L-R: Karan Bhagat, Sanjiv Goenka, Rupert Hoogewerf, Anas Rahman Junaid

Hurun India and 360 ONE Wealth jointly hosted India’s Most Respected Entrepreneurs Awards and Dinner 2023.  The event brought together the crème de la crème of the Indian entrepreneurial world to celebrate innovation, leadership, and the significant contributions made by India’s business elite.

The ceremony was opened with a keynote address by Rupert Hoogewerf, the Chairman and Chief Researcher of the Hurun Report. He highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in driving India’s economy. He also spoke about the evolution of the awards over years, emphasising how they have become a benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence in India.

Following the keynote, the awards were presented in various categories, recognising entrepreneurs from diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing and more. These categories included:

Most Respected Entrepreneur of the Year: Awarded to an individual who has shown exceptional leadership, innovation and social impact. This year’s award went  to Radhe Shyam Goenka, founder and chairman of the Emami Group.

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: This award recognises a rising star in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, an individual whose business has shown tremendous growth and potential.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to a veteran entrepreneur who has made a long-standing contribution to Indian business and has been a role model for others in the industry. This year’s award was won by Basudeo Narain Singh, founder and chairman of Alkem Laboratories.

Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award：This award recognises an individual who demonstrates profound leadership and innovation on a global scale. This year, the award went to Shreegopal Kabra, managing director and group.

Interspersed with the awards were several cultural performances, reflecting the rich heritage and diversity of India. Over 500 VIPs and industry leaders were in attendance, and the ceremony was covered by more than 50 media outlets, including domestic and international.

In total, INR 12 trillion of combined revenue was present on the night. The event also achieved over 50 million views across live streams and broadcasts. Over 100 CXOs and 200 industry leaders (so roughly 50% of those in attendance) were present, showcasing the sheer scale of influence that 360 One and Hurun India together have on the Indian economy. On top of this, 35% of the winners were first- generation entrepreneurs, highlighting the rapid rise of new age business leaders making their mark in this digital age.

 Projections show that over the next 5 years, the rate at which successful Indian start-ups/ unicorns will make their mark will exponentially increase. This is predominantly due to the technological advancements including the application of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and the improvement of data analytics for better customer targeting and insights.

Another noteworthy part of the evening was the recognition of the aforementioned sustainability initiatives sweeping across Indian businesses. Several entrepreneurs were honoured for leading the shift toward eco- friendly practices, particularly in energy management and waste reduction. Their businesses demonstrated how profitability and sustainability can align, offering much inspiration for other businesses to incorporate green policies for the betterment of the planet’s ecosystem.

Ultimately, the night was more than a celebration, for it was a convergence of ideas, innovation and leadership that highlighted the evolving landscape of Indian business. Attendees left highly optimistic for the future of Indian business.