DD is the Deshpande Foundation’s flagship event, bringing together a diverse ecosystem of individuals and organizations passionate about creating positive social impact. So join the powerful network of changemakers in Hubballi, collaborating to build a more equitable and sustainable future.
This keynote panel brings together key stakeholders to shape the entrepreneurial landscape in semi-urban and rural India. This “Founder-First” approach prioritizes the needs, challenges, well-being, and aspirations of entrepreneurs in these regions. With their deep understanding of the local geography and challenges, panelists will discuss strategies for igniting entrepreneurial spirit, strengthening existing ventures, and advocating for policies and resources that directly support founders. The discussion will focus on creating a sustainable and supportive ecosystem that fosters growth and success for Bharat’s entrepreneurs.
This Hubballi Huddle addresses the untapped potential of India’s rural economy, home to 70% of the population yet contributing only 45.6% to GDP. Despite growth in agri-tech, e-commerce, fintech, and renewable energy, challenges like infrastructure, digital penetration, and purchasing power persist. This dialogue brings together investors, entrepreneurs, government, and development organizations to debunk myths surrounding rural business, explore real opportunities across sectors, understand the urban-rural gap, and discuss overcoming key challenges like access to finance and infrastructure limitations for sustainable growth.
The “GTM for Founders: Winning in Bharat” workshop focuses on developing effective go-to-market strategies tailored for the Indian market, specifically targeting Bharat (rural and semi-urban areas). This workshop will equip founders with the skills to craft winning strategies that drive brand growth, deeply engage customers, and accelerate revenue generation. Participants will learn about understanding the unique characteristics of the Bharat market, adapting product offerings, optimizing distribution channels, and implementing effective marketing and communication strategies to resonate with this crucial segment. The workshop will also address challenges and opportunities specific to the Bharat market.
This Hubballi Huddle focuses on increasing capital for Bharat startups (tier-2/3 cities), which comprised 45% of 2024 DPIIT registrations. While funding traditionally favors metros, Bharat’s unique challenges and solutions create a distinct investment landscape. This dialogue will explore this evolving landscape, addressing key challenges in raising capital like market entry and scalability concerns. It will also examine investor expectations for Bharat startups, including business viability, impact, scalability, valuation, national importance, and alignment with long-term growth trends, to help these startups attract investment.
As a founder-focused organization, we recognize the crucial role of the founder’s well-being. The “Founder’s Wellbeing: The Silent Cofounder” workshop addresses the often-overlooked aspect of mental and physical health for entrepreneurs. This workshop will provide founders with practical strategies and tools to manage stress, prevent burnout, and prioritize their overall well-being. Participants will learn techniques for maintaining work-life balance, fostering resilience, and building a supportive network. By investing in their well-being, founders can enhance their performance, make better decisions, and ultimately increase their chances of long-term success.
While Bengaluru drives Karnataka’s economy, North Karnataka holds untapped potential with its agricultural resources and young population. This dialogue focuses on bridging the gap for purpose-driven North Karnataka entrepreneurs who face scaling challenges despite building impactful solutions. By bringing together new-age founders and experienced pioneers, the conversation will explore these scaling hurdles, gain insights from successful regional entrepreneurs who have achieved local and global impact, and foster collaboration and mentorship opportunities to drive sustainable growth for these ventures.
This workshop, “Mastering the Art of Presentation for Founders,” focuses on developing crucial presentation skills for pitching, persuading, and inspiring investors, partners, and customers. It will equip founders with the tools and techniques needed to craft compelling narratives, deliver impactful presentations, and effectively communicate their vision. Participants will learn how to structure their pitches, handle Q&A sessions, and connect with their audience on a deeper level, ultimately increasing their chances of securing funding, forging partnerships, and gaining customer buy-in.