Shaping Tomorrow: Celebrating Innovation And Leadership

The Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards 2024, held on November 23-24 at the Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, Telangana celebrated innovation and excellence across diverse sectors. The event, hosted by Outlook Business in collaboration with Business Mint brought together visionary leaders from start-ups, manufacturing, MSMEs, healthcare, automotive, hospitality, pharma, AI, and tech.

The event began with a warm welcome from Neeraj Thakur, Editor, Outlook Business setting the stage for a day of exploration into the evolving business landscape in India.

This was followed by an insightful panel discussion which was moderated by Amit Shanbaug, Associate Editor of Outlook Business.

The panel on ‘Innovative Leadership: Redefining Excellence in Challenging Times’ brought together industry leaders to share their experiences of navigating uncertainty. Badiga Srikanth, Director of Phoenix Group; Rajesh Shenoy, Director at Capgemini; Dr. Lalith Mohan Sangavarapu, Chief Product Officer at Quick Heal; and Bhardwaj, Senior Vice President of Sai Silks (Kalamandir), offered candid insights into how they have turned challenges like economic downturns, technological shifts, and even the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities for growth.

From balancing risk with caution to creating environments where teams feel empowered to experiment and innovate, the panelists highlighted the importance of adaptability and foresight. They shared real-world examples of how taking calculated risks led to breakthroughs and how anticipating market changes helped them stay ahead of the curve. It was a compelling conversation that left the audience with a fresh perspective on how resilience and bold leadership can redefine industries, even in the most challenging times.

At the Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards, noted actress Shriya Saran, the guest of honour, engaged in a heartfelt conversation with Shrutika Diwan, Chief Marketing Officer of the Outlook Group. Saran shared her journey of balancing motherhood and a thriving acting career, emphasizing the importance of time management and family support. Reflecting on her most personal role, she revealed how certain characters mirror her own growth. When asked about her timeless charm, she credited self-care and staying grounded. Her advice to aspiring actors? Stay passionate, adaptable, and continuously evolve to remain relevant in the ever-changing film industry.

The second panel discussion, ‘Building Resilient Teams: Fostering Innovation,’ explored how strong leadership can empower teams to thrive in uncertain times. Moderated by Neeraj Thakur, Editor of Outlook Business, the panel featured Kisshhan Psv, Chairman of the All India Robotics Association (AIRA); Harjeet Singh Kalsi, former Joint Managing Director at BHEL GE; Nethi Vamsidhar, Founder & Director of Valley Oak Junior College; and Vinod Bothale, Ex-Associate Director at NRSC/ISRO and Resident Expert at IN-SPACe, Department of Space.

The discussion centered on creating environments where adaptability, trust, and innovation flourish. Panelists shared insights on promoting psychological safety, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and learning from failures. They emphasized the importance of purpose-driven leadership, building trust, and motivating teams through prolonged challenges. It was a powerful dialogue on how resilient teams can turn adversity into opportunity and drive innovation forward. Mr. Chiranjib Das, CEO of SCAN Energy & Power Ltd, delivered the theme address during the morning session of the Spotlight event.

The Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards celebrated 64 remarkable individuals and organizations for their exceptional contributions across various sectors, showcasing leadership, innovation, and impact.

Vijay Vasudevan was awarded as the Financial Investment Advocate of the Year - 2024. Arjun Reddy Gajjala, Director - Prosperiti Homes, received the Sustainable Company of the Year - 2024 award. K. Jalandhar Reddy, Executive Director - KNR Constructions Ltd., was recognised for Excellence in Infrastructure Development.

Nikhil Vijayendra Simha, an Influencer, Actor, and Entrepreneur, was honored as a Game Changer in Event Experiences, while R.C. Rahul, Managing Director - Magnifiq Securities, was recognised for Leadership in Investment Solutions. Dr. Pavani Kadiyala, Chief Branding Officer - All India Robotics Association, received the Transformative Tech Branding Excellence Award.

