Global RISE 2026 Begins 15-City India Journey from Ahmedabad, Putting MSME Global Growth in Focus

Global RISE brings businesses and industry leaders together around FTAs, technology, finance and the capabilities needed to compete in global markets

Ahmedabad, August 19, 2026: As India’s expanding trade relationships create new market opportunities, the conversation for businesses is increasingly shifting from whether to go global to how - to - build for global growth. This was the central theme at Global RISE 2026 - Ahmedabad Edition, organised by SMBConnect at Gateway Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhavan on Wednesday.

The Ahmedabad edition brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts from across manufacturing, FMCG, logistics, technology, finance and international trade, with discussions focusing on the practical building blocks of global growth - understanding new markets, strengthening supply chains, adopting technology, accessing finance and building the right business networks.

The gathering was also joined by Shri Babubhai Jamnadas Patel as Chief Guest, alongside business and industry leaders participating in the day’s proceedings. His presence added to an edition centred on Gujarat’s entrepreneurial strength and the growing opportunities for businesses to look beyond domestic markets.

Ahmedabad marked the beginning of Global RISE 2026 - The Next Phase of India’s Growth, SMBConnect’s 15-city initiative aimed at taking conversations around India’s changing trade landscape and global business opportunities closer to regional business communities across the country.

Speaking at the event, Sandipan Ray, Founder & Director, SMBConnect, said:

“There is a reason Gujarat has produced businesses that have grown from local markets into national and global enterprises. Gujaratis understand business instinctively. They know the markets, they understand value and, most importantly, they have the appetite to build. At SMBConnect, we have always worked to bring businesses closer to the right connections, knowledge and opportunities, and Global RISE takes that mission towards global markets. With technology making it easier to scale and India’s expanding trade relationships opening new doors, we want more Indian businesses to be able to explore how far they can go.”

Global opportunity, but with a local business lens

Global RISE discussions focused on how growing Indian businesses can participate more actively in international trade and global value chains as India’s expanding Free Trade Agreements open access to new markets. In Gujarat’s context, speakers highlighted the opportunity to leverage the state’s established strengths in manufacturing, entrepreneurship and trade to drive exports and build greater global competitiveness.

The discussions combined perspectives on both emerging global opportunities and the experience of Gujarat businesses already building for larger markets. Dr Jaimin Vasa, Chairman and Managing Director, Vasa Group of Companies, addressed the opportunities India’s evolving global trade landscape presents for small businesses, while Rajesh Sharma, AGM - Operations: International Business, Vadilal Group, brought an export and supply-chain perspective. A fireside conversation with Harsh Shah, Non-Executive Director, Gopal Snacks, further brought the experience of scaling a homegrown Gujarat business into focus.

Technology moves closer to the business agenda

Another clear theme emerging from the Ahmedabad edition was the changing role of technology - from being an operational support function to becoming part of how businesses sell, serve customers, manage infrastructure and prepare for scale.

Cloud and managed technology services were represented by XcellHost Cloud Services, with Samir Jhaveri, Managing Director, bringing perspective on the technology infrastructure required as businesses grow and digitise.

AI adoption was brought into a practical business context through SOLO by Interakt, an AI Business Team designed to support businesses across functions such as marketing, lead engagement and customer conversations. A session led by Rupanshi Singla, Associate Director - Growth and Strategy, Haptik, further explored how businesses can begin building and deploying AI-led capabilities.

The wider technology conversation also included perspectives from Oracle, GESIA IT Association, digiXLT Consulting, HiveStrat and FUJI Silvertech Concrete, particularly around the future of manufacturing and the increasing intersection of technology, productivity and global competitiveness.

The presence of trade, technology and industry was central to the Global RISE format, reflecting the fact that businesses preparing for their next phase of growth often need multiple parts of the ecosystem to move together.

From information to business connections

Beyond the stage discussions, the Ahmedabad edition was designed around interaction between businesses and the wider ecosystem.

Participants had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, technology and financial solution providers, logistics specialists, business associations and fellow entrepreneurs through networking sessions held during the day.

The programme culminated with The Global RISE Awards 2026, recognising enterprises and business leaders for achievement across areas of growth and business excellence. Chief Guest Shri Babubhai Jamnadas Patel joined the proceedings alongside SMBConnect Founder & Director Sandipan Ray, participating in the recognition of businesses and leaders at the Ahmedabad edition.

For SMBConnect, the Ahmedabad edition also reinforced the larger objective behind Global RISE: to create a platform where conversations around global opportunities are accompanied by connections businesses can continue to build on after the event.

A 15-city conversation on India’s next growth phase

Ahmedabad forms part of the wider 15-city Global RISE 2026 series, which will take the platform across business centres in India through December.

The series is being built around a common question: as India develops deeper global trade relationships and businesses gain access to new technology, capital and markets, how can more Indian enterprises participate in the opportunity?

Global RISE will continue this conversation across its upcoming editions, bringing each region’s business strengths into the wider discussion around Build. Scale. Export.

Event Highlights

Highlights from the Global RISE 2026 - Ahmedabad Edition, including photographs, speaker moments and key conversations from the event, are available on SMBConnect’s official social media channels.

View the event highlights: [Global RISE Ahmedabad Highlights]

About Global RISE 2026

Global RISE 2026 – The Next Phase of India’s Growth is a 15-city business series by SMBConnect focused on connecting Indian businesses with opportunities and stakeholders across global trade, Free Trade Agreements, technology, finance, exports and market access.

Visit for more information: https://globalrise2026.the-rise.in

About SMBConnect

SMBConnect is a 13-year-old business community and ecosystem platform focused on helping small and medium businesses connect, learn and grow through communities, business conferences, industry engagement and access to relevant knowledge, networks and opportunities.

Visit for more information: https://the-rise.in

Media Contact:
Ranjeeta Rastogi
[Communication Specialist]
[ranjeeta.rastogi@redefine.in]
[9650-302-564]