YESummit 2027: The Journey Begins

By ImpactLens Correspondent

For many entrepreneurs, moving from an idea to a sustainable enterprise requires more than a good business idea. Access to mentors, markets, finance, networks and the right opportunities can shape how far an idea can go. For grassroots entrepreneurs, these connections can be especially important. The idea behind the YES Summit is therefore not limited to bringing entrepreneurs together for a one- or two-day event. It aims to provide year-round support to entrepreneurs who aspire to become part of a wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this sense, YES Summit is not simply an event, but a continuous journey that connects ideas with mentorship, knowledge, opportunities and networks.

On 12 September 2026, the 10th YES Summit was formally launched online with the inauguration of its new website (yesummitindia.org). More than 150 participants from different parts of India, Sri Lanka and the United States joined the launch and interacted with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners. The event brought together entrepreneurs, mentors, ecosystem partners and supporters who reflected on the journey of YES Summit and its growing role in strengthening entrepreneurship at the grassroots.

The launch marked the beginning of the journey towards YES Summit 2027 in Delhi from 4 to 6 March. From the launch onwards, state-level YES Summits will be organised across more than 25 states in India.

From an Idea to a Sustainable Enterprise

Welcoming the participants and ecosystem partners, Mr. M. N. Sanyal, CEO, YouthAid Foundation, described the 10th edition as an important milestone in a journey shaped by the ideas, aspirations, challenges and successes of young entrepreneurs.

He emphasised that every entrepreneurial journey begins with an idea. However, turning that idea into a sustainable enterprise requires access to knowledge, mentorship, markets, finance and opportunities. The core philosophy of YES Summit, Idea, Innovate, Prosper, reflects this journey: developing an idea into a meaningful solution and creating value and prosperity for entrepreneurs, their families and communities.

Mr. Sanyal noted that entrepreneurial talent exists across cities, towns and villages. The challenge, he said, is often to provide young people with the right pathways and opportunities to develop their ideas. He said YES Summit 2027 aims to create a more inclusive, accessible and impactful entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting ideas, knowledge, opportunities and enterprise.

Building a Stronger Entrepreneurial Network

Reflecting on the completion of ten years, Prof. Ujjwal Chowdhary, Board Member, YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India (YEFI) and YouthAid Foundation, highlighted the importance of micro-entrepreneurship in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He emphasised that micro-entrepreneurship is an integral part of the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem, noting its significant contribution to the Indian economy. He also stressed the importance of entrepreneurs collaborating with one another, learning from each other and seeking mentorship from experienced people.

For Prof. Chowdhary, networking is an important part of the entrepreneurial journey. A stronger network can give entrepreneurs more opportunities to learn, connect with others and grow their businesses. He described YES Summit as an important platform for building such networks among entrepreneurs across India.

An Inclusive Platform for Entrepreneurs

Prof. Mohmed Aslam, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, appreciated the Foundation for bringing together entrepreneurs across different stages and scales, from grassroots, micro- and nano-scale entrepreneurs to medium-scale enterprises.

He particularly highlighted the inclusivity of the ecosystem, including participation across genders and sectors. Describing the 9th YES Summit as his first experience of such a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurs’ summit, he said the gathering provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, information and experiences with entrepreneurs.

Looking towards YES Summit 2027 in Delhi, Prof. Aslam expressed confidence that the platform would grow further, bringing together more entrepreneurs, strengthening networks and contributing to a global entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also shared his aspiration to organise a similar summit in Sri Lanka and said he is working with organisations to make it possible.

Taking the Grassroots Story Forward

Reflecting on his association with YouthAid Foundation and YES Summit over the past two years, Mr. Sohel Khan, Telangana Innovation/Grassroots Innovation Ecosystem – TGIC, recalled Telangana’s role in hosting the 9th edition.

He highlighted the participation of more than 22 states in the 9th edition and the importance of creating a platform where grassroots entrepreneurs can build confidence, create livelihoods and contribute value to their local economies.

For Mr. Khan, the significance of YES Summit goes beyond the event itself. What matters, he said, is how the initiative impacts and changes lives at the grassroots. Looking towards the 10th edition, he expressed the hope that participation would expand beyond 25 states to include entrepreneurs from every state and Union Territory in the country.

Bringing AI into the Entrepreneurial Journey

Ms. Priya Kothari, Executive Director, WISE Accelerator, Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST), and Board Member, YouthAid Foundation, highlighted the importance of participation from entrepreneurs, young people, women, grassroots communities and ecosystem partners in building YES Summit over the years.

Looking ahead, she emphasised the need to understand emerging technologies, particularly AI, and explore how they can help small businesses create value and turn small ideas into greater opportunities. She shared plans to explore AI-based initiatives within YES Summit and create a dedicated space where entrepreneurs can learn how AI can be applied in their businesses.