In the service sector, Founder - Sunrise Drivers LLP, Mr. Jaypal Reddy, was recognised as the Most Trusted Partner for Reliable Driver Services, and Galaxy Dental Care was awarded Best Outstanding Multi-Specialty Dental Clinics in Hyderabad.

Veeresh Nathi, Founder & CEO - Vihaan Properties, was named Best Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year - 2024, and Catapult was celebrated as the Most Effective Event Promotion Company of the Year - 2024. Achint Jain, Founder - AJ Financial, was awarded the Young Leader of the Year - 2024, while Sai Silks (Kalamandir) Limited emerged as the Pioneer in Ethnic Retail Fashion.

In healthcare, Dr. Balaraju Naidu, Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon and Founder & Managing Director - Onus Robotic Hospitals, was named Best Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeon of the Year - 2024. Dr. Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Co-founder - Onus Heart Institute, received the Best Interventional Cardiologist of the Year - 2024 award. Dr. Puppala Ravi Kiran, Consultant General Physician and Group Medical Director, was honored as the Best 5th Generation General Physician of the Year - 2024, and Dr. BalaKrishna, Founder & Managing Director - Neo Vision Eye Hospital, received the Best Ophthalmologist of the Year - 2024.

Nethi Vamsidhar, Founder & Director - Valley Oak Junior College, was named a Game Changer in IIT-JEE Coaching. Monika Sharma, Founder - Meeram Salon, was awarded Trendsetter Salon of the Year - 2024, and Pavan Kumar SSV, Founder and CEO - Metro Properties, was recognised as the Most Promising Real Estate Consultant of the Year.

Chandu Reddy and Manikanta Sridhar Malladi, Co-founders & Managing Directors - MODCON Builders, were awarded for their Agartha Project, which won Best Sustainable Eco-Friendly Project of the Year - 2024. Sunrise Infra Properties Pvt. Ltd., led by Chairman - P. Anji Reddy, received the Most Trusted Real Estate Partner Award.

In the creative space, Lester Fernandes, Associate Vice President - Creative Services, Arha Media & Broadcasting Private Limited, was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Regional Arts and Entertainment at the South India Film Festival (SIFF). Amar Putta, Founder - Eternal Talent Network, was awarded for Best Leadership in Talent Management.

The entertainment industry honored Nikhil Siddhartha, an Indian actor, with the Unique Sensation award, while Shravya Varma, Celebrity Costume Designer, was recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to Film Styling. Srikanth Kidambi, an Indian badminton player, was celebrated as the Player of the Decade for his phenomenal achievements in the sport.

APD Developers, led by Founder Bijju Dhatthadri and Directors Bijju Santhosh Kumar, Bijju Mahendranath, Bijju Jagadhishwar, and Jakkula Chandra Shekar, received the award for Excellence in Land Development and Investment Opportunities. Additionally, Akshitha Reddy Murramganti, Founder of GoGo Bowls, was honored as the Emerging Women Entrepreneur in the Food Supply Chain.

This distinguished event showcased resilience and excellence across diverse fields, inspiring others to push boundaries and achieve new heights.

Sushil Kumar, CEO of MPF Style Club, delivered the Theme Address, setting an inspiring tone for the evening. The first session concluded with a heartfelt Thank You Note by Mr. Vinay Kanth Korapati, Founder & CEO of Business Mint, expressing gratitude to all attendees and honorees for their remarkable contributions.

Post the engaging morning session, Neeraj Thakur, editor of Outlook Business welcomed the audience with a warm address kick starting the second session of the Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards.

This was followed by panel discussion on ‘The Power of Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Fueling Industry Innovation’ at the Outlook Business Spotlight event focused into how unconventional, creative thinking drives significant change across industries.

