The Institute of Directors (IOD), India – Bengaluru Region successfully organized the Regional Business Forum on “Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth: The Board's Role in Innovation, Finance, and Workplace Transformation” on March 8, 2025, at Chancery Pavilion, Bengaluru. With over 100 participants in attendance, the forum brought together distinguished speakers, senior officials, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for driving SME growth through governance, financial resilience, and innovation.

The event featured esteemed dignitaries, including the Guest of Honour, Mr. Nitesh K. Patil, IAS, Director- Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Industries and Commerce; Keynote Speaker, Dr. S. Jothi Neeraja, MD and CEO, People Tree Group of Hospitals; Special Address Speaker, Ms. Uma Reddy, Sr. Vice President, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, amongst others.

In honour of International Women's Day and in celebration of inclusivity, excellence, and the pivotal role of women, the forum highlighted inspiring journeys and impactful contributions of women leaders from diverse industries. The discussions underscored the importance of boardroom leadership in driving sustainable business practices, fostering innovation, and enhancing financial strategies for SMEs across Karnataka.

Lighting of the Lamp Ceremony

The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolizing knowledge, and the pursuit of excellence in corporate governance.

PLENARY SESSION I : Inaugural Session

The 'Welcome Address' was delivered by:

Mr. D. V. Prasad, IAS (Retd.)
Honorary Chairman - Institute of Directors- Bengaluru Region
Former Additional Chief Secretary, Karnataka & Former CMD, Food Corporation of India

Mr. Prasad in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the event sponsors for their support and acknowledged the Institute of Directors' commitment to advancing corporate governance and leadership excellence. Mr. Prasad emphasized Bengaluru's emergence as a dynamic hub for leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, underscoring the critical role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in capital formation, job creation, and economic resilience. He highlighted how SMEs serve as the backbone of India's economy, contributing significantly to national growth and aligning with key government initiatives aimed at fostering their development. By reinforcing the importance of robust governance frameworks, financial resilience, and strategic innovation, he set the tone for the day's discussions, laying the foundation for insightful deliberations on empowering SMEs for sustainable expansion in an evolving economic landscape.

The 'Keynote Address' was delivered by:

Dr. S. Jothi Neeraja
MD & CEO - People Tree Group of Hospitals

Dr. Neeraja, in her keynote address, shared her inspiring journey from a career in gynaecology to hospital leadership, reflecting on her 30-year tenure in the healthcare sector. She mentioned about the challenges she faced and the resilience required to navigate the evolving industry. Through her experiences, she highlighted the importance of vision, perseverance, and teamwork in establishing a successful healthcare network that prioritizes patient care and operational excellence. Her insights extended beyond healthcare, offering valuable lessons for leaders across industries. She emphasized the need for adaptive leadership, strategic decision making, and collaborative innovation to overcome challenges and drive sustainable growth. Encouraging professionals to embrace obstacles as learning opportunities, she reinforced the significance of ethical governance and a strong leadership mindset in shaping resilient and future-ready organizations.

The 'Special Address' was delivered by:

Ms. Uma Reddy
Senior Vice President - Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI)

Ms. Uma Reddy in her special address, underscored the transformative impact of women in leadership and the pivotal role of AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka) in empowering women entrepreneurs. She emphasized the significance of diversity in corporate boards, highlighting how inclusive leadership fosters innovation and sustainable growth. Additionally, she stressed the importance of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) certifications in promoting responsible business practices. She also highlighted the substantial economic contributions of India's 15 million women entrepreneurs, reinforcing the need for continued support, policy interventions, and industry-wide initiatives to enhance their participation in the national and global economy.

The 'Guest of Honor Address' was delivered by:

Mr. Nitesh K. Patil, IAS
Director - Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Department of Industries and Commerce

Mr. Patil emphasized on the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the second-largest contributors to India's economy after agriculture. He highlighted their rapid expansion, the evolving policy landscape, and various governmentled SME programs across Karnataka aimed at fostering growth and sustainability. He also outlined key financial support schemes designed to facilitate SME development, including 50% reimbursement of IPO listing costs, along with other strategic initiatives to enhance access to funding and drive business expansion.

