Meet the Jury of Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026: The Leaders Evaluating India’s Entrepreneurs

Recognition in today’s business ecosystem is closely tied to credibility, and that credibility comes from who evaluates the journey. The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards by deAsra stand among the most respected entrepreneur awards, driven by a rigorous evaluation process and a distinguished jury panel. With 200+ applications from across India and only 6 entrepreneurs selected, the process reflects the evolving standards of entrepreneur awards in India, where growth, job creation, and sustainability are key benchmarks. You can explore more about the platform and its approach on the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 blog.

The strength of the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards lies in its jury—leaders who bring decades of experience across sectors. Their collective perspective ensures that entrepreneur awards recognise businesses that demonstrate discipline, resilience, and long-term impact. This diversity of expertise is what continues to set a strong benchmark within entrepreneur awards in India.

Meet the Jury: Experience across sectors and ecosystems

The jury panel of the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 represents a powerful mix of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policy experts, and ecosystem enablers:

• Mr. Pradeep Bhargava – A veteran industry leader with over three decades of experience across government and global organisations, known for his leadership roles and contribution to large-scale initiatives like the Pune Power Model.
• Dr. Ajit Kanitkar – A development professional and policy expert with deep experience in entrepreneurship, livelihoods, and inclusive economic development across research and grassroots ecosystems.
• Ms. Sonali Deshpande – A committed contributor to social impact initiatives through her work with Persistent Foundation and deAsra Foundation, focused on community engagement and development.
• Mr. Saurabh Mangrulkar – Founder and CEO of EventBeep, building a global platform that empowers college students through mentorship, internships, and opportunities.
• Dr. Vikrant V. Bhujbalrao – Entrepreneur, author, and mentor, actively supporting startups and MSMEs through training, incubation, and business advisory.
• Ms. Saudamini – Managing Director of Saudamini Handloom, working closely with artisans to promote sustainable handloom traditions and heritage-driven enterprises.
• Mr. Jayant Ketkar – A veteran banker with over 35 years at State Bank of India, bringing deep expertise in corporate finance and credit, and actively mentoring entrepreneurs.
• Ms. Kamakshi Barve – Founder of Barva Skin Therapie, a wellness-driven brand combining natural ingredients with sustainable business practices.
• Mr. Ajay Phatak – A sustainability professional working at the intersection of ecology, economics, and business transformation, guiding organisations towards long-term impact.
• Ms. Zelam Amit Chaubal – A prominent leader in India’s travel industry, driving innovation and growth within Kesari Tours while actively contributing to industry forums and mentorship.
• Ms. Vinita Ram – An entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in building and scaling businesses across technology, design, and manufacturing sectors.
• Mr. Arun Kadekodi – Co-founder and CEO of Soft Corner, with decades of experience in software product development and global technology solutions.
• Mr. Suresh Kumar – Former senior IRS officer with deep expertise in taxation and regulatory frameworks, now advising organisations on income tax and international taxation.
• Ms. Sharmila Bhide – A serial entrepreneur who built and scaled a global IT services company, now focused on governance and strategic growth in businesses.
• Dr. Shridhar Shukla – A technology leader and entrepreneur with experience in building global organisations and contributing to innovation and education ecosystems.

What this jury brings to the entrepreneur awards

The diversity of this panel ensures that evaluation at the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards is comprehensive and balanced. Each jury member brings a unique lens—whether it is finance, sustainability, policy, technology, or grassroots entrepreneurship.

This approach strengthens the credibility of entrepreneur awards, ensuring that businesses are assessed on multiple dimensions. Within the landscape of entrepreneur awards in India, such a structured and diverse evaluation process is becoming increasingly important.

For participants, this means that recognition is aligned with real performance and long-term potential. For attendees, it offers confidence in the platform’s integrity and the value of the recognition being awarded.

Conclusion

The jury of the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 represents a strong convergence of experience, insight, and commitment to building India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their role ensures that the platform continues to recognise businesses that demonstrate growth, responsibility, and impact—core values that define leading entrepreneur awards.

As entrepreneur awards in India continue to evolve, such panels play a critical role in shaping the future of recognition and setting higher benchmarks for entrepreneurial success.

Event Details:
📅 Date: 4th April 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM onwards
📍 Venue: Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjawadi, Pune

FAQs

1. Who are the jury members of the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026?

The jury comprises experienced leaders from industry, entrepreneurship, finance, sustainability, and policy, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation process.

2. What is the role of the jury in entrepreneur awards?

The jury evaluates applications based on growth, job creation, sustainability, and business discipline to ensure fairness and credibility.

3. Why is a strong jury important in entrepreneur awards in India?

A strong jury ensures that recognition is based on meaningful impact and measurable performance, enhancing the credibility of the awards.

4. What kind of entrepreneurs are evaluated?

Entrepreneurs demonstrating consistent growth, employment generation, and scalable business models are evaluated for the awards.

5. How can I attend the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026?

You can visit the official deAsra website to learn more about attending the event and engaging with the ecosystem.