Manorama Sampadyam Business Summit on entrepreneurship begins

Kochi: Businessman and Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated the Manorama Sampadyam Business Summit 2025 on Thursday. The convergence of established business leaders and startup innovators is being held at the Bolgatty Grand Hyatt.

The summit will explore a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from conventional business practices to AI-driven ventures, making it an unmissable opportunity for investors aiming to scale new heights and startups striving to make their mark on the global stage.

For business investors, the summit offers a chance to learn first-hand from industry veterans about leveraging new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to revolutionise business strategies. Meanwhile, experienced entrepreneurs can explore fresh, innovative concepts through interactions with the new generation of thinkers and doers.

Hari Menon, founder of Big Basket, will delve into the latest trends shaping the e-commerce industry. Achieving success in retail amidst the rise of e-commerce, Strategies for capturing global markets with innovative solutions., Insights into equity market gains, Emerging trends in travel and tourism, Practical approaches to business loans and fund mobilisation are the other topics to be deliberated on.

The other highlights of the summit include discussions on the tourism sector, healthcare services, and the opportunities unlocked for Kerala by emerging technologies.

Prominent participants who will bring diverse insights and perspectives include: Anoop Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare), Aju Jacob (Synthite Group), Alex C Ninan (Baby Marine Group), Vinod Manjila (Double Horse), Sreejith Kottarathil (Bank of Baroda), Arun Chittilappilly (Wonderla), Teena Muthoot (Muthoot Fincorp), Ashok Mani (Kitchen Treasures), Nasnin Jahangir (Nest Group), Roshan Saju George (Bank of Baroda), Vimal Govind (Gen Robotics), Ramanunni (Chargemode), Denny Kurien (Keiretsu Forum – Angel Investor), Denny Thomas Vattakkunnel (Santa Monica), Shaji Varghese (Muthoot Fincorp), Navas Meeran (Kerala Football Association), Shaji Prabhakaran (Asian Football Federation), KN Raghavan (Former International Cricket Umpire), Dr. Sabine Sivadasan (Sabine Hospital), Harikumar (Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala), Dr Sunny P Orathel (Rajagiri Hospital), Dr Arun Oommen (Lakeshore Hospital), Prince George (DBFS), Shalini Joslin ( The Carpet Barn).

Muthoot Fincorp is the Powered By sponsor of the summit, with Bank of Baroda and DBFS serving as associate sponsors.

Achieve global success through innovation
The summit's first session, titled "The Future Belongs to Innovators: Insights for Global Success," will feature a keynote address by Anoop Moopen, Director of Aster DM Healthcare. This session will explore how innovation drives success and how businesses can leverage it to achieve global acclaim.

The second session, beginning at 10:20 am will focus on "Unlocking Global Market Opportunities: Key Strategies." Discussions will revolve around identifying opportunities in global markets and crafting business strategies to capitalise on them. Aju Jacob, Managing Director, Synthite Industries, Vinod Manjila, Managing Director, Manjilas Group, Alex K Ninan, Managing Partner, Baby Marine International are the panellists. The session will be moderated by P Kishore, Business Editor of Malayala Manorama.

The third session, titled "Business Funding Solutions," will commence at 11:15 am. This discussion will focus on various strategies for raising funds for businesses and the options available to entrepreneurs. Panelists for this session include Shaji Varghese, CEO, Muthoot Fincorp and Rohan Saju George, Credit Analyst, Bank of Baroda.

The session will be moderated by PG.Suja, Senior Sub-Editor of Malayala Manorama.

At 12:00 noon, Prince George, Managing Director of DBFS (Doha Brokerage & Financial Services), will deliver a talk on "Wealth Creation Opportunities for Businesses in the Share Market." This session will explore how businesses can leverage the equity market to generate wealth and expand their financial horizons.

Business in the age of AI
At 12:10 pm, a panel discussion titled "Smart Business in the Era of Artificial Intelligence" will begin. This session will focus on how businesses can leverage AI to innovate and thrive, as well as explore the emerging opportunities in this transformative age.Vimal Govind, Managing Director, Gen Robotics, Ramanunni, CEO and Co-founder, Chargemode, Denny Kurien, President and CEO, Keiretsu Forum are the panelists. The discussion will be moderated by Mathew T George, News Editor of The Week.

At 12:40 pm, a session spotlighting "The New Generation Leaders of Major Business Families" will take place. This session highlights the next wave of leaders steering legacy businesses into the future.Teena Muthoot, Executive Director, Muthoot Capital Services, Arun Chittilappilly, Managing Director, Wonderla Amusement Parks & Resorts, Nasnin Jahangir, Executive Director and CEO, Nest Software Business, Ashok Mani, Managing Director and CEO, Intergrow Foods and Beverages (Kitchen Treasures) are the participants. The session will be moderated by Rajyasree, Editor-in-Charge of Manorama Sampadyam.

At 2:15 pm, a panel discussion on "Trending Businesses in the Sports Sector" will take place. Kerala Football Association Chairman Navas Meeran, former AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran, and former international cricket umpire K.N. Raghavan will be the key participants. Manoj Mathew, Assistant Editor of Malayala Manorama, will moderate the session.

Changing trends in the health sector
The eighth session, titled "Changing Faces in Healthcare Ventures," will commence at 2:45 PM. This discussion will explore the evolving landscape of healthcare, focusing on innovations, challenges, and the future of health services.Panelists include Dr. Arun Oommen, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Sunny Orathel, Medical Superintendent, Rajagiri Hospital, Dr. Sabine Sivadasan, Founder and Managing Director, Sabine Hospital, Harikumar, CEO, Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala. The session will be moderated by R. Krishnaraj, Content Editor, Manorama Online.

At 3:40 pm, Denny Thomas Vattakkunnel, Group Chairman and Managing Director of Santa Monica, will speak on "Trending Business in the Travel Sector." S. Amal, Sub-Editor of Manorama Sampadyam, will moderate the session.

Hari Menon on Kerala’s Retail Potential
At 4:00 pm, Hari Menon, CEO of Big Basket, will present a session titled "Kerala as a Retail Destination: Approaches in the Age of E-Commerce and Digital Transformation." The talk will explore Kerala's potential as a thriving retail hub in the context of evolving technology and consumer behaviours

At 4:30 pm, a discussion on "Women Power in Business" will take center stage. Shalini Joslin, Founder and Principal Designer of The Carpet Barn, will share her insights and experiences as a female entrepreneur. Rajyasree, Editor in Charge of Manorama Sampadyam, will moderate the session.