PLENARY SESSION II : Building Future-Ready MSME's: Strategies for Growth & Resilience

The Session had the following distinguished speakers:

1. Ms. Yeshasvini Ramaswamy
Founder & CEO - Culturelytics

2. Mr. Debasish Pradhan
Assistant General Manager - Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

3. Mr. Sidhartha Mehra
Strategic Advisor / Startup Mentor

4. Ms. Bindu Sastry
Founder & Managing Director - Mauverick

5. Mr. Suresha Iyer
President - JMR Infotech

Ms. Ramaswamy spoke on the theme, “Building Future-Ready MSMEs: Strategies for Growth & Resilience”, emphasizing the imperative for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt to evolving regulatory frameworks, embrace digital transformation, and cultivate inclusive workplace environments. She underscored the profound impact of organizational culture on driving productivity and innovation, particularly in the context of a rapidly changing workforce with the entry of Gen Z professionals. Additionally, she highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and diverse leadership in enhancing business competitiveness and long-term resilience. By leveraging these strategic enablers, she noted, MSMEs can position themselves for sustained growth in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven global economy.

Mr. Pradhan spoke on the theme "Innovative Financial Solutions for MSMEs," addressing the critical financial challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and underscored the importance of adequate capital infusion to drive sustainable growth and expansion. He highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to enhance financial accessibility for MSMEs, including the EXPRESS Initiative, which facilitates fast-tracked credit approvals, and the SPEED Scheme, designed to provide timely financial support to enterprises. Additionally, he elaborated on the role of digitalization in streamlining financial processes, the significance of subsidy programs, and the impact of credit guarantee schemes in mitigating risks and improving MSMEs' access to funding. By leveraging these tailored financial solutions, he emphasized, MSMEs can overcome capital constraints, strengthen their operational capabilities, and accelerate their contribution to the broader economic ecosystem.

Mr. Mehra spoke on the theme "Building Resilient SME Workplaces through Strategic Governance," emphasizing the crucial role of leadership, organizational culture, and governance in fostering the resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He highlighted the importance of early-stage cultural alignment, stressing that a well-defined organizational ethos enhances employee engagement, productivity, and adaptability in the face of evolving business challenges. He also underscored the need for structured decision-making processes to enable SMEs to navigate uncertainties effectively while maintaining operational stability. Furthermore, he encouraged enterprises to leverage technology, mentorship, and continuous learning as strategic tools to drive long-term success and sustainability. By adopting robust governance frameworks and fostering a culture of innovation and agility, he noted, SMEs can enhance their competitive edge and build workplaces that are both resilient and future-ready.

Ms. Sastry spoke on the theme, “Entrepreneurial Vision, Board Governance & Emerging Technologies,” outlining the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and governance in business strategy, emphasizing its transformative impact on automation, risk management, and operational efficiency. She elaborated on how AI-driven technologies are reshaping decision-making processes, enhancing predictive analytics, and optimizing resource allocation to drive business sustainability. However, she also underscored the ethical considerations associated with AI adoption, particularly concerning data privacy, transparency, and accountability. Highlighting the importance of cybersecurity frameworks, she stressed the need for robust governance mechanisms to safeguard businesses from potential risks associated with AI deployment. Additionally, she emphasized the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in ensuring responsible AI adoption, advocating for policies that promote fairness, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability in an increasingly technology-driven corporate landscape.

Mr. Iyer spoke on the theme, “The Role of Directors in Compliance & Fraud Prevention,” highlighting the critical role of corporate directors in ensuring compliance, anti-money laundering regulations, and corporate ethics. He addressed the rising cybersecurity risks and the need for fraud prevention mechanisms to protect financial and operational integrity. Emphasizing the potential of AI-driven risk assessment tools, he outlined their role in enhancing threat detection and regulatory adherence. He urged businesses to adopt strong internal controls and regulatory frameworks to mitigate financial threats and uphold ethical governance, ensuring long-term sustainability and stakeholder trust.

This was followed by an interactive Q&A with the audience

The 'Vote of Thanks' & 'Closing Remarks' were proposed by:

Ms. Alokha Mendens
Regional Manager - Bengaluru Region
Institute of Directors, India

Ms. Mendens expressed her sincere gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries, esteemed speakers, dedicated partners, and enthusiastic participants, acknowledging their valuable engagement and unwavering support. She highlighted that their insightful contributions, active participation, and collaborative spirit played a pivotal role in shaping meaningful discussions and fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. She further emphasized that their presence and commitment were instrumental in the event's success, reinforcing its objective of driving impactful conversations, fostering innovation, and promoting excellence in corporate governance and leadership.

The Institute of Directors (IOD) extends its sincere gratitude to its esteemed Event Partners for their invaluable support.

This report is compiled by:
Ms. Alokha Mendens
Regional Manager - Bengaluru Region
Institute of Directors, India

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