ICAI Celebrates International MSME Day; Hosts National ScaleUp India Summit 2026 to Strengthen MSME and Startup Ecosystem

Marking International MSME Day, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), through its Committee on MSME & Startup, convened the two-day ICAI ScaleUp India Summit 2026 for MSMEs and startups on 26–27 June 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The summit gathered policymakers, industry leaders, investors, chartered accountants, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem enablers to accelerate growth, innovation, and access to finance for small businesses and emerging ventures.

The event received wide institutional support, including from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, National Small Industries Corporation, Laghu Udyog Bharati, All India Association of Industries, NSE, i-Hub, CAIT, FICCI FLO, SIDBI, leading banks, and other ecosystem partners. Stakeholders and delegates included representatives from NABARD, Bank of India, NaBFID, Bank of Baroda, NKGSB Co-operative Bank, T-Hub and I-Hub leadership, NSE, and several prominent financial institutions.

Inaugural and Dignitaries

The summit opened on 26 June 2026 in the presence of Shri Rahul Narwekar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, as Guest of Honour. The inauguration was led by CA. Prasanna Kumar D, President, ICAI, and CA. Mangesh Kinare, Vice President, ICAI, joined by CA. Gyan Chandra Misra, Chairman, Committee on MSME & Startup, CA. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Vice Chairman, and members of the Central and Regional Councils.

Championing Entrepreneurial Growth

Emphasizing ICAI’s role as a partner in nation-building, the ICAI President highlighted that the ScaleUp India Summit brings MSMEs and startups onto a single platform to navigate the full entrepreneurial journey—from idea to enterprise to scale. He underscored that chartered accountants, with their deep understanding of business lifecycles, governance, risk, finance, and compliance, are well placed to mentor and guide founders for sustainable, responsible growth.

Addressing the gathering, the ICAI Vice President noted that while multiple government schemes support MSMEs, awareness and last-mile reach remain critical. The summit aimed to bridge that gap by disseminating information on benefits, eligibility, and processes, encouraging more registrations and enabling businesses to leverage available incentives and credit frameworks effectively.

Start-Up Scale-Up Tank: Showcasing Innovation

A key highlight of the summit was the “Start-Up Scale-Up Tank,” a curated platform where selected startups presented to seasoned investors and industry experts, opening avenues for funding, collaboration, and market access. Over 100 startups participated, with 12 finalists pitching to a panel of six leading venture capitalists, reflecting the growing depth and ambition of India’s innovation pipeline.

Knowledge Tracks and Panels

The two-day program featured technical sessions and panel discussions addressing immediate needs and future opportunities across the MSME and startup landscape. Themes included:

• The next big wave: startups shaping tomorrow’s industries and opportunities for professionals
• Data protection and cybersecurity in the new economy
• Careers and capital flows in investment banking and venture capital
• Resolving payment delays through MSME Samadhaan and online dispute resolution
• SME IPOs and pathways to public markets
• Working capital solutions for MSMEs
• Government e-Marketplace (GeM), ECLGS 5.0, and digital marketplaces as growth channels

Eminent experts from industry, finance, and policy— including voices from NeSL, NaBFID, Ratnaafin Capital, SEBI, and M1xchange—shared insights on formalization, credit enablement, receivables financing, regulatory readiness, and the digital rails powering faster, more inclusive growth.

Strengthening the MSME and Startup Ecosystem

The summit underscored the importance of integrated support—policy clarity, investor engagement, market linkages, and professional advisory—to help businesses build resilience and scale. Discussions emphasized:

• Improving credit access through data-driven underwriting, alternative financing, and supply-chain finance
• Enhancing compliance, governance, and risk management for investor confidence
• Leveraging technology for productivity, cybersecurity, and digital sales channels
• Accelerating dispute resolution and payment cycles to ease cash flow constraints
• Using public procurement platforms and the capital markets to unlock growth

Outcomes and Way Forward

By convening government bodies, lenders, investors, and entrepreneurs under one roof, the ScaleUp India Summit served as a practical knowledge exchange and a catalyst for partnerships. It helped founders understand financing options, regulatory pathways, and market opportunities, while positioning chartered accountants as strategic partners in growth, governance, and capital readiness.

Aligned with International MSME Day, the summit reaffirmed ICAI’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, strengthening the MSME backbone of the economy, and enabling sustainable development through professional excellence and proactive policy engagement. With continued mentoring, awareness-building, and ecosystem collaboration, ICAI aims to support enterprises from inception to scale—translating ideas into impact across India’s vibrant business landscape.