Ms. Kothari also stressed that learning should remain a continuous part of every entrepreneurial journey. She shared plans to explore short-term online courses for small-business owners in collaboration with Washington University, helping entrepreneurs access relevant knowledge and skills.

Putting Entrepreneurs at the Centre

Reflecting on his association with YouthAid Foundation and YES Summit since 2019, Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee, Associate Director, Incubation, E-YUVA Centre, Adamas University, highlighted the initiative’s startup-first, society-first and participant-first approach.

He said that, unlike platforms that may focus heavily on numbers and institutional recognition, YES Summit places the success stories of entrepreneurs and startups at the centre. He appreciated the vision of using entrepreneurship as a means to contribute to social change and expressed his continued commitment to the initiative.

Looking ahead, Dr. Chatterjee supported the vision of reaching entrepreneurs across every state and creating successful entrepreneurial stories in different parts of the country. He emphasised that these stories can inspire others, with YES Summit serving as a platform from which such journeys can emerge.

Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Local Employment

Speaking as an ecosystem partner, Mr. Pravin Jadhav, Executive Director, CYDA, reflected on CYDA’s association with YES Summit from its early years. He highlighted the growth of the platform from around 30 participants to more than 25,000, and from a city-level initiative to one with an international presence. He emphasised that YES Summit has grown beyond being a programme or event into a platform that enables women, LGBTQI communities and others to pursue their ideas and entrepreneurial aspirations.

Mr. Jadhav also stressed the importance of promoting first-generation micro-entrepreneurs, creating employment and strengthening entrepreneurship at the grassroots, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Supporting local entrepreneurship, he said, can create livelihood opportunities closer to communities and help reduce migration towards cities. He reaffirmed CYDA’s commitment as an ecosystem partner to supporting and organising YES Summit activities across more than 15 states. Addressing entrepreneurs, he concluded with the reminder that “not taking a risk is itself a very big risk.”

Networking to New Possibilities

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Vicky Kalbande, Director & CEO, VK Control System Pvt. Ltd. / Sleek Bill and Board Member, YEFI, credited YES Summit and the guidance he received through the platform for helping him understand the importance of networking, mentorship and becoming part of the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As a first-generation entrepreneur, he said the guidance he received encouraged him to step beyond his office, build relationships and learn from industry leaders. This led him to connect with major industry associations, including NASSCOM and the Data Security Council of India.

Mr. Kalbande said YES Summit continues to provide him with new ideas, inspiration and opportunities to learn from entrepreneurs across India. He encouraged other entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to the summit, seek guidance, build their networks and move forward in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Survival to Growth and Impact

Sharing her experience, Ms. Anchala Aswal, Co-Founder, Moksham Creations and YEFI Member, Uttarakhand, said her participation in the previous YES Summit gave her exposure, connections and opportunities to engage with entrepreneurs from different parts of India.

Listening to their journeys and sharing her own helped her recognise that, despite differences in sectors, backgrounds and geographies, entrepreneurs often face similar challenges, including the fear of failure and finding the right market. She said being part of an ecosystem like YEFI and YES Summit changed her perspective, encouraging her to think beyond business survival and focus on scaling, growth and impact.

A Journey That Continues

During the launch, Ms. Jyotsna Bahirat, Director, YEFI, provided an overview of the programme and the journey ahead. The event also brought together different voices from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, each highlighting a different aspect of YES Summit, from mentorship and networking to technology, inclusion, grassroots enterprise and continuous learning.

The common message emerging from the discussions was that the value of YES Summit lies in what happens between and beyond the annual gatherings. An idea needs guidance. An entrepreneur needs connections. A business needs access to markets, finance and knowledge. A growing enterprise needs an ecosystem that can continue to support it.

The launch of the website is intended to strengthen these connections and take the YES Summit movement beyond a physical gathering. The journey towards the 10th edition has therefore begun with a larger ambition: to create pathways through which more grassroots entrepreneurs can move from idea to enterprise, from enterprise to growth, and from individual success to wider community impact.

The session concluded with Mr. Mathew Mattam, Chairperson and Founder, YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India (YEFI), encouraging entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners to join the journey and contribute to strengthening the platform. He mentioned that as YES Summit moves forward, the aim is to take the platform to the global level, bringing grassroots entrepreneurs from different parts of the world together to share their ideas, experiences and entrepreneurial journeys.

With state-level engagements planned across more than 25 states, the road to YES Summit 2027 in Delhi is now underway. What began as a summit is steadily evolving into a continuing ecosystem, one that seeks to connect entrepreneurs with the people, knowledge, opportunities and support they need to take their ideas forward.

For More Information

For more information or to participate in the Summit, please visit the website:

yesummitindia.org

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 90678 01119