Updated
Updated · The Economic Times · Aug 25
ET Business Growth Summit Honors 5 Entrepreneurs in Bengaluru as Karnataka Pushes AI-Led Expansion
Updated
Updated · The Economic Times · Aug 25

ET Business Growth Summit Honors 5 Entrepreneurs in Bengaluru as Karnataka Pushes AI-Led Expansion

3 articles · Updated · The Economic Times · Aug 25

Summary

  • Five entrepreneurs — from Simplilearn, Wonderla, Umiya Buildcon, K. Ravi & Associates and Onsurity — were felicitated as ET Business Icons at the ET Business Growth Summit’s closing ceremony in Bengaluru.
  • Karnataka Digital Economy Mission said the state’s next growth phase will spread beyond Bengaluru to Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Mangaluru, while framing AI-driven disruption as a long-term business opportunity.
  • Business leaders tied that outlook to trade and financing: BCIC said the India-UK FTA opens 137 services sub-sectors and the India-EU pact covers 99.5% of India’s exports, while IDBI Bank highlighted support for MSMEs and export readiness.
  • Workshops and panels focused on execution — using AI for market expansion, scaling businesses, reskilling workers and helping Indian exporters use global trade exhibitions to reach overseas markets.
  • The event closed with a broader message that Bengaluru’s startup and corporate ecosystem is positioning for growth through AI, skills and global partnerships rather than relying on the city alone.

Insights

Can Karnataka's ambitious push to transform Tier-2 cities into global tech hubs actually save Bengaluru from its own crushing congestion?
Will the rapid adoption of AI by major tech firms ultimately empower small businesses, or quietly widen the gap between them?
While free trade agreements promise massive export growth, are Indian SMEs secretly unprepared for the strict compliance rules of European markets?