Celebrating the grit and innovation of India’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), CNBC-TV18, in collaboration with HSBC India, hosted the grand finale of the HSBC Presents CNBC-TV18 SME Champion Awards S2 on July 25, 2025, at the prestigious Taj Mahal, New Delhi. The awards night stood as a powerful tribute to the backbone of India’s economy—its entrepreneurs—and was graced by some of the most influential voices in governance, industry, and finance.

The evening opened with a rousing address by Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18, who reiterated the network’s enduring commitment to the real economy. “SMEs are not just businesses; they are the drivers of employment, innovation, and resilience. From weathering pandemic disruptions to embracing digital change, they have continually adapted and led from the front. These awards honour that remarkable spirit,” she said.

As per the press release, the event featured Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India, as Guest of Honour. He praised the silent yet transformative work being done by entrepreneurs across India, stating, “The rise of our SMEs—from the smallest towns to the remotest villages—is not a future vision, it’s already unfolding. With innovations in digital infrastructure like UPI, 46% of global digital transactions now originate from Bharat. This isn’t just digital progress—it’s digital leadership.”

Another keynote came from Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State in the Ministry of MSME & Labour and Employment, who called SMEs “vehicles of social transformation.” She emphasized how India’s MSME policies are empowering women, SC/ST entrepreneurs, and rural business owners. “By 2047, India’s growth will be powered by bold, inclusive enterprises rising from its MSME sector,” she declared.

The awards honoured outstanding SMEs across various verticals including exports, manufacturing, sustainability, digital transformation, and community impact. Special Jury Awards went to standout entrepreneurs, including the SME Entrepreneur of the Year and SME Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Awards were presented by Shri Scindia, Smt. Karandlaje, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary of India, and Ajay Sharma, Head – Banking, HSBC India.

The eminent jury included names such as Dinesh Kumar Khara (Former SBI Chairperson), Subhash Chandra Garg (Former Finance Secretary), B Thiagarajan (MD, Blue Star), Shashank Srivastava (Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.), Subhrakant Panda (Former FICCI President), Chandrakant Salunkhe (SME Chamber of India), and Manish Singhal (ASSOCHAM).

A fireside chat with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh offered deep insights into the role of SMEs in India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. “True power lies not just in the weapons we use, but in our ability to build them ourselves. Our SMEs are now crucial in creating resilient and agile defence supply chains,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, spotlighted the bank’s responsibility toward the SME sector. “Viksit Bharat won’t be built on slogans alone. We’re here to help entrepreneurs scale globally by bridging the access gap. Running a ₹20 crore business can often be tougher than managing a multibillion-dollar one—and these awards are our way of saluting that journey,” he stated.

The evening ended on a high note with a soul-stirring performance by Mame Khan, leaving the audience deeply moved and inspired.

With this successful second edition, the HSBC Presents CNBC-TV18 SME Champion Awards have cemented their place as the premier recognition platform for India’s SME ecosystem—one that not only honours excellence but also underscores the critical role of small businesses in India’s journey to becoming a global economic powerhouse.