating cohesive and accessible trends for our diverse consumer base. With a foundation in accounting and finance from St. Xavier's College and experience as a seasoned Chartered Accountant, I've been fortunate to contribute at every stage of shaping the transition to Bazaar Style Private Limited, as well as overseeing the establishment of 165 stores for the brand,with the esteemed management core committee members. Leading a strategic expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities across 9 states, particularly in the Northeastern and Eastern regions of India, I've had the opportunity to introduce unique pricing strategies and carefully curated brand selections. Throughout this journey, my commitment to innovation and sustainability has been driven by a humble desire to contribute positively to the industry, shaping a future defined by creativity and resilience.

Kashika Malhotra

Director, Head of Business Development, Brandman Retail

Kashika Malhotra, Director, Head of Business Development, Brandman Retail - I am a business development leader and social entrepreneur passionate about building brands with purpose and creating opportunities that empower communities. Currently, I head Business Development and Partner Brands at Brandman Retail Ltd., where I identify growth opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and help bring global lifestyle and performance brands. Beyond retail, I’m deeply committed to women’s wellness and sustainable fashion. I founded Yoginii, a women’s wellness initiative, and Saheli: The Yoginii Circle, a community platform for honest conversations around health, hormones, mental wellbeing, and periods—because wellness should feel like home, not a luxury. Earlier, I founded RAMP and TrustME to promote socially responsible fashion and sustainability.

Rahul Gupta

Director, SocksXpress

Rahul Gupta is an entrepreneur, investor, and Director at SocksXpress!, bringing pop culture and self-expression to everyday fashion. Since 2013, he has been building the brand’s presence in the licensed merchandise space, creating sock collections inspired by globally recognised names such as Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros, Cartoon Network, and WWF India. His work reflects a vision of turning everyday essentials into expressive fashion statements that connect with consumers through iconic characters and creative storytelling.

Rishabh Sethia

Director, MARS Cosmetics

Building MARS Cosmetics (www.marscosmetics.in, www.instagram.com/reachedmars) with a vision to make makeup products accessible for everyone. Also, expanding organisations offering in different subdomains of beauty and personal care.

Rimjhim Deka Kakati

CEO and Co-Founder, Little Box

Hi, I’m Rimjim. I create fashion your friends screenshot and ask 'Where from?’ Follow me for the real hits & misses of building Littlebox - one of India’s fastest-growing fashion brands built straight out of the Northeast. I was born in a small valley in Arunachal Pradesh - the kind of place where you could count the families on one hand and crossing a road in Guwahati felt like an adventure. Entrepreneurship was never part of the plan. My dad worked for the government. Stability was the dream, not startups. But somewhere between an engineering entrance failure and a mass communication degree in Punjab, I found my love for creating things that looked and felt beautiful, before I even knew that was called “fashion.” My first brush with business was accidental. A blog about a leather jacket led me to co-found my first company in 2013- Street Style Store (SSS) - at 21. What started with shoe curations in Karol Bagh turned into a 10-year journey - scaling a bootstrapped fashion brand to ₹80+ Cr in annual revenue and learning everything from product to logistics to manufacturing. But sometimes, growth comes with its own lessons. I learned that success can become your comfort zone, and outgrowing it takes more courage than building it. So, after a decade, I decided to start again, this time, with more clarity and courage.

Aayush Jindal

Director, Asian Footwear

After completing my B.Tech from IIT, Delhi, I started working at Bain and Co. In my ~2 years at Bain, I got an opportunity to gain experience across multiple industry sectors including Infrastructure, Industrial Goods, Pharmaceuticals, IT and Online Retail. This led to the foundation of Aermed, an online pharmacy - providing easy access to simple, convenient and affordable health care services to chronic patients. It went on to become the 3rd largest e-pharmacy in Delhi-NCR.
In June, 2017 I came back to where I always belonged. I joined Asian Footwears to continue the legacy, started by my father Mr Rajinder Jindal, 25 years ago in New Delhi. What started with introducing a school shoe range, today caters to the footwear needs of every family member. Reaching Indian consumers through a geographical footprint of over 250 distributors and a significant online presence, today Asian spreads to 12 manufacturing sites over Northern India with a capacity of 10 Lakh pairs a month.

Aayush Jindal

Director, Asian Footwear

After completing my B.Tech from IIT, Delhi, I started working at Bain and Co. In my ~2 years at Bain, I got an opportunity to gain experience across multiple industry sectors including Infrastructure, Industrial Goods, Pharmaceuticals, IT and Online Retail. This led to the foundation of Aermed, an online pharmacy - providing easy access to simple, convenient and affordable health care services to chronic patients. It went on to become the 3rd largest e-pharmacy in Delhi-NCR.
In June, 2017 I came back to where I always belonged. I joined Asian Footwears to continue the legacy, started by my father Mr Rajinder Jindal, 25 years ago in New Delhi. What started with introducing a school shoe range, today caters to the footwear needs of every family member. Reaching Indian consumers through a geographical footprint of over 250 distributors and a significant online presence, today Asian spreads to 12 manufacturing sites over Northern India with a capacity of 10 Lakh pairs a month.