Moderated by Amit Shanbaug, Associate Editor at Outlook Business, the session featured insightful discussions from Dr Pritee Sharma, a renowned vascular and endovascular surgeon; Sai Apuroop Gollu, Director and Business Head at Prismos Beauty; Durga Prasad Madasu, CEO of Square Business Services; and YS Sneha Reddy, Founder of Avoca.India, a luxury beauty salon. The panelists shared their inspiring journeys of challenging traditional norms, embracing risk, and introducing innovative solutions that have reshaped their respective sectors. They highlighted the importance of bold, out-of-the-box thinking in creating breakthrough advancements and discussed how balancing risk and reward has been essential to their success.

The spotlight then shifted to the unveiling of the cover featuring noted actress Keerthy Suresh. This was followed by an engaging fireside chat with the talented actress and Shrutika Dewan, CMO of Outlook Group. The conversation focused into Keerthy’s remarkable journey in the film industry, where she shared what motivates her to consistently deliver award-winning performances. She spoke about her approach to taking on roles that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and how she continues to grow with every new project. The actress also shared a glimpse of her upcoming work, leaving fans eager for what’s next. Additionally, Keerthy spoke about her personal investment philosophy, sharing how her approach to both her career and finances has shaped her success in ways beyond the screen.

The second panel discussion at the Outlook Business Spotlight event, titled Sustainable Growth through Innovation: Balancing Profit and Progress, explored how organisations are achieving long-term success by integrating innovation with sustainability. Moderated by Neeraj Thakur, Editor of Outlook Business, the panel featured key insights from Dr. Sunil Adusumilli, Managing Director of Xurious; Karuna Gopal, President - Foundation for Futuristic Cities, Board Director - Engineers India Ltd, Govt of India; and Jaya Pavan (JP) Gummadi, Managing Director of Prosperiti Homes.

The discussion focused on the importance of sustainable growth over short-term profits and how businesses are leveraging innovation to balance profitability with sustainable practices. The panelists also highlighted the need for business models that prioritise sustainability at their core and explored how digital transformation can play a vital role in reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and optimising production processes for greater environmental impact.

This was followed by the much awaited award function. The much-anticipated Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards recognised exceptional individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions across various industries. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of leaders who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.

Among the rising stars were Sheikh Mairajul Haque and Sashikant Barik, the dynamic Co-Founders of Acrerise, who were recognised as Visionary Leaders of Tomorrow. Their passion and foresight have propelled their company to remarkable heights, embodying the essence of transformative leadership.

In the retail space, Vijetha Supermarkets Pvt. Ltd. stood tall as the Most Trusted Grocery Chain. Under the guidance of CMD Mr. Jagan Mohan Rao and a talented leadership team, including Smt. Krishnaveni, Mr. Sandeep Chowdary Murakonda, and Mr. Siddharth Murakonda, the brand continues to win the hearts of customers with its commitment to quality and value.

The spotlight also shone on Vanaja Reddy Solipuram, the driving force behind VRS Logistics, for her groundbreaking work in transportation. Recognised as a Top Innovator in Transportation Services, Vanaja’s efforts to modernise and streamline logistics are a testament to her ingenuity.

In design and innovation, Deltra Global Profiles Pvt. Ltd., led by Founder-Director R.V. Kanan, was celebrated for offering Best Interior and Exterior Design Solutions. Meanwhile, T. Vikram Kumar of TNR Views - UPVC Windows & Doors garnered praise for Excellence in Soundproofing Technology, delivering both functionality and innovation to the industry.

Real estate, often called the backbone of any economy, saw its share of stars. Meghna Maram from Maram Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. was applauded for her relentless pursuit of excellence in project delivery, while Fuji Halcyon by Real Plus Homes—led by Kasinath Kyasa, Himanshu Bapna, Ravi Mattapalli, and Mannan—was celebrated for creating the Best Sustainable Luxury Project of the Year - 2024.

