The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the world’s largest accounting body, inaugurated the MSME & Startup Conclave 2025 in Mumbai on the eve of International MSME Day. The two-day conclave aims to empower India’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering financial expertise, regulatory guidance, and strategic mentorship to over 25,000 MSMEs across the country.
With the theme FATHOM—an acronym for the six key pillars of MSME success: Finance, Accounting, Tech Support, Human Resources, Operations, and Marketing—the conclave reflects ICAI’s mission to support India’s transition to a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for MSME, Government of India; CA. Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister and Chancellor of Rishihood University; CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, President of ICAI; CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice-President of ICAI; CA. Gyan Chandra Misra, Chairman of the Committee on MSME & Startups, ICAI; and CA. Arpit Jagdish Kabra, Vice-Chairman of the same committee. The conclave was also attended by several Central and Regional Council Members of ICAI, making it a high-impact gathering of leadership and expertise.
Driving India’s Entrepreneurial Future:
In his keynote, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for MSME, remarked: “Regulation is the foundation of sustainable and inclusive growth. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, MSMEs are playing a defining role in building an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. Chartered Accountants will be critical partners in guiding MSMEs through compliance, innovation, and expansion. ICAI’s collaboration with the MSME Ministry will unlock new opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, and national growth.”
Adding to this vision, CA. Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister, noted: “You cannot have a developed India without developed MSMEs. They are the highest contributors to innovation, employment, and exports. ICAI must lead the way in building sustainable supply chains and enabling MSMEs to meet global standards.”
ICAI’s Commitment to MSMEs:
In his presidential address, CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda emphasized ICAI’s long-standing commitment to nation-building: “From 1,700 members to being the largest accounting body globally, ICAI’s journey mirrors India’s rise. Supporting 25,000 MSMEs through our 179 branches is just the beginning. Tomorrow, we will sign a landmark MoU with NSIC in the presence of the Hon’ble President of India, marking a new chapter in our efforts to uplift the MSME sector.”
CA. Prasanna Kumar D, Vice-President, ICAI, added: “Chartered Accountants are key to formalizing and mentoring MSMEs. Our initiatives—from the ‘100 Days, 100 Cities’ MSME Yatra to weekly MSME Clinics—aim to provide real-time support and capacity building across the nation.”
CA. Gyan Chandra Misra, Chairman, Committee on MSME & Startups, ICAI, declared: “MSMEs are our economic backbone and our biggest employment generators. On this special occasion, ICAI pledges to handhold at least 1 lakh MSMEs across 179 branches in a single day—marking a national movement to educate and elevate these enterprises.”
The two-day event is designed to offer real-time solutions, expert insights, and collaborative opportunities that strengthen India’s MSME and startup landscape. Key Focus Areas at the Conclave:
- Policy & Regulatory Frameworks:
Discussions on enabling policies and compliance strategies for MSMEs to thrive in a structured and sustainable manner. - Funding Access & Financial Inclusion:
Exploring contemporary funding avenues—from traditional lending to alternative finance models—that can unlock growth for early-stage businesses. - Digital Transformation & Tech Enablement:
Panels focusing on how digital tools, automation, and AI can help MSMEs scale efficiently and stay competitive in the evolving market. - MSME Clinics (1:1 Advisory):
Real-time, one-on-one consultations addressing business challenges related to operations, finance, legal, and strategy. - Startup Pitch Platform – 3P (Pitch | Pivot | Prosper):
A live platform for startups to present their business ideas, receive feedback, and connect with mentors and investors. - Networking & Mentorship:
Facilitated interactions between industry veterans, CAs, and emerging business leaders aimed at fostering future collaborations.
The ICAI MSME & Startup Conclave 2025 marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey to becoming a global economic powerhouse. By bringing together over 3,000 participants, including policymakers, CAs, investors, and innovators, ICAI is reaffirming its leadership in shaping India’s financial, entrepreneurial, and governance landscape. With a mission to support 25,000 MSMEs, and a vision aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047, ICAI is playing a transformative role in empowering India’s most dynamic growth segment—the MSME and startup ecosystem.