Rahul Shanker

Group CEO, Quest Retail

Been in CEO/MD roles since 2015, at the age of 40; turned around businesses, with laser sharp focus on driving profitability while building revenue momentum. Thrive in challenging & chaotic business situations. Hard core Sales & Marketing proficiency backed by extensive experience across leading MNCs like PepsiCo, Wrigley-Mars, Philips & Avon, with critical leadership roles, enroute to becoming CEO/Managing Director.
Have had the privilege of expanding an Indian company into Europe. Exposure to varied consumer categories (packaged food & beverages, confectionery, Lighting, cosmetics, Personal care, Wellness, Home care, etc).
Unique blend of experience: Sales Vs Marketing; Multi-National Vs Indian companies; Small Vs Large companies; Profitable Vs Loss-making companies.
Worked on both established & start-up brands & proved to be a turnaround specialist in more roles than one. Have been a specialist in setting up the right cost structures & championed transformational leaps in Go-To-Market & business models.
Created exponential trajectory on brands & businesses, on the back of some defining marketing execution involving celebrities, aggressive new product launches, mega entertainment/sports properties, aggressive advertising communication, etc.
PepsiCo, Wrigley-Mars’ & Avon's career development & leadership models have helped to build strong business & people-based fundamentals. Have had a winning reputation with internal stakleholders & agency partners/suppliers.

Ricky Vasandani

CEO, Solitario Diamonds

+10 years of solid experience in international business development, negotiation and sales in jewellery, I’m extremely passionate about delivering extraordinary service and experiences to my customers, building long-lasting relationships with practically all of them. Having lived in 5 different countries in 4 different continents has allowed me develop skills in international management, but most importantly, has helped me be open-minded, understanding and extremely respectful with other cultures, opinions and ways of understanding business & life. When it comes to jewellery, to me it goes way beyond selling high-quality products, it’s about the experience delivered. And I’ve realized that helping people feel special is what feeds me and motivates me on a daily basis. We all deserve to sparkle! This is the spirit we launched Satguru Sparkles with and what has allowed us to grow globally and keep sparkling.

Saurav Kothari

Co-Founder, Kisah Apparels

Currently building Kisah — a new-age ethnicwear brand for the modern Indian man. We're here to redefine traditional wear with bold design, cultural storytelling, and a deep focus on data + technology. Kisah is proudly modern, rooted in heritage, and unapologetically expressive — built for a generation that values both individuality and identity. We’re growing rapidly across D2C, global markets, and offline retail, with 10+ stores in the pipeline and a strong digital-first approach driving our product, marketing, and customer experience. Before Kisah, I was part of the founding team at Bajaj Mall, where I led the 0 to 1 journey by building and scaling the seller ecosystem, solving operations and logistics at scale, and launching key seller-facing products. In the 1 to 10 phase, I led user growth, funnel optimization, and product strategy — helping the platform become the core of the Bajaj Finserv App and scale to millions of users.

Kashish Paryani

COO & Partner, Superkicks

Sizing project at FILA
•Analysing the sizing ratio of whole stock booking for men,women and kids(pan India)
•Doing internal and external research if the booking was correct acording to the sell thru and other dynamics. Superkicks- Premium sneaker destination of India.I've been with Superkicks since the initiation stage.
Worked on various sneaker events happened at store.Worked on new concepts and advertising campaigns.

Anupam Bansal

Executive Director, Liberty Shoes Ltd

Sizing project at FILA
•Analysing the sizing ratio of whole stock booking for men,women and kids(pan India)
•Doing internal and external research if the booking was correct acording to the sell thru and other dynamics. Superkicks- Premium sneaker destination of India.I've been with Superkicks since the initiation stage.
Worked on various sneaker events happened at store.Worked on new concepts and advertising campaigns.

Udit L

Founder, Cuminco

Udit Lekhi is Co-founder of Cumin Co., where he leads product development, manufacturing, operations and finance. He co-founded the company with Niharika Joshi after finding flakes of non-stick coating on their daughter’s plate—a moment that became the question the business was built on. He brings fifteen years across strategy and consumer growth. At Zomato, as Head of Growth and Strategic Partnerships, he led Zomato Gold across ten countries, scaling it 2.5 times in a year. At Mastercard he was a Director and Senior Managing Consultant, leading growth and digital transformation programmes internationally. His earlier career spans Deloitte, KPMG, EY-Parthenon and Snapdeal. He holds an MBA from the Indian School of Business.