Individuals making waves in their own unique ways were also celebrated. Mary Matha, a renowned Law of Attraction and Money Coach, continues to empower people across Telugu-speaking regions, earning her the title of Visionary Coach in Telugu. On the financial front, Kankipati Prasad of Dhanavarsha Mutually Aided Co-operative Thrift Society Ltd. was lauded for driving rural economic development through inclusive financial solutions.

The evening also paid tribute to style and creativity. Harmann Kaur, a celebrity stylist, took home the title of Stylist of the Year - 2024, while actress Nabha Natesh dazzled as the Style Icon of the Year - 2024.

In the education space, Shilpa Reddy, founder of Ekam Early Learning Centre, was celebrated for her outstanding work in shaping young minds. Her innovative early development initiatives have transformed the way education is approached.

The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and thriving, with Girish Mallpani of MPM Group recognised as a Visionary Real Estate Leader, and Hyma Sri Vanavasam of Issara Belmond earning the Women Leadership Award for her inspiring contributions to leadership and innovation.

Parenting coach Kandukurthi Soujanya, who has been a beacon of guidance for families, was named the Most Inspiring Parenting Coach of the Year - 2024. Her work is helping families navigate challenges with confidence and compassion.

In lifestyle and talent, brands like RWDY, helmed by Anand Deverakonda, were celebrated for redefining Iconic Indian streetwear, while SouthBay Talent, led by CEO Prashanth Potluri, was recognised for pushing boundaries in talent collaboration. Rajeev Ranjan of Spirit Media earned accolades for his outstanding contributions to media partnerships on a global scale.

The healthcare sector also had its share of stars. Dr. Pritee Sharma’s tireless work in vascular surgery earned her much-deserved recognition, while Sushil Kumar of MPF Style Club was applauded for building a leading lifestyle brand.

Also among the awardees was Sai Apuroop Gollu, Director & Business Head of Prismos Beauty, who received the Transformational Beauty Award of the Year 2024. The co-founders of AVOCA.INDIA, YS Sneha Reddy and Dr. K Anjali Reddy, were honoured with the Best Luxury Salon of the Year 2024 award. Mandala Aman Raj, Partner at Manohar Constructions, won the Best Turnkey Construction and Project Delivery Award. Other notable awardees include Yelishala Hemchandra, Director of Vaishnaoi Group, who was recognised for the Most Admired Upcoming Project of the Year 2024, and Vadlakunta Madhusudhana Rao, Managing Director of Akshita Infra Pvt Ltd, along with Achyut Gupta, Vice-President, who jointly received the Emerging Real Estate Developer of the Year 2024 award.

The Best Agri-Business of the Year 2024 award was presented to Vivek Raj Bikarnakatte, Chairman & CEO of Panama Corporation Ltd, while Deepak Hegde, Founder of Parabola, earned the Excellence in Employee Feedback Analysis award. Additionally, Sri Meka Vara Prasad, Managing Director of Hotel SVM Grand, was recognised with the Best Hospitality Group award.

Other standout winners included Rushvik Reddy Yasa, Founder & Managing Director of Glamp Inn Valley, awarded the Hidden Gem of South India (Staycation Category), and Ms. Nagu Reddy and Priyanka Reddy, Managing Directors of Zennara Clinics, who were celebrated for the Best Cosmetic and Aesthetic Clinic.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt recognition of Mr. Venu Kalyan, a life and business coach who has inspired countless individuals to aim higher and achieve more. Named an Outstanding Business Growth Strategist, his strategies are transforming lives and businesses alike.

The Outlook Business Spotlight Entity Awards not only honoured these outstanding individuals and organisations but also served as a powerful source of inspiration, highlighting the spirit of excellence and innovation that drives progress and transformation across industries.

Sushil Kumar, CEO of MPF Style Club, delivered the Theme Address, and the event concluded with a heartfelt Thank You Note by Mr. Vinay Kanth Korapati, Founder & CEO of Business Mint.