India’s growth story is being rewritten by a new generation of builders. From high-impact startups to category-defining brands, the next decade belongs to those who can scale with purpose and lead with innovation.
Driven by digital acceleration, entrepreneurial ambition, and expanding opportunities across sectors, India is entering a phase where innovation-led enterprises are playing a defining role in economic progress.
The ET Now Bharat Growth Summit & Awards brings this ecosystem together on one platform to recognise excellence, unlock opportunities, and spotlight the leaders shaping India’s future.
India is no longer just a high-potential market, it is a global innovation engine. Startups and new-age enterprises are driving job creation, building globally competitive solutions, and transforming industries at scale.
As this momentum accelerates, the need to identify, recognise, and amplify these success stories becomes critical. This platform is designed to do exactly that, bringing visibility to those building the next chapter of Bharat’s growth story.
A definitive recognition platform celebrating the individuals and organisations building India’s innovation and business landscape.
From early-stage startups to high-growth enterprises and visionary leaders, the awards honour those creating impact at scale while contributing to India’s long-term, sustainable growth.
Founder demonstrating exceptional foresight, strategic thinking, and ability to build a category-defining business.
High-impact entrepreneur (typically under 35/40) showing strong growth, innovation, and leadership potential
Woman leader driving significant business impact while advancing leadership excellence and influence in her domain
Leader creating measurable, scalable social or environmental impact through sustainable and innovative solutions.
Emerging leader with strong early achievements, high growth trajectory, and clear potential for future industry leadership
Organization leveraging AI/ML to deliver breakthrough solutions with measurable business or societal impact
E-commerce company redefining online retail through innovation in customer experience, logistics, or business model
| Leadership Role | Founder and Co-founder with direct strategic influence on business growth and decision-making |
| Vision & Strategic Direction | Demonstrated ability to define and execute a clear growth vision; long-term value creation approach |
| Execution Capability | Proven track record of scaling business, managing operations, and achieving growth milestones |
| Innovation Leadership | Active role in driving innovation, category creation, or disruption through new ideas/products |
| Industry Influence | Recognition as a thought leader; contribution to industry development, panels, forums, or policy influence |
| Media Presence & Visibility | Coverage in reputed media, interviews, speaking engagements, and public recognition |
| Awards & Recognitions | Receipt of credible industry awards, and recognitions |
| Ecosystem Contribution | Involvement in startup ecosystem, mentoring, investments, or community building |
| Leadership Credibility | Strong professional background, ethical leadership, and stakeholder trust |
| Decision-Making Impact | Ability to take high-impact strategic decisions contributing to growth and transformation |
High-growth startup demonstrating exceptional scale, revenue traction, and market leadership in its category.
High-growth startup approaching $1B valuation
Early-stage startup with high innovation, strong early traction, and clear scalability potential.
Profitable, self-funded businesses
Technology-driven startup demonstrating strong growth, scalable innovation, and significant market impact
SaaS company offering a highly scalable, user-centric platform with strong adoption and global potential.
App delivering superior user experience through intuitive design, performance, engagement, and retention
Company transforming credit access through innovative lending models, underwriting, or technology
Drone-focused startup showcasing technological excellence, real-world applications, and regulatory alignment
Company that has significantly redefined its category through innovation, pricing, or business model.
E-commerce company redefining online retail through innovation in customer experience, logistics, or business model
HealthTech company leveraging technology to improve healthcare access, delivery, or outcomes at scale.
Brand promoting holistic health and well-being with strong consumer adoption and credible product offerings.
EdTech company introducing innovative, scalable solutions that enhance learning outcomes and accessibility
Organization advancing eco-friendly transportation solutions with measurable environmental and operational impact.
EdTech company demonstrating strong learning outcomes, user growth, and scalable education solutions
FinTech startup demonstrating strong growth, innovation, and impact on financial accessibility or efficiency.
Electric vehicle startup demonstrating innovation, adoption, and contribution to sustainable mobility.
Company achieving operational efficiency, quality standards, and innovation in manufacturing processes
Company demonstrating exceptional growth in international markets with strong export performance.
Retail-focused startup achieving strong growth through innovation in customer experience and omnichannel presence.
Brand with strong customer affinity reflected through repeat usage, reviews, and brand recall.
Direct-to-consumer brand achieving strong growth through product innovation, branding, and customer engagement.
Brand delivering high-quality, differentiated personal care products with strong consumer trust and market presence
Brand successfully building aspirational value and market traction across lifestyle-focused product categories.
Organization driving indigenous production, localization, and contribution to India’s manufacturing ecosystem
Organization delivering consistently superior customer satisfaction, retention, and service innovation.
Organization driving large-scale adoption of seamless, secure, and innovative digital payment solutions.
| Business Scale | Revenue threshold (Indicative: INR 25 Cr+ for SMEs; flexible for startups) |
| Growth Performance | Strong Year-on-Year growth (preferably 20%+) and consistent scaling trajectory |
| Funding Stage / Financial Strength | Seed to Series D funding or profitable SME with stable financials |
| Business Model Innovation | Unique value proposition, category creation, or differentiated business model |
| Technology / Product Differentiation | Use of technology or product innovation to create competitive advantage |
| Market Presence | Strong customer base, user adoption, and established presence across India |
| Bharat Penetration | Reach and impact across Tier 2 / Tier 3 markets and emerging geographies |
| Category Relevance & Recall | Brand positioning, visibility, and recognition within its category |
| Customer Metrics | Retention, repeat usage, ratings, and overall customer satisfaction indicators |
| Scalability & Sustainability | Ability to scale operations with sustainable unit economics and long-term viability |
| Profitability / Unit Economics | Positive or improving margins, cost efficiency, and revenue quality |
| Governance & Compliance | No major legal/regulatory issues; adherence to compliance standards |
| Brand Perception | Positive sentiment among customers, investors, and stakeholders |
| Strategic Initiatives | Product launches, fundraising, partnerships, and expansion strategies |
| Expansion Capability | Growth across new markets, product lines, and customer segments |
| Innovation Pipeline | Continuous development of new products/services or enhancements |
| Investor Backing / Partnerships | Presence of reputed investors, strategic alliances, or collaborations |
| Industry Impact | Contribution to sector growth, disruption, or transformation |
| Risk Profile | Assessment of operational, financial, or regulatory risks |
A robust and transparent evaluation process led by industry experts and jury members.
Each nomination goes through a structured scoring methodology to ensure credibility and merit-based recognition.