Vineet Jain

COO- Fashion and Retail, Reliance Retail

A passionate retailer. Obsessed with the customer. Driven by scale, transformation and execution. With three decades of experience across organized retail, I have had the privilege of building, scaling and transforming some of India’s most recognized retail businesses. My leadership journey has been defined by one constant — creating businesses that win with customers and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
I currently serve as Chief Operating Officer – Fashion & Lifestyle Business at Reliance Retail, leading operations across the Fashion & Lifestyle portfolio. My mandate spans operational excellence, customer experience, omnichannel integration, business development, network expansion, asset productivity and building the next phase of sustainable and profitable growth. Prior to Reliance Retail, I was Chief Operating Officer at V-Mart Retail, where I led one of the most significant transformation journeys in the company’s history — scaling the business manifold, expanding its national footprint, strengthening profitability and driving large-scale customer, operational and digital transformation. Earlier, I spent 17+ years with Future Group, culminating as CEO – North India. I played a key role in building and scaling iconic formats including Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar and FBB, co-created Big Bazaar GEN NXT, and led the turnaround of businesses including Easyday and Big Apple. Earlier in my career, I was part of the founding leadership team at Vishal Retail (now Vishal Mega Mart), contributing to the creation of one of India’s pioneering organized retail businesses. I began my career across textiles and financial services, giving me a strong foundation in both business operations and finance.

Bhaskar Ramesh

Business Head, JioHotstar

For over two decades, I have operated at the intersection of consumers, digital platforms, and large-scale monetization, building the ecosystems that define how modern India consumes content and transacts online.
Today, as Business Head – Entertainment [Digital] Revenue & Monetization at JioStar, I lead the commercial architecture for India's #1 OTT - JioHotstar Entertainment, translating massive viewer attention across India's living rooms into full-funnel business outcomes for brands through advanced AdTech, Connected TV (CTV) innovation, and content-commerce integration. Prior to JioStar, I spent 13+ years as part of Google India’s leadership team, where I hyper-scaled two multi-billion-dollar business units:
- YouTube India : Served as a primary monetization architect and Head of YouTube & Brand Advertising, shaping Video monetization at a critical inflection point as India became a Video First country. It was a privilege to have scaled YouTube to $1B business.
- Omnichannel & Enterprise Digitization: Built the Omnichannel Business from the ground up, advising CXOs across CPG, Technology, Retail, Auto, and BFSI on digital and AI transformation, doubling Google’s Ads share-of-wallet and scaling it into a $1B+ franchise.
My foundation blends classic brand building (Marico, Godrej) with digital platform engineering. Beyond revenue and P&L ownership, I am an active angel investor, mentor in the Indian startup ecosystem, and keynote speaker on AI & digital transformation (FICCI, CII, IGF, UNDP).
Global Recognition: Honored with the "Highly Commended" Post Graduate Leadership Award at the 2026 AMBA & BGA Global Excellence Awards (London), selected across premier business schools from 70+ nations representing my alma mater SPJIMR.

Sambit Dash

Partner, RPSG Capital Ventures

Sambit Dash is a consumer brand builder and investor with 15+ years of experience in global and Indian brands. Currently, he is a Partner at RPSG Capital Ventures, an early-stage consumer VC fund, where he backs and scales emerging brands. Before that, he led marketing at Honasa Consumer (Mamaearth, The DermaCo), Nestlé, and Yum! Brands’ Taco Bell, giving him first-hand insight into how franchised and multi-outlet brands grow. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Sambit brings an operator’s and investor’s view to the jury, looking at brand strength, consumer relevance, and scalable growth.

Mr. Ankur Mittal,Co Founder

Inflection Point Ventures

Ankur Mittal a co-founder of Inflection Point Ventures. He is a finance expert and has over 20 years of experience, globally. He is a CA and holds an MBA from Georgetown University. He has worked with Fortune 50 companies, Citi and GE Capital, specializing in expansion, and acquisition and has advised Fortune 500 companies across various sectors and industries at Credit Suisse. He has also managed and played a vital role in the expansion of operations in TTS across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Ankur is an active investor himself and has invested in 80+ startups with over 20 successful exits. for panel: The Economics of expansion - Funding Multi-unit and Multi-brand Growth

Vedant B. Hegde

Founder & CEO, Camweara

Vedant B. Hegde is the founder of Camweara, a leading AR startup transforming how people shop online. Since 2017, he has been on a mission to bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping through AI-powered virtual try-on and intelligent sizing solutions. Today, Camweara helps more than 200 shoppers, at any given moment, experience products virtually—from Tokyo to Melbourne to California. Vedant believes the era of AR-powered shopping has arrived, within the next five years, virtual try-on will become an essential part of the shopping experience for every shopper and every retailer.

Mr. Naresh Sharma

CEO, IRHPL Group of Companies

The Rise of the Strategic Operator How India’s Franchise Partners Are Building Retail Enterprises Mr. Naresh Sharma is a seasoned retail and business leader with over 30 years of experience across retail, aviation and consumer products. He has held leadership roles at organisations including Landmark Retail, Reliance Retail, Mumbai Airport, Adani One Super App and United Spirits. At IRHPL, he leads the company's growth across travel retail and hospitality.