ASCENT Foundation, the peer-to-peer entrepreneurial learning platform founded and managed by Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico Limited, proudly hosted the 10th Edition of its flagship event, the ASCENT Conclave, on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.Since its inception in 2012, ASCENT Foundation has grown into one of India’s most trusted and vibrant platforms for entrepreneurial learning and collaboration. Today, it brings together over 1,000 entrepreneurs from more than 40 cities across India. These leaders who collectively represent a turnover exceeding ₹1,28,000 crore and employ more than 1,00,000 people, building a powerful ecosystem of shared growth and collective impact.
The ASCENT Conclave, over the past decade, has evolved into a celebration of India’s entrepreneurial energy, serving as a space where founders exchange ideas, share experiences and inspire one another to scale higher. The 10th edition was the largest yet, uniting more than 700 entrepreneurs for thought-provoking sessions, authentic storytelling and real-world insights on navigating the rapidly evolving business landscape.
Fostering Growth Through Shared Learning
At the heart of ASCENT lies a simple yet powerful belief — entrepreneurs grow stronger when they learn from one another. Through its peer group format, ASCENT has created a safe, non-competitive environment where business leaders openly share challenges and successes without fear or judgment. Beyond professional growth, ASCENT has also helped its members evolve personally — building self-awareness, resilience, and empathy, helping them become not just better entrepreneurs but better individuals.
“ASCENT was born out of the understanding that entrepreneurship can often be a lonely journey,” said Harsh Mariwala, Chairman, Marico Limited and Founder, ASCENT Foundation. “Through a robust network of trust and mutual learning, ASCENT has become a platform where entrepreneurs can share freely, collaborate meaningfully, and grow collectively. The 10th Edition of the Conclave is not just a milestone, but a reflection of how far Indian entrepreneurs have come — and how much further we can go together in building a Viksit Bharat.”
Adding to this, Priyanjali Mariwala, Lead Director, ASCENT Foundation, said, “Over the years, ASCENT has nurtured a community that thrives on authenticity and collaboration. It is a space where diverse entrepreneurs spanning across sectors and scales — come together to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and co-create solutions. The Conclave represents that spirit of collective learning and transformation.”
A Decade of Impact and Vision for 2047
The ASCENT community’s success stories reflect the multiplier effect of its model — where one entrepreneur’s growth fuels opportunities for many others. By empowering 10 entrepreneurs who can in turn empower 10 more, ASCENT aims to build a cascading network of impact that strengthens India’s entrepreneurial backbone and contributes meaningfully to the nation’s $5 trillion economic aspiration.
As India proudly marches towards Viksit Bharat 2047, ASCENT continues to play a pivotal role in enabling entrepreneurs to capitalise on the “Indian opportunity” — fostering innovation, creating jobs, and driving sustainable growth.
A Platform for Ideas and Collaboration
The ASCENT Conclave 2025, in collaboration with Ideabaaz, a TV show that will serve as a national stage for Indian startups looking for support beyond fundraise, will amplify this spirit by providing a forum for founders to pitch, collaborate, and co-create innovative solutions. This unique partnership will encourage entrepreneurs to exchange ideas that could potentially reshape industries and contribute to India’s growth story.
Inspiring Voices, Transformative Conversations
This year’s Conclave featured inspiring voices such as Naseeruddin Shah, Veteran Actor and Theatre Artist; Pratik Gandhi, Actor and Host of Ideabaaz; Kapil Chopra, Founder of The Postcard Hotel and EazyDiner; Mithun Sacheti, Founder of CaratLane; and Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, among others. They shared their experiences on discipline, innovation, and resilience, key ethos that mirror the entrepreneurial journey. Their stories reinforced the idea that whether in business, art, or sports, success stems from passion, perseverance and a constant pursuit of excellence.
As ASCENT marks a decade of fostering entrepreneurial learning, collaboration, and impact, the 10th ASCENT Conclave 2025 stands as a testament to India’s collective spirit of enterprise — a movement of founders helping founders, and a community that continues to power India’s growth story toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
About ASCENT
ASCENT Foundation, established by Harsh Mariwala, is a not-for-profit expression of his commitment to guide and support growth-stage entrepreneurs on their professional and personal journeys.
Built as a peer-to-peer platform, ASCENT harnesses the “Power of Collective,” enabling entrepreneurs to share experiences, ideas, and insights openly. Through self-facilitated Trust Groups and a wider network of enablers, ASCENT fosters growth that is rooted in collaboration.
Since its inception, ASCENT has brought together more than 1200 entrepreneurs across 115 operational Trust Groups in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and through All India Chapters. The community is diverse and vibrant — with 43 percent representing manufacturing, 57 percent from service industries, 44 percent belonging to family businesses, and 10 percent being women entrepreneurs. Members span over 65 industries, with businesses ranging in size from ₹ 1 Cr to 3500 Cr. For more information, visit ascentfoundation.in
