The three-day event will take place at the IIM Amritsar campus from January 16 to 18, 2026, with the theme of Reimagining MSMEs: Pathways towards Growth and Innovation.

Speakers who addressed this conference were Samir K. Srivastava who is the Director of IIM Amritsar; Balaji Padmanabhan of the University of Maryland and Sougata Ray who is the Executive Director of the Indian School of Business.

According to Srivastava the theme of the conference is even more relevant in the current backdrop where MSMEs contribute more than 30% of the GDP in India.

He stressed the significance of joint efforts in moving the MSME sector at this crucial stage and the contribution of MSMEs in the promotion of inclusiveness.

The keynote speech was delivered by Padmanabhan on Artificial Intelligence and Small Businesses Opportunities and Challenges. He explained how artificial intelligence has changed over time. It has moved from older methods to newer models that have been developed in the last ten years using continuous learning.

Emphasising the ever increasing capabilities of AI and highlighting the most pressing issues in the context of human AI interaction like the possibility of AI exceeding and replacing human capabilities and tasks, he presented valuable insights into the impact and integration of AI in small-scale businesses for enhanced efficiency and competitiveness.

Ray continued to comment on Indian SMEs during the time of transition, highlighting the reimaging of family capital, the ignition of entrepreneurial spirit and the ignition of innovation. 

He also made practical recommendations for SME owners regarding innovation stimulation, talent nurturing, and leveraging family resources for SME growth.

Creation through cooperation is a key principle used by some large financial organisations to guide their

The highlights said that MSMEs can grow by following a planned and smart approach. They should understand government policies, manage their finances carefully and use technology in their work.