Hyderabad is set to become the national capital of inclusive entrepreneurship as YESummit 2026, organised by YouthAid Foundation, brings together grassroots innovators from across India in a powerful celebration of ideas rooted in lived realities. Supported by corporates, civil society organisations, and government institutions, the summit will witness large-scale participation from women, youth, tribal communities, informal workers, and entrepreneurs from some of the country’s most remote regions.
The Inaugural Session of YESummit brings together an inspiring panel of leaders and practitioners shaping inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems. It features Dr. Mittali Sethi, District Collector of Nandurbar, for her pioneering work in tribal livelihoods and social inclusion; Dr. Shreekant Sharma of National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme), a thought leader in agripreneurship; Vinayak Kadaskar from CIE Automotive India Ltd.; Gaurav Dharmarha of SBI Mutual Fund;, M. S. M. Aslam of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka; and Matt Smith from the Global Entrepreneurship Network—offering global insights, policy perspectives, and practical pathways for grassroots entrepreneurs. ACG Foundation, Mukund Madhav Foundation and Bajaj Finserv and all other corporates who are part of our mission.
“YESummit challenges the traditional, elite image of entrepreneurship and highlights a powerful shift toward inclusive, community-driven innovation,” says Mathew Mattam chairperson, YouthAid Foundation and YEFi YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India . For decades, entrepreneurship in India has been imagined as the domain of privileged circles—polished pitches, fluent English, and access to capital-heavy networks. YESummit 2026 decisively breaks this stereotype by placing grassroots innovators at the centre of the national conversation.
Established in 2017 as a Section 8 not-for-profit, YouthAid Foundation has spent the last eight years building pathways for marginalised communities to enter and thrive in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. YESummit was conceived to address a critical gap: the lack of affordable mentoring, exposure, and confidence-building platforms for first-generation entrepreneurs. What began as a modest initiative has now evolved into a national movement.
YESummit 2026 in Hyderabad will bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs who have journeyed through intensive boot camps, district- and state-level summits, and rigorous mentoring processes. At the national stage, they will engage with industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and development professionals—many for the first time in their lives. Importantly, the summit offers this exposure without financial barriers, ensuring that talent, not privilege, defines opportunity.
Beyond business pitches, YESummit focuses on mindset transformation. Participants gain confidence, strategic thinking, and a broader worldview, enabling them to imagine growth beyond local markets. The summit actively promotes women-led enterprises, youth innovation, and LGBTQIA+ participation, reinforcing the belief that entrepreneurship must serve both economic and social goals.
The YESummit Exhibition is a vibrant marketplace celebrating India’s grassroots entrepreneurship, bringing together artisans, farmer collectives, food processors, and creative enterprises from across the country. From traditional crafts and handlooms to organic foods, millets, bamboo products, and innovative local brands, the exhibition showcases the diversity, resilience, and creativity of small entrepreneurs. It offers participants direct market exposure, networking opportunities, and access to support services such as banking, IPR, and legal compliances.
Stories from past editions underline this impact. From tribal women building local employment to young innovators addressing environmental challenges, YESummit alumni are using enterprise as a tool for community resilience. The eighth edition in Bengaluru highlighted how entrepreneurship can reduce migration, strengthen local economies, and restore dignity.
YESummit 2026 is more than an event—it is a collective statement. It signals that India’s entrepreneurial future will not be shaped only in elite boardrooms, but in villages, small towns, and underserved communities. By redefining who an entrepreneur is, YESummit is helping redefine India’s development journey itself.
