Celebrating Success: Highlights from the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2025

The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2025 was not just another ceremony – it was a powerful celebration of dreams realised, milestones reached, and the promise of India’s entrepreneurial future. Organised by deAsra Foundation, the event stood as a tribute to the journey of small businesses and growing enterprises across sectors. The awards highlighted the incredible resilience and innovation displayed by entrepreneurs across the country.

From energising panel talks to inspiring recognition moments, the entire event offered valuable lessons and emotional highs. This blog dives into the most memorable highlights from the ceremony and shines a light on the journeys of the winning entrepreneurs. We’ve captured their achievements, challenges, and what lies ahead, so you can carry their inspiration forward. For more behind-the-scenes stories and expert insights, you can also check this space.

A Night That Celebrated Vision, Grit, and Growth

Held at Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjewadi, Pune, on 4 April 2025, the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards ceremony brought together hundreds of business founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers. The event began at 4 PM and was full of excitement right from the start.

The energy in the hall was contagious. Entrepreneurs from various sectors such as food, design, health, and technology gathered to network, celebrate, and learn from each other. The well-curated flow of the evening kept the audience engaged, while each segment revealed a new dimension of India’s entrepreneurial energy.

Inspiring Session: Dream Big, Grow Bigger

One of the evening’s standout moments was the expert panel discussion on Dream Big, Grow Bigger: Unlocking the Potential of Small Businesses. The panel featured:

• Sagar Babar, a respected business coach and Instagram influencer
• Vinay Sapru, a renowned Hindi film director
• Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, author and journalist, who moderated the session

They discussed the unique journey of Indian entrepreneurs and offered real-world guidance on scaling ventures. Attendees noted that this session was equal parts inspiring and insightful.

The Real Heroes: Meet the Award Winners

The evening shone brightest during the award presentations. The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards included three powerful categories: Dream10, Dream50, and Dream100, each highlighting exceptional stories of business owners driving growth with purpose.

Dream10: Scaling New Heights

• Priya Patil, founder of Feroall Cookware, Kolhapur, was awarded for her brand’s innovative approach in cookware design and functionality.
• Sharmila Vaitla, of Tanjore Coffee House, Pune, was recognised for reviving South Indian flavours in a competitive F&B landscape.

Dream50: Creative and Community-Focused

• Sonal Maheshwari, founder of Sowe’s Hospitality Pvt Ltd (brand: Salad Tub), Baner, Pune, was celebrated for offering nutritious food through sustainable packaging.
• Radhika Pandit and Radhika Kulkarni, co-founders of Iris Media Solutions, Baner, brought innovation to design and branding for startups and were applauded for their creative excellence.

Dream100: Purpose-Driven Growth

• Pranav Lunavat of Velotech Solutions Private Limited, Katraj-Kondhwa Road, Pune, received applause for tech solutions enabling small business digitisation.
• Namrata Awachat, founder of Phenixcare Health and Wellness Pvt Ltd, Vishrantwadi, received the award for her significant contribution to preventive health and wellness.

These winners showcased what the entrepreneur awards are truly about – vision, courage, and commitment.

The Power of Mentorship: Dare2Dream Growth Program

Winners were not just given recognition – they gained access to the Dare2Dream Growth Program, a personalised mentorship journey designed to help businesses grow further. The program connects entrepreneurs to business experts, strategic planners, and marketing mentors who guide them step-by-step.

For many previous winners, the mentorship proved to be a turning point. They improved their business models, reached wider audiences, and became more confident decision-makers.

The 2025 edition welcomed this year’s winners into the next cohort, assuring them that their success journey would continue beyond the awards night.

Energy and Excitement: Attendees Share Their Experience

The vibe of the event was charged with hope and celebration. Founders and mentors connected deeply during networking sessions, which opened doors for collaborations and partnerships.

Many attendees commented on how valuable the experience was:

“The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2025 showed us we’re not alone. We’re part of a thriving community. And events like these will inspire more like us,” said a Dream50 finalist.

“Seeing others win inspired me to dream bigger. I’m aiming for the entrepreneur awards next year for sure,” shared a guest entrepreneur.

Building a Stronger Ecosystem

The event reinforced the purpose of the Entrepreneur Awards in India: to create a space where entrepreneurs are seen, heard, and supported. Awards like these bring credibility and motivation that go beyond certificates. They open up new opportunities and networks.

The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards offered a platform to amplify underrepresented voices, especially women-led and small-town ventures. This inclusivity gave the event deep emotional resonance.

A Glimpse Into the Future: EEA 2026

Even before the 2025 event concluded, conversations began about the next chapter. Organisers dropped hints that Entrepreneur Awards in India 2026 will be even more engaging, with a bigger focus on mentorship, funding access, and storytelling.

Aspiring participants were encouraged to stay tuned, build their portfolios, and apply early. The buzz for next year had already started!

Final Thoughts

The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2025 was more than just an evening of applause. It was a collective moment of pride and progress for India’s entrepreneur community. From showcasing achievements to providing tools for further growth, it marked a high point in the journey of many business owners.

This year’s winners gave us stories of struggle turned into strength, ideas built into brands, and passion turned into purposeful work. As we look forward to EEA 2026, one thing is clear – the future belongs to those who dare to dream.

FAQs:

1. What are the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards? 

The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards recognise outstanding small and growing businesses across India. They celebrate innovation, impact, and resilience.

2. Who organises these entrepreneur awards? 

The awards are presented by deAsra Foundation, an organisation committed to enabling small businesses through knowledge, tools, and mentorship.

3. What is the Dare2Dream Growth Program? 

It’s a mentorship program designed to support the winners of the entrepreneur awards through expert guidance, strategic planning, and branding help.

4. Who were some of the 2025 winners? 

Winners included Priya Patil (Feroall Cookware), Sharmila Vaitla (Tanjore Coffee House), and Sonal Maheshwari (Salad Tub), among others.

5. Where was the 2025 event held? 

It took place on 4 April 2025, at Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjewadi, Pune.

6. How can I apply for the 2026 awards? 

Keep an eye on deAsra’s official website and social media pages for application announcements.

7. Are these awards only for Pune-based businesses? 

No, the Entrepreneur Awards in India are open to businesses from all regions, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.