Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 – Igniting the Inspired: Powering the Future of Entrepreneurship
When dreams meet determination, businesses transform. When support meets strategy, economies grow.
On Saturday, April 4, 2026, we witnessed exactly this at deAsra Foundation’s Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 at Persistent Systems, Hinjawadi – an evening that celebrated not just achievements, but journeys. Journeys of grit, growth, and genuine impact.
Surrounded by our partners, well-wishers, and supporters who continue to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, we came together to honour those who are turning ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses.
Six Stories. Three Categories. Infinite Inspiration.
The theme this year was “Igniting the Inspired” – and that’s precisely what happened as we honoured six exceptional entrepreneurs who are building India’s economic future, one sustainable business at a time.
dream50 Category Awardees:
🏆 Om Somvanshi & Hemant Sirsat (Nexzdent Pvt. Ltd.)
🏆 Dr. Vikrant Kulkarni (Mohor Superfoods)
These entrepreneurs have demonstrated remarkable progress in building sustainable businesses while creating meaningful employment and contributing to economic growth.
dream100 Category Awardees:
🏆 Saurabh Bhosale (Starktech Ventures Pvt. Ltd.)
🏆 Deepak Kumar (Yogitha Biofarming Pvt. Ltd.)
Their journeys reflect resilience, strategic growth, and the ability to scale sustainably – proving that consistent effort and smart execution lead to lasting impact.
Young Entrepreneur Category Awardees:
🏆 Sharayu Banait (School Bus2.0, Blockly Technologies. Pvt. Ltd.)
🏆 Sarthwah Bhondage (AKXY Sustainable Solutions LLP)
At 25 or below, these young founders are already making waves. Their early leadership, innovation, and commitment to building impactful businesses prove that age is just a number when vision meets action.
Together, these six entrepreneurs represent critical sectors – education, healthcare, sustainable lifestyle, and agriculture – proving that entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit; it’s about solving real problems and creating lasting value.
A Moment with Our Founder
Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder & Chairman of Persistent Systems and Founder of deAsra Foundation, shared invaluable insights that resonated deeply with every person in the room.
His guidance wasn’t just motivational – it was practical, rooted in decades of building a global enterprise while staying committed to nurturing India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His words reminded us that success is never a solo journey; it’s built on community, mentorship, and unwavering belief in one’s vision.
A Bold New Direction: From Seed-Soil-Surround to INSPIRE-IGNITE-INFORM
One of the most significant announcements of the evening came from Pradnya Godbole, CEO and Ashish Pandit, COO of deAsra Foundation. They unveiled a strategic shift in deAsra’s approach.
The Evolution:
FROM: Seed-Soil-Surround Framework (Idea-oriented)
TO: INSPIRE-IGNITE-INFORM Framework (Action-oriented)
Why This Matters:
The entrepreneurial journey doesn’t begin with just an idea – it begins with inspiration that sparks action. The new framework reflects this reality:
✨ INSPIRE – Awakening the entrepreneurial mindset
🔥 IGNITE – Taking the first step and building momentum
📚 INFORM – Equipping entrepreneurs with knowledge, resources, and support to scale
This isn’t just a rebranding; it’s a recommitment to action-driven entrepreneurship. Because ideas are abundant, but execution is rare. And at deAsra, we’re here to bridge that gap.
When Creativity Meets Technology: Insights That Transform
The evening’s chief guests brought unique perspectives that perfectly captured the modern entrepreneurial landscape – Arun Prabhudesai, Founder of Trakin Tech (India’s leading tech YouTube channel), and Sarang Sathaye, Founder, Actor & Comedian at BhaDiPa.
Together, they shared powerful insights on how technology, AI, and social media are fundamentally changing how businesses operate and grow.
Their combined wisdom – one from the world of tech content creation, the other from entertainment and digital media – demonstrated that whether you’re building in technology, agriculture, healthcare, or any sector, the fundamentals remain the same: solve real problems, stay authentic, embrace change, and never stop learning.
Beyond the Awards: What We’re Building Together
Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 wasn’t just a ceremony – it was a reminder of what’s possible when:
- Entrepreneurs dare to dream and commit to consistent action
- Ecosystem partners show up to support, mentor, and invest
- Communities celebrate not just success, but effort, resilience, and growth
- Frameworks evolve to meet entrepreneurs where they are and propel them forward
The entrepreneurs honoured on this stage are proof that India’s economic future is being written by those who are willing to take risks, create jobs, and build businesses that matter.
Your Turn: Join the Mission
At deAsra Foundation, we believe that entrepreneurship is the engine of economic transformation. But we can’t do this alone.
We’re calling on:
🤝 Aspiring Entrepreneurs – If you’re building something meaningful, we want to support you
🤝 Mentors & Experts – Share your knowledge with those who need it most
🤝 Ecosystem Partners – Let’s collaborate to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
🤝 Supporters & Well-wishers – Amplify these stories, champion these journeys
We Want to Hear from YOU
What else can we do to encourage entrepreneurship in India?
- What challenges are entrepreneurs facing that we’re not addressing?
- What resources would make the biggest difference?
- How can we make entrepreneurship more accessible and inclusive?
- What success stories inspire you to take action?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback doesn’t just matter – it shapes what we build next. Visit the website https://www.deasra.in/ for more information.
The Journey Continues
To all the awardees – congratulations once again. Your stories are proof that when passion meets perseverance, extraordinary things happen.
To everyone who attended, supported, mentored, and celebrated with us – thank you for being part of this mission.
And to every entrepreneur reading this – whether you’re just starting out or scaling up – remember: Your journey matters. Your business matters. And we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Let’s continue Igniting the Inspired. Together.
🔗 Learn more about deAsra’s programs: www.deasra.in
📧 Connect with us: team@deasra.co.in
📱 Follow our journey: [Social Media Links]
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deAsra Foundation is committed to nurturing nano and small entrepreneurs across India through mentorship, resources, and ecosystem support. Our mission: Make entrepreneurship accessible, sustainable, and impactful.